Chicago Fringe Festival

01/06/2019

Chicago Fringe Festival's cover photo

26/05/2019

Tracie Kunzika and Lucy Brooks are a creative duo performing all over the Chicago comedy scene, at iO, Second City, The Annoyance Theater, Cards Against Humanity, and The Playground Theater. You can catch this dynamic duo at the Fringe's Closing Celebration! Buy your tickets today for only $10!😍
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Tracie and Lucy's original two-person show debuted at The Second City Training Center in January then was accepted and performed at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, and the 2018 Chicago Fringe Festival. Tracie plays several musical instruments, writes their own original music, and makes digital comedy videos. Lucy writes her own original feminist rap music (SoundCloud.com/BigBucksBrooks) and writes and performs solo performance monologues.

24/05/2019

has the distinction of being the first and only psychic hypnotist to ever perform at a Fringe Festival anywhere in the world. The #1 booked palm reader and handwriting analyst in North America for the past 5 years, he entertains at night clubs, corporate events, and private parties. See the magical performance for yourself at the Closing Celebration on June 1! ✨

23/05/2019

Mark Toland: Mind Reader - MIND BLOWING Showreel

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Have your mind blown at the Closing Celebration on June 1st! Buy your tickets today-- only $10! 👏🏻
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Mark Toland Mark Toland is an international award-winning entertainer. His one-man show "MIND READER" won the 2018 Chicago Theatre Award for Best Special Event, along with the "Top Selling Show" at Chicago Fringe, "Audience Choice" at FRIGID NY, and "Best of Fest" at KC Fringe. He has previously been featured on NBC, ABC, WGN, FOX, NPR, and TEDx.

Subscribe: http://tinyurl.com/pqno6pg Connect: Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/MarkTolandLive Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MarkTolandLive Instagram: htt...

22/05/2019

Mike Maxwell is a Chicago suburban comedian who debuted his one-man show 'The Anti-Boss' at the Chicago Fringe Fest. He's a regular at the Chicago Improv and performs throughout the Midwest-- you can catch him at our Closing Celebration on June 1!

21/05/2019

Join us at the Closing Celebration on June 1st for the comedy stylings of Luke Schneider!

Luke was raised by a pack of Long Island Jewish wolves who taught him not only how to devour his prey, but also write a tight and punchy five minute stand up set. Now as a bigtime superstar Hollywood man, he performs comedy in clubs, bars, and basements across the Midwest. You can check out some more of his work at hellomynameisluke.com

23/04/2019

What's Your Frulogy? (Fringe Eulogy)

We each have Fringe memories that we carry with us. Weird memories. Blissful memories. Memories you can't quite believe are true. Memories you wish weren't true. Memories you will tell your great grandkids someday. We want to revel in every type of memory on June 1 and beyond, but we need your help. Please share stories and photos below to help us celebrate what Fringe meant to you.

27/02/2019

Sign the petition: Let International Artists Perform in the US

It is a constant challenge for US Fringes to welcome international artists into their festivals. Numerous artists annually have had to drop out of the Chicago Fringe Festival because of the inability to secure the needed visa. Please consider signing this petition to advocate for a simpler process.

I just signed a petition to Representative Nancy Pelosi: It is virtually impossible for indie theater artists from another country to perform legally in the United States. The immigration policy for artists is unduly restrictive, does not protect the security of the US, and impedes international cul...

16/02/2019

We are moving on, but we would love to support your upcoming work. If Fringe assets could be of use, apply today!

ALL PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY MARCH 1.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2DViEo9

05/02/2019

To support the spirit of Fringe in Chicago, the Chicago Fringe Festival will grant its assets to other nonprofit institutions dedicated to making “Fringe-y” art in and for the city.

ALL PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY MARCH 1.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/2DViEo9

20/12/2018

The Chicago Fringe Festival announces that after 10 years of celebrating the weird and unpredictable, Chicago Fringe Festival is closing its doors. The annual avant-garde performing arts festival will conclude with a 10- year celebration party on Saturday, June 1 at Windsor Tavern. 🎉
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Over the course of the past ten years, Chicago Fringe Festival has presented 367 shows and returned $231,654 to the artists. During this decade, the Festival remained true to its aims of returning 100% of ticket sales to artists and staging unjuried and uncensored shows. Chicago Fringe’s processes and policies allowed artists from all over the world to enter their selection lottery and win a slot in the festival. The festival proudly brought established and emerging artists together to learn from each other and to produce work in a low-risk environment.
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Executive Director Anne Cauley said, "As our festival has grown, so have the personal and professional lives of our volunteer staff. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to commit to the demands of an annual festival. I am so grateful for the astonishing community of volunteers, artists, and patrons that came together to embrace weird, inventive, challenging performances from around the world. I look forward to celebrating the community we built this spring."
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“It is bittersweet to see the Festival coming to an end,” says Founder and Board Member Sarah Mikayla Brown. “I know this is the right decision for us at this time. I am proud of our team for sticking with our vision: a small, no-barrier-to-admission festival. There are many friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime from Chicago Fringe, and I also know that we made an impact in our own way - through the connections that brought young artists and administrators together to train in our trenches. And hey, that includes me, too!” Brown continued, “Ultimately, the Fringe movement is much bigger than any one of us. This was only our version of the Chicago Fringe Festival. There was one before us, and who knows? There may be another one someday. In the meantime, patrons have the city’s longest-running fringe to look forward to the 30th Annual Rhinoceros Theatre Festival in January!”
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To support the spirit of Fringe in Chicago, the Chicago Fringe Festival will grant its assets to other nonprofit institutions dedicated to making “Fringe-y” art in and for the city. A call for proposals and details about Fringe’s send-off celebration are available at www.chicagofringe.org. ✨

20/12/2018

Chicago Fringe Festival

04/09/2018

Thank you for having us Jefferson Park!

