When Orlando Fringe had to cancel its 2020 international theatre festival in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the first time in 29 years that there no live Fringe shows were held in Central Florida.
That was a difficult pill to swallow for the oldest and largest Fringe Festival in the U.S. and a hard hit for an event that annually brings upwards of 75,000 patrons to Central Florida theatres and an estimated $3.4 million to the local economy.
“The biggest struggle wasn’t so much us, but that the artists weren’t going to be able to come and perform. This is the livelihood for so many artists,” says Orlando Fringe Marketing Director Brian Sikorski.
So when the time came for the fifth annual Winter Mini-Fest, Orlando Fringe was adamant that the show must go on, but as safe and socially-distanced as possible.
“With COVID lockdowns it’s hard to bring people in. We can’t bring artists in. It’s irresponsible for us to say we are going to have all these shows in theatres, so we had to change things up a bit to be able to still put on a festival and make it exciting,” Sikorski says.
This year’s Winter Mini-Fest will be a combination of some in-person events and mostly virtual shows sure to scratch that theatre itch that’s been building up since the masses started to quarantine.
“Virtual shows are going to open us to an even wider audience, so people from anywhere around the world can see these shows,” Sikorski says. “We have artists from as far away as Osaka, Japan that have submitted work to be in this festival. And these are all great artists, ones that we’ve personally vetted to be in this festival.”
There will be four live, in-person Fringe shows during Winter Mini-Fest; three for Kids Fringe the morning of Jan. 9 and one presented by local playwright and actor Bruce Ryan Costella of BC Theatricals.
“’Unhappy Accident’ is a take on Bob Ross and his painting show and that will take place on the Fringe lawn,” Sikorski says.
You will also have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to attend one of Fringe’s socially-responsible hangouts.
“So for each of the four nights of Winter Mini-Fest, you can come to Orlando Shakes and for $5, you can get a courtyard access pass and you can see your Fringe friends, have a drink from the bar, order some food from our partner at Ace Cafe and just kind of hang out in the courtyard have a little bit of feeling of fringe togetherness in the social responsible way,” Sikorski says.
There will also be Adirondack chairs and pods for four available to reserve on the Fringe lawn near the fire museum. Each night they will project four of the virtual performances.
“You will be able to watch some of the shows on a big screen with an audience,” Sikorski says. “That way we can kind of bring back the theatre watching experience to the people in a way that is a little safer.”
Anyone attending an in-person event will need to adhere to Orlando Fringe’s tight COVID-19 protocols. You cannot enter the Fringe grounds without a ticket purchased in advance and you must submit to a COVID screening with temperature check before entering, masks are required at all times but you may remove your mask while stationary and consuming food or beverages and please wash and sanitize your hands often. Failing to follow these standards will result in you being removed from the grounds. No refund will be given.
“Once inside, you will have socially-distanced, assigned seats and all lines will also be socially distanced,” Sikorski says. “We are trying to make everything as touchless as possible. And for members of Club Fringe attending, there will be a valet service where a VIP butler will come to your chair or pod, take your drink order and bring it to you. So you won’t have to worry about getting up from your seat.”
If you are still unsure about attending any of the in-person events, you will have the ability to Fringe from your own living room. There will be 26 virtual shows available to view online.
“All of these shows except for one have never played in Orlando before,” Sikorski says. “So viewers have a lot of new theatre to choose from.”
Tuning into Orlando Fringe virtually is simple to do. Just go to OrlandoFringe.org or OFWinterMiniFest.com where you will see a list of shows. Select which ones you would like to watch and they will be available on the website starting Jan. 7 at 5 p.m. and can be viewed anytime up to Jan. 14 at midnight. It’s Fringe at your own pace.
Individual shows are $10 each. A limited number of all-access passes —which will let you watch all virtual shows – are available for just $75.
Below we put together a quick-access guide, highlighting many of the shows you will be able to view. All shows listed are virtual except for BC Theatricals’ “Unhappy Accident.” LGBTQ productions for the fifth annual Winter Mini-Fest are notated in the show description.
Show information is subject to change. Go to OrlandoFringe.org for the most up-to-date information and to purchase tickets.
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“5-Step Guide to Being German”
By Paco Erhard
Berlin, Germany
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language
Want to be German? Of course you do. And now you can, as German comedian Paco Erhard teaches you how.
“The 500 List”
By Ryan Adam Wells
Houston, Texas
60 min | 13 & UP
Adult Languages, Mature Themes
2 friends. 1,000 songs. 3,000 miles. Adventure, danger, heartache and joy abound in this true musical storytelling piece.
“All Levels Paint Class”
By Becca Koopferstock, KoopCreates
Orlando, Florida
60 min | 7 & UP
A painting class for all skill levels. Together go step by step to create a beautiful Nighttime Mountainscape.
“El Amor Brujo (The Bewitched Love)”
By Wildfire Players
Oviedo, Florida
35 min | 13 & UP
Mature Themes, Violence
A flamenco ballet-pantomime in one act. Based on a story dealing with love, death, exorcism and release. What would YOU be willing to sacrifice for love?
