REVIEW: Denver Fringe
- Lauren Hance
- Jan 23
- 5 min read
Denver Fringe is a newer festival here in the US, and I fully expect it to grow into something big in the coming years. The current Executive Director, Ann Sabah, knows exactly WTF she is doing. I participated in the 2024 Denver Fringe, which was celebrating its fifth birthday, and I was impressed on many levels. Festival promotion, artist care, and some lovely venues all stood out.
Festival Promotion
Festivals that actively build a loyal audience base always catch my attention. As a touring artist, a built-in audience usually means stronger ticket sales and less panic checking ticket sales. Denver Fringe has been thoughtful and consistent in how it promotes itself in a large city. They invested in billboards, partnered with local businesses, and even collaborated with a local brewery to create a Denver Fringe beer, complete with fringe-branded cans. That alone deserves a pat on the back.
While the audience base is still growing, the recipe is absolutely solid. I had family and friends in the area, which definitely helped my ticket sales, but about half of my audience came from dedicated fringe goers. That balance matters. I can easily imagine this festival developing a loyal following over the next few years, making it a strong stop for touring artists.
One of my favorite events was the Saturday morning Kids Fringe. The festival offered a free children’s show, made possible through a grant that supported the artist. After the performance, kids could decorate their own Denver Fringe t-shirts. This was the first fringe festival I brought my kids to, and we all had a genuinely great time. That kind of programming builds future fringe audiences, and it shows real care.
Artist Care
Denver Fringe did not skimp on artist care. The swag alone was solid, including a fringe t-shirt and tote bag. But the real highlight was the parties. Opening night took place at a local bar with light appetizers, opportunities for artists to pitch their shows, and a camera crew capturing interviews and footage. It was welcoming, well-organized, and a great way to meet people.
Throughout the festival, there were nightly parties at different locations around the city that artists and patrons could attend, which kept the energy up without feeling forced. These events created extra opportunities to connect with audiences and with each other, which is half the magic of fringe anyway. And yes, the closing night blowout absolutely delivered.
The festival also hired a professional photographer to document the shows and then shared the images with artists at no additional cost. While only the first 20 minutes of my show were photographed, I still received several beautiful images that were immediately useful for marketing.
There were no official reviewers at the fringe, which is worth knowing going in. However, several local media outlets were open and willing to write about the festival. If reviews are a priority for you, it is worth adjusting expectations for now, though I would not be surprised to see this change as the festival continues to grow.
Venues
Denver has a thriving theatre community, which always helps a fringe festival, and it shows. That strength showed in the variety of venues. Like any fringe, some spaces were less than ideal, but there were plenty of beautiful performance locations. A few venues are still learning how fringe operates, but overall the spaces were solid and enjoyable.
A few weeks before the festival, I was asked to submit a script with all my technical cues noted. When I arrived, my venue technician had not received the script, and the space was not fully ready for performance. Some lighting instruments and sound cables were missing, and I ended up purchasing a cord to connect my laptop to the provided speaker. Thankfully, my venue tech was fantastic. We worked together to get the show looking great, and I was genuinely impressed by her skill and attitude.
During one performance, QLab crashed while I was on stage. I experienced a brief but intense silent panic, took a breath, and reminded myself that I trusted my technician. She fixed the issue quickly and calmly, and the show went on. That moment alone speaks volumes about the quality of the people involved.
The year I attended, venues were spread across the city, which can impact fringe momentum for audiences, especially for anyone trying to see more than one or two shows a night. I would love to see the festival become more localized in the future, though I know securing venues is no small task. The schedule was also very full. In 2024, the festival ran for four days and featured over fifty shows. Between performing and traveling across town, I struggled to see as many other shows as I wanted. In 2026, the festival is expanding to five days, and I would expect the run to continue growing alongside the festival itself.
Overall Impressions of Denver Fringe
Denver Fringe is a genuinely fun festival and absolutely one to watch, especially if you care about where fringe in the US is headed. All the essential pieces are already in place. With continued growth, it has the potential to become a major beacon for fringe theatre in the US.
Denver Fringe applications are open through February 1.
Show Reviews from 2024 Denver Fringe
I am also including my reviews of shows I saw in 2024. While these reviews still live on Instagram, they are also finding a new home here on the blog. Reviews were much shorter back then, but still make great assets for artists.
Dame Dada and the [Untitled] Show by Dame Dada
“A hoot and a true Dadaist.”
Things I Hide from Dad, by Travis Ables
“Utterly hilarious and truly heartbreaking.”
Olivia Raine Atwood: Faking It by Olivia Atwood
“Hysterical and calculated. (Not to be confused with mathematical).”
WINNER WTF 2024 Best Solo Show
Delusions and Grandeur by Karen Hall
“Funny and raw. A beautiful depiction of the journey of an artist.”
Dream State by Denver Aerial Dance Collective
“Strong. Beautiful. Mesmerizing.”
Whore’s Eye View by Kaytlin Bailey
“As funny as she is serious about the oldest profession.”
The Bluebird by Theatre Artibus and Buba Basishvili
“A delightful peek into the life of an immigrant.”
The Big Bug Adventure! by Katy Williams
“Captivating for the youngest and oldest at heart.”
I scouted this show in Denver and produced a short Houston, TX tour in 2025. Katy is an amazing puppeteer and will work with you virtually if you ever need help. Find her here HERE.
Comments