04/09/2018

* Staff Shout - Out *

Anne is thrilled to be working alongside an amazingly talented and hard-working staff and board to produce the Chicago Fringe Festival. She previously worked as the Volunteer Coordinator for the first five festivals. When not obsessing about the magic of Fringe, Anne is the Director of Development and Communications at Arts of Life. On past adventures, Anne has worked at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Kennedy Center, and Berkshire Theatre Festival.

04/09/2018

* Staff Shout - Out *

Stephanie is a dancer, choreographer, educator, administrator, and so excited to be on the Fringe Team! She has a Bachelor’s in Communications and Dance Performance and Choreography from Hope College in Michigan and a Masters in Arts Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Previously she was Administrative Assistant for Dance New Jersey, the dance service organization for the state, and on faculty for Hope College Dance Department where she taught modern, jazz, and mentored student choreographers.

Though she is a recent transplant to Chicago, she is quickly finding her place in the dance scene in Chicago. She has been privileged to work with the Lucid Banter Project, Emma Draves, Angie Yetzke of Hope College, and Sara Anderson of Chicago Tap Theater and will be presenting works for Simantikos Dance as a resident choreographer this summer. Stephanie loves creating and collaborating, muffins and ice cream, listening to 70’s folk rock, and watching the seals at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

04/09/2018

* Staff Shout - Out *

Stacey started as a lowly Chicago Fringe intern in 2011 and has never left. Outside of running the Chicago Fringe Festival’s Box Office, Stacey fundraises for Respiratory Health Association and healthy lungs in Chicago. Stacey is thrilled to have a supportive arts family in Chicago, especially one full of fellow Whovians. ooo-weee-ooooooooo eee-yoo-ooooooooo…

03/09/2018

Tonight's the party, y'all!

03/09/2018

* Staff Shout - Out *

Traveling between her home in Florida and Michigan where she attended Grand Valley State University for her BA in Human Resources Management, Amber was looking forward to settling back down in her hometown of Chicago. While searching for an internship that would be both unique and engaging, she stumbled upon CFF and got more than she ever expected. After experiencing what being a Fringer was all about, Amber was instantly captivated and declared herself a Fringer for life. Now, as a recent graduate currently employed as the Distribution Manager at IKANN Inc., she is completely ecstatic to join the team as the new HR Manager. In her down time, Amber often finds herself attempting new recipes from pinterest, fangirling over Kpop and Kdrama and randomly blurting out movie quotes or song lyrics that relate to what was just said.

02/09/2018

* Staff Shout-Out*

Returning to Chicago after her four year adventure at Miami University in Ohio where she received a B.A. in Theatre and History, Steph found herself volunteering for the 2014 Fringe Festival as a box office associate. Loving the new work, creative energy, and amazing people, she is ecstatic to be fringing out with the fringe as the Kids Fringe Coordinator! When Stephanie is not partaking in fringe-y things, she can be found teaching 6th grade Non-Fiction and assistant directing the musical at Chicago Collegiate Charter School, as well as, mentoring an amazing group of young people with ASC Trailblazers. All superwoman qualities aside, Stephanie is just your average millennial who loves good food, The Office, biking, and hanging out with friends and family.

02/09/2018

* Staff Shout - Out *

Adrienne has experience in the Chicago theatre world in a number of capacities. She has now hung up her backstage hat in favor of working behind the scenes for the Chicago Fringe Festival. She still volunteers for other non-profits in the Chicagoland area. She is the proud mother of three: a girl, a boy and a Fringe.

02/09/2018

Daily dose of inspiration and ! And yes, you still cute, boo!

02/09/2018

After the show, it's the after party at Rex Tavern! Join us tonight after 9p to continue the celebration.

Also, we're two for two in reaching our daily fundraising goals, and today our goal is to raise $500.

Remember, Gale Street Inn - Chicago will match all donations up to $1,500! Donate today to double your impact AND secure a tasty treat at Rex Tavern tonight!

02/09/2018

It's just a gentle reminder, hunty!

02/09/2018

Thanks to our lawyer friends for helping make possible! You all are the bees knees, baby!

02/09/2018

Stop it ... you look cute today, honey pot! Come see us at Weston's.

02/09/2018

Happy Claudia Day!

02/09/2018

Get fringey >>> chicagofringe.org!

02/09/2018

TOP TEN BOO!!! Where you at? Two more days, honey.

The Chicago Tribune has Chicago Fringe Festival in their TOP TEN! This weekend only in !

02/09/2018

SoulFly Theatre Society

Day #2 of Rainbow Children, Angel Babies & Fruitless Fig Trees in Chicago Fringe Festival was a success! Congratulations to Veronique MacRae (V.LaShell) and our Artistic Director, Cynthia Dorsey, Chicago there are two more shows tomorrow at 5:30pm and Sunday at 8:30pm come on through!

02/09/2018

Thanks to our beverage sponsors for coming through on libations!

02/09/2018

Thanks to our beverage sponsors for coming through on libations!

02/09/2018

* Staff Shout-Out *

James Anthony (They/Them) recently served as the Publicity Manager for CFF, and now serves as the Social Media Manager. They are the Marketing Manager for the Actors Gymnasium and the Marketing Director for Nothing Without A Company.

As a marketing and social media artist, they have worked with About Face Theatre and Pride Films and Plays at Pride Arts Center. They are a producer of WeFest: A Q***r performance festival in Chicago. James is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and is a licensed Zumba Instructor.