IndyFringe Welcomes You!
53 performers. 270 shows. Six stages. And 10 days of splashy spectacle, provocative pageantry and outrageous outbursts of off-beat theatrical fun.
It's Year Five of the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, a big, bold and bodacious celebration of innovative and accessible performance arts.
Beginning August 21, 2009, IndyFringe will transform the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District into a colorful showcase of traditional (and not-so!) theatre, dance, music, improvisation and a wide range of other performance and visual arts, all performed and created by local, national and international artists.
The festival centers on six stages at five venues—the Earth House at Lockerbie Central United Methodist Church, the IndyFringe HQ Building on East St. Clair, Theatre on the Square (Main Stage and Stage 2), ComedySportz Indianapolis, and the Phoenix Theatre. But the fun also spills out onto the streets with street buskers, performing poets and visual art exhibitions among other fringy festivities.
In 2006, IndyFringe even began inviting young people into the FringeFray with FringeNext, a dedicated stage for young performers—slated to return again in 2009.
Wander the avenue, catch some shows, and—in between—enjoy a bite to eat or a drink at one of Mass Avenue's fringy eateries, as you compare show notes with fellow Fringers, or just hang out to soak up the scene.
Fringe shows run 60 minutes or less. Admission is $10 per person, per show at the door. First-come, first-served. Discounted tickets are $7 for students and $5 for kids 12 and under. Advance tickets are available online for $11 per person, per show (until half the house for each show is sold). Festival-goers also need to buy a one-time festival badge for $3 onsite, good for all 10 days of the festival.
The fun gets underway at a free opening night party at 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2009. Our very own radical marching band, Refried Fringe will lead the way as festival performers, local entertainers and YOU march down the sidewalks of Mass Avenue. Think of it as an artsy conga line: you’ll watch the festivities go by and then follow us down to the party at the Outdoor Stage to enjoy a free preview of the 2009 shows. Each group must entice viewers in 3 minutes or get the gong. Afterwards, mingle with performers while enjoying the sitar sounds of the Playboy Psychonauts (complete with go go dancers). Meet IndyFringe performers and enjoy street theatre that ranges from the silly to the salacious to the sublime. Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches!
Welcome to the 5th annual Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival: August 21-30, 2009!
PICTURED ABOVE: Sex, Dreams, and Self Control is one of 40 shows scheduled during IndyFringe 2009.
How to Fringe
Pick Some Plays. This website has all the info you need to know about the plays and other festival events. Descriptions of each show and schedules take the guess work out of finding a show that’s right for you. Want to do even more research? Check out our Facebook fan page, where performers will be posting their own links, reviews and photos, or sneak a peek at some performance videos on our YouTube channel.
Buy a Backer Button. The Fringe Backer Button is, most importantly, your pass into our shows. You need to be wearing a Backer Button AND purchase a ticket to get into a show - so don’t forget your button on the counter at home, or you’ll have to buy a new one. On the fun side, the Backer Button also gets you into our outdoor tent for free, earns you discounts at many Mass Ave businesses (see the full list on page ##) and makes it easy to spot other Fringers and distinguish yourself as a proud Fringe supporter. They only cost $3.00, and we use this to pay our bills so all ticket revenue can go directly to the artists!
…and a ticket. Get tickets here.
Find your Fringe. Now that you’ve found a show you’d like to attend, check out the venue map to find the location of the theatre. Once you get here, you’re good to go; all our sites are within walking distance of each other. However, parking is limited on the IndyFringe streets so plan ahead. You can find more information about parking and public transportation here.
Join the party. Come early, stay late, hang out! In addition to a wide variety of shows in our theatres each day, we’ve got street performers roaming the Avenue and a constant party at the outdoor tent on the weekends. There’s no telling what you’ll see at IndyFringe, so don’t miss a minute of it.
Hear and be heard. A half hour has been built in between each performance to give you the chance to find out which shows are causing a stir. You won’t believe how many friendly faces you will meet at IndyFringe, so talk to each other! While standing in line, ask what others are enjoying and share your own tips about plays you’ve seen. Or log on to www.smallerindiana.com to post or read audience reviews. (Links to media feedback can also be found on the Review page)
Share the love. If you had a great time at the festival, we would appreciate your support when our house managers ask you to “Tip the Fringe!”
FringeFriday Last Friday Each Month
FRINGE FRIDAY. Fringe Friday is held on the last Friday of each month at the IndyFringe Theatre Building, 719 East St. Clair Street. Fringe Friday features special performances by current and past IndyFringe performers, skits, live music occasionally, and other surprises. Fringe Friday typically includes a cash bar and hors d'ouevres, and admission is usually free (except for certain special events). Details for the next Fringe Friday will be published soon.
FringeFuture: 5th annual IndyFringe: Aug. 21-30, 2009
