The 34th annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, presented by City Beverages, was held May 13–26, 2025, in Loch Haven Park. Under the theme “Let Your Fringe Flag Fly,” the event featured performances from over 1,400 artists representing a range of disciplines and geographic backgrounds.
Spanning 14 days, the festival included 107 shows across various genres such as theater, dance, spoken word, musicals, comedy, and interdisciplinary works. Organizers reported approximately 55,000 attendees throughout the event.
“This year hit different,” Tempestt Halstead, Artistic Director, said. “It was one of our strongest festivals yet because the energy was undeniable. Artists brought their whole selves, and audiences didn’t just watch—they championed the work. What happened here mattered, and it’s going to stick with us for a long time, shaping the festivals still to come.”
This year’s festival included several new and expanded features. Among them were the Kids Fringe Children’s Entrepreneur Market, which hosted more than 50 young vendors; a restructured Late Night Series; an updated Club Fringe Lounge; a Break Dancing Competition on the Outdoor Stage with over 20 competitors; and panel discussions focusing on the arts in Florida and topics related to artist wellness.
Visual Fringe programming included a gallery, a body painting and fashion show, and a Rainbow Art Market. The Kids Fringe program also introduced its first internally produced performance, Ruff by Jennifer Nii, and featured over 100 youth performers on the main stage. The Fringers of the Future initiative provided a platform for student-created work from three Central Florida high schools.
Fringe Lawn remained a central gathering area for attendees, offering live music, bingo, and late-night dance events. According to organizers, 156 volunteers contributed a total of 2,859 hours to support festival operations.
“I’m incredibly proud that Orlando Fringe continues to be a space where artists can take creative risks, share their stories and connect with audiences,” Genevieve Bernard, Director of Experience, said. “I’m also so thrilled and grateful that our community showed up this year to support artists and celebrate creativity. Supporting the arts—and the artists behind them—is more important than ever, and in many ways, showing up for the things we love is a powerful act of resistance, and that support shouldn’t stop when the festival ends. I want to encourage artists and audiences to keep showing up for each other: See local shows, buy tickets, amplify one another’s work and build lasting connections.”
This year’s festival included multiple performance venues across Loch Haven Park, including five spaces at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, four at Orlando Family Stage, and Kids Fringe at the Orlando Garden Club. Additional “Bring Your Own Venue” locations included the Renaissance Theatre Company, The Starlite Room @ Savoy, and Ten10 Brewing Co., as well as other site-specific locations selected by artists.
Free programming remained a significant component of the festival, including outdoor concerts and performances, the Visual Fringe art gallery, weekend family activities through Kids Fringe, and Fringe& panel discussions.
Founded on principles of being 100% uncensored, unjuried, accessible, and inclusive, Orlando Fringe distributes 100% of ticket revenue back to the artists. The festival aims to connect local, national, and international creatives with audiences from across Central Florida.
“At the heart of Orlando Fringe is the commitment to building a community that uplifts local voices, welcomes touring artists from every corner of the world and creates space for bold, new work to thrive,” Melissa E. Fritzinger, Managing Director, said. “This festival is where every artist finds a stage, whether it is a rehearsal hall, black box, proscenium or under a tree in front of the Orlando Science Center! As we close our 34th year, we are prouder than ever to be advocates for the creativity, risk taking and resilience of all artists.”