What the heck is this Fringe thing??

Click on the links below to find out all sorts of history and information about the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival.
BTW, tickets are not on sale yet for the 2010 Fringe but you can get a jump on details and be ready for the spring by watching video from last year:

Questions:




Answers:

General Info:

  • Phone: 407-648-0077
  • myspace.com/orlandofringe : Orlando Fringe on Myspace
  • myspace.com/orlandofringe
  • News blog: Up-to-the-second news
  • Join our Fringe mailing list by e-mailing us at producer@orlandofringe.org
  • visit the Fringe info booth at Orlando Shakes during Fringe operating hours May 20th-31st. Box Office hours on weekdays are 4pm-midnite on weekends 10am-midnite. On Patron’s Pick May 31st, the hours are 10am-11pm.

    Box offices are located in the lobby of The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre and the back lobby of The Orlando Rep. There are NO PHONE SALES.




What is The Fringe?
A 12-day-festival that is founded on the concept of offering 100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible theatre, music, dance, art and madness to all types and ages where 100% of the box office ticket sales go directly back to the artists within The Fringe. The Orlando Fringe is the longest running US Fringe festival.


What is The Fringe Mission?
The mission of the Orlando Fringe is to provide an accessible, affordable outlet that draws diverse elements of the community together and inspires creative excellence through the arts.



What is the history of the Fringe?

The history of Fringe Festivals began in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947. There, a number of performing artists who were not official participants of the Edinburgh International Festival (whose participants are invited by its General Director) decided to produce their own work in empty stores and church basements. Thus, their work was staged literally "on the fringe" of the established festival. The concept was an immediate success and the Fringe soon became as - if not more - popular as the "official" Edinburgh Festival.

Following the example of the Edinburgh Fringe, other Fringe Festivals sprang up in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia in the following decades, many of which follow the true Fringe philosophy - to provide artists with the opportunity to show their work in an uncensored and unjuried environment and to give 100% of ticket sales back to them - to this day. Today, there are more Fringe Festivals in Canada than in any other country.

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival was created in 1992 by Terry Olson (now Director of the Orange County Divison of Arts and Cultural Affairs). At first, the festival was held in downtown Orlando, with most venues being created in empty storefronts specifically for the festival. This continued until 2004, when the festival was split between downtown Orlando and Loch Haven Park (where Orlando's two biggest theatre complexes, The Orlando REP and The Orlando Shakespeare Theater, are located). The move to Loch Haven proved a success and so, from 2005 on, the festival has been entirely in Loch Haven Park, utilizing The Orlando Shakespeare Theater a venue.

The Orlando Fringe is now the longest running US Fringe and is part of the CAFF (Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals) circuit, which allows Fringe artists to tour many different Fringe Festivals throughout North America and which requires all of its festivals to follow the original Fringe philosophy (100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible for artists and audiences alike, 100% of ticket sales given back to the artists).




When is the festival?
Each year, the festival takes place during the 12 days leading up to Memorial Day.
The 2010 Fringe is from May 20th - 31st.


Where does the festival take place?

Loch Haven Park-
Over 20 vendors selling a plethora of food, beverage and wares.
KIDS FRINGE activities on the weekends between 10am-4pm.
FREE TO THE PUBLIC- OutDoor Stage full of poetry, music, dancing and open-mic.
The Infamous FRINGE BEER TENT- Offering beer and wine for $4 donations to benefit FRINGE.

