IndyFringe, the live theatre festival held in the theatre district of Indianapolis, celebrates its 15th year of bringing diverse theatre, music, dance, and much more to the city. This year, IndyFringe will take over seven venues with 400 shows over the 11 days.
What makes IndyFringe different from most fringe festivals is that IndyFringe allows performers full artistic freedom, and returns 80 percent of the box office proceeds to the performers.
The venues for this year’s IndyFringe are:
• Firehouse First Floor, 748 Mass Ave.
• ComedySportz, 721 Mass Ave.
• The District Theatre Main & Cabaret Stage, 627 Mass Ave.
• Oasis at Murat Shriners, 510 N. New Jersey
• IndyFringe Basile & Indy Eleven theatres, 719 E. St. Clair
Check out the Preview Night at the Oasis on Wednesday, August 14 at 6 p.m. as Mayor Joe Hogsett kicks off the festival and artists perform previews of their shows. Tickets are $5 and available online or at the door.
IndyFringe will feature a beer tent at the corner of St. Clair and College outside the Firefighters Union weekdays from 5-11 p.m. and weekends from 1-11 p.m. for adult beverages. On Sunday, August 18 from 308 p.m., there will be a Beer Tent Dance Battle & Dance Jam with dancers from all over competing for the coveted title of the Indy’s First Limit Breaker.
This year, there will be a Chalk Art Festival on Saturday, August 24 sponsored by St. Paul’s Faith, Justice & the Arts. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. various artists and teams will compete for prizes. There will also be a 12-17 year old artist category. Everyone is encouraged to come throughout the day to see art taking shape on the city streets. Visit www.indyfringe.org for the designated chalk areas.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and students Online and credit/debit payments incur a $1 service fee. Visit www.indyfringe.org for a full list of shows and times. Patrons can call 317-292-4429 or 317-292-6910 to purchase in advance with pickup at will-call at the box office. Purchase tickets up to 2 hours before each performance. In addition, there are Fiver Passes — 5 shows for only $55 — available at the Central Box Office only, and limited to the first 250. (Box office is open Aug. 12-25 at the Firefighters Union Hall, 748 Mass Ave.
IndyFringe 15 performers come from all over, but many are from Naptown. Check out magician Taylor Martin’s Show “Tasty Bits: The Stories and Magic of Taylor Martin,” the Character House Theatre Company’s drama “Russian Roulette,” Judy Lombardo’s “Victory?! Again,” or “Another Mulligan” by Grace Church, at the Firehouse. For improv fans, check out ComedySportz “Footloose-a No Dance Town,” or for comedy, Zionsville’s own Kevin Burke in “Brain-o-Rama: Mentalism and Mischief” at ComedySportz. Expect powerful drama from the Carmel High School theatre program’s “And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank” at the IndyFringe Basile Theatre.
Dance Kaleidoscope’s “Our America,”Crossroads Dance Indy’s “Generations,” and Indianapolis Ballet’s “Beyond Ballet” explore movement at the District Theatre Main Stage. The Indianapolis Men’s Chorus will present “Journey to Hell,” and Monica Cantrell will bring Billie Holliday to life in “Lady LIVES.”
Family friendly shows include “Schoolhouse Rock Live, Fringe Edition” at the Oasis, and “Jordan Rooks’ A Magical Journey,” among others.
IndyFringe 15 looks like it will be bigger and better than ever — go online at www.indyfringe.org and begin your fringe experience!
