Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival Begins May 16th

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is the most unique cultural event in Central Florida – a celebration of performing arts where artists and audience members interact to create a community of creativity. The 2012 Festival showcases over 500 theatrical performances over a thirteen-day period, throughout ten indoor venues across Loch Haven Park. The Orlando Fringe is unjuried, and uncensored, and all revenue from ticket and artwork purchases goes directly to the artist.

In addition to ticketed performances at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center and Orlando Repertory Theatre, the Orlando Fringe Festival hosts a number of interdisciplinary activities and exhibits. Kids Fringe, held at the Mennello Museum of American Art (900 East Princeton Street), offers free arts and theatre activities for the whole family from 10am to 4pm on the weekends.

The Fringe season kicks off this year with a new approach – a preview show featuring local artists on April 16 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center followed by a Preview Show showcasing national and international artists on opening night, May 16. Opening night of the 2012 Orlando Fringe Festival starts with a ribbon cutting ceremony and VIP gala beginning at 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 16 on the Green Lawn at Loch Haven Park, followed by the national and international preview show.

The new Orlando Fringe website will have information on schedule planning, ticket purchases, and up to the minute Fringe news.