Orlando Shakespeare Theatre- 812 E. Rollins St.
Venues inside Shakespeare Theatre include:
PINK VENUE- Mandell Theatre
BROWN VENUE-Orlando Philharmonic Rehearsal Hall
Patron's Round Room (Visual Fringe and StoryTelling)
RED VENUE- Darden Courtyard
YELLOW VENUE- The Goldman Theatre
ORANGE VENUE- The Margeson Theatre
BLUE VENUE- Studio D

Orlando REP Theatre- 1001 E. Princeton St.
Venues inside Orlando REP
SILVER VENUE- Bush Theatre
GREEN VENUE- Tupperware Theate
(MAP)


Where do I learn about the shows?
CLICK HERE


Our Festival Policies:

  • No Button = NO show entry (no exceptions)
  • No Late Entry to shows (no exceptions)
  • No refunds given for any reason other than show cancellation.(no exceptions)



Festival Payment Policies:
  • We do not take checks. No checks are accepted for tickets, buttons, merchandise or vendors.
  • Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover for show tickets, artwork and donations.
  • Cash only for buttons.
  • Cash only for Beer Tent
  • An ATM is available at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center main lobby.



Show Policies
  • All Fringe shows start on time and once the doors are closed, no entry is allowed. Please give yourself PLENTY of time to get to your shows. Lines can be long, so buying your tickets online in advance is strongly suggested and encouraged!
  • If a show runs over its allotted time, it will be cut off. We are on a VERY tight schedule with the large number of shows in the festival - so there are no exceptions. Please understand this may happen.
  • No food or drink allowed into the theatres.
  • No unapproved photography or video recording devices of any kind allowed in theatres.
  • Please put cell phones to vibrate in the theatres.
  • There is no re-entry to venues allowed.



Where can I get a hard copy Fringe Program?
When you buy your Fringe button at the festival box office, merch booth or info booth you will recieve a program. Additional programs cost $1.


What are the operating hours of the festival?
May 14th-25th. Box Office hours on weekdays are 4pm-midnite on weekends 10am-midnite. On Patron’s Pick May 31st, hours are 10am-11pm. Box offices are located in the lobby of The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre and the back lobby of The Orlando Rep.



What's the deal with The FRINGE button?
A Fringe button is required to enter ANY Fringe show within ANY venue.
The button costs $8 and is a one time purchase. Button proceeds go to the Fringe. Patrons MUST have Fringe buttons on to enter the venues.

A Fringe button is NOT required for Visual Fringe, Kids Fringe or to hang out in the beer tent!

If you forget to bring your button, you will have to purchase another.

Fringe buttons cannot be purchased online, ONLY in person at the Fringe Box Office at Lowndes Shakespeare Center during the operating hours of the festival.


How do I buy tickets for Fringe shows?

ONLINE
You can go online to HYPERLINK www.orlandofringe.org, click on shows, click on the show you are interested in buying tickets for and follow the prompts.

2010 Orlando Fringe tix go onsale on online on Monday, April 26th!!!!

AT THE ORLANDO REP FRINGE BOX OFFICE

AT THE FESTIVAL
At the festival, you can purchase tickets at the Fringe Festival Box
Office which is located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. The Fringe Box Office opens at 4pm on weekdays and 9:30am on weekends, and closes at midnight.

There are NO PHONE SALES!
Please do not call the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre box office at Lowndes Shakespeare Center or the box office at the Orlando Repertory Theatre or the Fringe Office!


How much are tickets?
Each performing group determines his/her own ticket price. The average range is from $5-$10. There is a $1 ticket surcharge on each ticket purchased that goes to the ticketing system. Credit card fees apply as well. 100% of box office sales go directly to the artists in the show you purchase tickets for. No cut of ticket sales goes to The Fringe.


Are any discounts offered?
Yes. The artists themselves decide if they offer a discount and what kind of discount it is. Discounts apply ONLY when purchasing tickets in person at the Fringe box office. If a discount is offered by an arts group it will be $2 off their regular price.


Is there parking?
There is FREE parking (about 500 spaces) within the Loch Haven Park facilities. It is on a first come, first serve basis. There is also a big parking garage across the street at The Science Center. This is a private lot and it will cost you from $2-7 to park there. There is also limited street parking around the area. Absolutely NO parking can happen on the grass within the park or within the no parking zones, because your car will be towed. Allow yourself plenty of time to park, get your tickets and get to your venues.


What are the show ratings and what do they mean?
Show ratings are determined by the artists themselves, not The Fringe. Shows are required to list their warnings. No one under 18 will be allowed into a mature show without a parent or legal guardian. Remember, Fringe is uncensored, so please take the warnings associated with mature shows seriously.