“Anxieties Anonymous”
By Savannah Pedersen Presents
Clermont, Florida
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Strobe Light
Follow the story of Hope Grier, a rising young comedian on the verge of her big break, and a support group of young adults with various mental illnesses.
“Creepy Boys”
By Scantily Glad Theatre
Melbourne, Australia
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Nudity, Sexual Content, Violence
Twin orphans are throwing their very first birthday party and they will do whatever it takes to make their birthday dreams come true – even if it means blood sacrifice. This is an LGBTQ production.
“Creepy Christmas Cabaret”
By Opera del Sol
Winter Park, Florida
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content
An evening of dark and delightful debauchery, hosted by the seductive Madame. Opera del Sol’s singers will join you for a fabulous Christmas Party – in Hell.
“DK: Lost In Space”
By DK Reinemer
Bellingham, Washington
45 min | 13 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Violence
A heroic Space Force astronaut wakes from cryogenic sleep on a return flight to Earth, then everything goes to shit.
“Dog Person”
By 11th Hour Productions
Orlando, Florida
60 min | 13 & UP
Adult Language
Follow Maya as a wish leads her to switch places with Princess, her happy go lucky dog, after learning her roommate and long time crush is moving out. This is an LGBTQ production.
“The DownTEENers: Imagine & Inclusivity”
By Beth Marshall Presents
Orlando, Florida
45 min | All Ages
A cabaret/vignette style show with narrative interludes covering a variety of genres featuring performers from ages 12 to 102. This is an LGBTQ production.
“The FABULOUS King James Bible”
By New Generation Theatrical
Orlando, Florida
45 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language
In this hilariously historically inaccurate play, gay King James questions the role of the church and the scripture in order to make way for his new translation, much to the chagrin of two high priests who are nothing if not traditional. This is an LGBTQ production.
“Fallen from the Toy Box”
By The Fourth Wall Ensemble
Somerville, Massachusetts
58 min | All Ages
A tale of youth and consequences, inspired by our discarded mementos. This musical reverie revisits fairy tales, childhood games and the secret life of toys.
“Judas”
By BeeJay Aubertin-Clinton Presents
Orlando, Florida
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content
Hear this all-new testament about his savior and (spoiler alert!) lover in a sinful, spirited and sassy romp that reveals the truth, revs up the sex appeal and makes the Good Book even better. This is an LGBTQ production.
“My Dear Debbie”
By Featured Dancer Productions
Orlando, Florida
45 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content, Violence
A 50’s style sitcom, portraying the highs and lows of marriage. Hijinks ensue. You’ll die laughing.
“Peaceful Hospital”
By Theatre Group GUMBO
Osaka, Japan
60 min | All Ages
Peaceful Hospital is a small hospital with the best doctors and a nurse. However, they are actually vampires.
“Riders to the Sea”
By Project no. 19 Performance Company
Orlando, Florida
50 min | 13 & UP
Adult Language and Mature Themes
In a new audio adaptation from the original tragedy of John Millington Synge, we join Maurya — matriarch and widow — her two daughters, and her youngest son in the face of a tropical storm burgeoning on the Florida Keys.
“Right Now: The Movie”
By Martin Dockery
Montauk, New York
60 min | 13 & UP
Ten months into a quasi-quarantine, a storyteller who’s lost the thread of his own narrative attempts to tell the story of who we are at the dawn of 2021.
“Scintilla River”
By Nap Island
Orlando, Florida
55 min | 13 & UP
Adult Warning, Mature Themes
A coming of age story about three college students who explore their first real taste of freedom after being in quarantine for months.
“Sugar and Spice: A Sugar Babies”
By Plays By Gretchen
Bartow, Florida
60 min | 13 & UP
Mature Themes, Sexual Content
Savannah is a veteran sugar baby. She runs her own sugar baby coaching business. Will she be able to convince novice sugar babies – Madison and Gwen – to follow in her footsteps?
“Tombmates”
By Bikini Katie Productions
Orlando, Florida
55 min | 13 & UP
Adult Language
Every midnight at Westminster Abbey the spirits of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots rise. A ghost story meets The Odd Couple!
“Unhappy Accident”
By BC Theatricals
Orlando, Florida
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Violence
America’s favorite television painter discovers that he can no longer paint. Or can he? This is a live, in-person show and an LGBTQ production.
“War Paint”
By Bored at Midnight Productions
Orlando, Florida
13 & Up
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content
Artist Lily E. Garnett, dons her “war-paint” to explore self-image, social conditioning, beauty standards and how society values people, particularly women.
“A Winter’s Fright”
By Osha Newsome
Orlando, Florida
60 min | 18 & UP
Adult Language, Mature Themes, Violence
There is a tradition of gathering around the fire during the coldest nights of the year, sipping on something warm while we tell tales of ghosts and ghouls and terrors that lurk in the dark. A Winter’s Fright is such a tale, but told not just with words and whispers but paint. This is an LGBTQ production.
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