the blog

Last week, I had the honor of attending the 2026 World Fringe Congress in San Diego, CA, during the San Diego International Fringe Festival. I was fortunate enough to catch a few shows throughout the week. It was exciting to see that SD fringe secured a few new state-of-the-art venues in partnership with San Diego State University. Additionally, the Baja Fringe Bi-National Fringe Program featured a multi-day lineup and was well-received. Now on to the Reviews!

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has long been known as a launching pad for bold and boundary-pushing theater. For Xhloe Rice and Natasha Rowland, a New York–based duo creating absurdist clown physical theater, the journey to Fringe began with little more than a duffel bag of props and a desire to share their work with a wider audience. What they discovered in Edinburgh not only transformed their careers but also reshaped their understanding of what success at Fringe really mean

From comedy to matchmaking to fringe, Olivia Raine Atwood has learned that each unexpected turn in life and work has been pointing her in the same direction. Olivia is a comedian, writer, matchmaker, fitness instructor, and award-winning fringe performer whose career path could best be described as “a series of accidental perfect fits.”

Orlando Fringe is the longest-running fringe in the United States, and has long been on my list of fringe festivals to attend. Sadly, my lottery number has never been pulled (does anyone have a hankie?), but I do keep a regular eye on the festival. I’m thrilled to give my top picks of this year’s festival. While I have to narrow down my picks, I’m gonna have some bonus picks (because you deserve it and I love you).

Penny Peyser’s journey in entertainment is a lesson in adaptability, resilience, and creative reinvention. From off-Broadway to Hollywood to Edinburgh Fringe, her career reflects a simple truth: sustaining a life in entertainment requires both flexibility and the courage to create your own opportunities.

You might be wondering: wasn’t there already a fringe festival in DC? The answer is yes, but Capital Fringe is no more. Here’s what happened and why we said yes to District Fringe.

Shelley Cooper has earned recognition in the Fringe theater world for her ability to bring historical figures to life through compelling solo performances. Her works, La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas and Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum, merge storytelling, music, and careful research to offer audiences a deeper, more nuanced understanding of iconic women whose legacies have often been shaped by myth rather than fact.

Rochester is a unique Fringe. I have not seen another festival set up and run quite like this one. I participated in the Rochester Fringe Festival in 2024 and had a really lovely experience. I had a fantastic venue, found a friend to stay with (free housing always helps), and already knew quite a few touring artists, which made it feel social right away.

The arts have the power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities. This belief is at the heart of PUSH Physical Theatre’s work, as co-founder Darren Stevenson has experienced over decades of creating and performing. Darren's story illustrates how the arts can bridge divides, spark empathy, and foster collective well-being.

Welcome to the Midwest, and possibly one of the friendliest Fringe festivals you will attend. One of the best parts about Omaha Fringe is the staff.

For fringe artists, producing a solo show Off-Broadway can feel like a big leap, even though much of the work looks familiar. What changes is the context: New York City and the expectations that come with an Off-Broadway venue.

Denver Fringe is a newer festival here in the US, and I fully expect it to grow into something big in the coming years. I was impressed on many levels. Festival promotion, artist care, and some lovely venues all stood out.

In the world of theater, the relationship between performers and reviewers can feel complicated. For some artists, the thought of a reviewer in the audience brings excitement and dread in equal measure. But at its best, the work of a reviewer is not about passing judgment from a distance, but about helping connect audiences to the art being made in their community.

For many Fringe artists, the focus is on script, staging, and performance. But there is another tool that can elevate your show and surprise your audience: sound. Foley artistry, the live creation of sound effects using everyday objects, can transform a performance, adding dimension and energy in ways that lighting or props alone cannot achieve.

Welcome to one of the longest-running fringe festivals in the Midwest! Each year, the Minnesota Fringe Festival offers over 100 productions across two jam-packed weeks.

Fringe performer Steve Budd has become known for his multi-character solo shows. His process enables him to create stories with strong narratives and grounded characters.

There’s something special about your very first festival. It’s equal parts adventure, nerves, and a big ol’ heap of hope. Solofest was a great experience, but it was also a crash course in the festival hustle.

Martin Dockery: A case study in what it takes to thrive in a niche where fame is fleeting, money is modest, but creative autonomy is absolute.

How collaboration improves any fringe show: a case study of Denver Aerial Dance Collective.

EXPOSED invites storytellers to share experiences that are often hidden away—trauma, grief, identity struggles, and moments of deep transformation. The goal is not sensationalism but authenticity.