  • KIDS FRINGE: Shows catered to kids and appropriate for all ages
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY: G-rated (not necessarily geared to children, but appropriate for them to see).
  • GENERAL AUDIENCE: All-ages. With no material harsher than you would see on regular non-cable TV.
  • MATURE: If a show is mature, it means that it has warnings associated with it: Language, violence, adult themes, content, nudity etc.



How long are the shows?
Artists determine the length of their shows. Times range from 30-90 minutes. Most Fringe shows are 60 minutes long. The times are in the program and online at orlandofringe.org


Are the Fringe venues handicap accessible?
YES. All venues can accommodate for wheelchair needs. Please speak to the venue captain to assist you with early seating.


Is there food at Fringe?
YES. Fringe vendors offer a wide range of food choices from exotic to traditional. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike will find something to tempt their palate!

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR VENDORS AT FRINGE:
Most of our vendors are cash only. There will be 2 ATM's on site. One in The Green Lawn of Fabulousness and the other in Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Lobby.

Last year at the 2009 our Vendors included:

Elite Foods Soul Food
Goode & Plenti Cuban Food
Pete’s Roadside Grill Fried fish and Shrimp Baskets
Trent’s Pure BBQ BBQ Chicken and Sandwiches
Winkel’s Conessions Soft Ice Cream
Franny’s Sandwiches and Salads
Loving Hut Vegan Food
Starbucks Coffee and Such
House of Sweets Roasted Nuts and Lemonade
Outback Snack Shack Fair Food Cotton Candy and Funnel Cakes
BJD Events Greek Food
Anthony’s Eats and Treats Hot Dogs
Arctic Ice Italian Ice
Nick’s Dipping Dots Frozen Ice Cream Dots
Tattoos4U Airbrush Tattoos and Face Painting
Sunshine Massage Chair Massage
Simply Well Bath and Body Products
Ken’s Kettle Korn Flavored Popcorn

Other Vendors:
Wanzie Presents/Parliament House Tent
DeweyTeeVee.com (conduction interviews for social network promotion)
Fringe Poetry Vending Machine (creating poetry just for you -all proceeds benefit Orlando Fringe)




How do I sign up to volunteer?
Sign up by filling out the form and choosing "Become a Volunteer" from the drop down menu.


What is KIDS FRINGE?
Kids fringe is tailored just for kids! There are shows, workshops, art projects, and activities that allow children to experience aspects of theatre, art and dance. Kids Fringe is FREE and takes place in Loch Haven Park on weekends during the Fringe.


What is Visual Fringe?
Visit the Visual Fringe page for information on Visual Fringe. Visual Fringe is the art component of the Fringe. Check out the walls of the Lowndes Shakespeare Center and the Patrons room for visual art by local artists. All artwork is for sale! Visual Fringe applications become available in January and can then be found on the Applications page.


How can I perform on the outdoor stage?
We welcome all forms of General Audience art (dance, music, poetry, comedy etc.). Please contact our Outdoor Events Coordinator Jae Nale for an application and more info at Jae1432@aol.com. The cost for non-Fringe perfomers is $50, discounts will be offered depending on for how long/how often the stage is booked.


How do I get into the festival with my own show?
Performer applications are available here online for the upcoming year between Sept. 1st and Nov. 15th.


I want to be a vendor at The Fringe. What is the process?
Visit orlandofringe.org/apply and download and application and submit. The cost to vend food vendors is $750 and for non-food vendors it is $350. For more info contact Outdoor Events Coordinator Jae Nale at Jae1432@aol.com.


I want to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for The Fringe. How do I do that?
Fringe has many levels of sponsorship beginning at $1000. To receive a sponsorship package, simply call the office at 407-648-0077 x2 and ask for Director of Development Kristina Goetz or email her at Kristina@orlandofringe.org. There are still opportunities available for sponsorship for the 2009 Fringe.
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