Lets assume you know what Fringe is all about, and you are cool enough to want to engage in some of the best fun Orlando has to offer. 

Simple Fringing – go to the website, choose  link to  “this years shows" , pick a night and choose a play.   Read a summary of the play by clicking it’s name.  Buy tickets.   DONE that easy.    http://orlandofringe.org/

However,  there are some advanced Fringing techniques that I will now share with you to enhance your Fringing experience.

 About the  Loch Haven Park and the Fringe Area.  Parking is usually best at the Science center garage unless you are attending early/late or off primetime.  Shows are in 2 buildings which are located on either side of the park.   The Orlando Rep and Shakes Center.   Each building has a couple of prime venues and some smaller ones.   Which leads to the next point. 

Know the venues and understand that some of the larger venues generally show some of the more elaborate plays and those destined to pull in larger audiences. Venue guides will be available at Fringe, but it’s key to  know the best ones before you attend.  At Shakes, one can always plan on The Orange venue having the biggest and best cabaret/comedy shows.  When you are torn, it’s best to go Orange.   At the Rep, depending on what they have going on, generally speaking Silver tends to be where they put some of the best shows.  However,  green is the next largest venue after Orange and Silver so keep an eye on green shows.   Every venue has some unique things to offer, but it’s a general rule that some of the smaller/one man shows will be in smaller venues.  (note there are some exceptions and I will point out those troupes on my Fringe blog as we get closer)

Buying tickets.  You can pre-buy tickets or wait and simply buy them at Fringe inside one of the venue buildings.  You MUST buy a Fringe button which gets you into the festival.   After that,  you must buy tickets individually  to each show.  There is usually a $1 up charge for the online service.   There are NO assigned seats at Fringe.  Once you buy your ticket, you must arrive early for the best seat.  Lines DO start early for the best shows.

Planning your Fringe schedule.  The web-site allows you to print one .pdf of the entire schedule.  This is HIGHLY recommended.  Then you can choose shows you wish to see by day.  I review each show summary and then assign a priority value A thru C.   I will pre-buy the A shows and attempt to see them early before they sell out.  

Know what genre you are looking for.  I have tried a taste of all that Fringe has to offer, and I prefer comedy and the cabaret shows.   I have less of a taste for physical humor and one man stand up so I  target shows in this direction.   Sometimes it’s difficult to discern these details from the web-site show summary, but sometimes it will clearly state if the show is one-man.  I am not a fan of the dance shows with one HUGE exception.  Varie-a-Tease is the best show every year in my opinion.  More of a Cabaret show really and a must see. 

 Watch the Blogs for the best recommendations.  The Orlando Sentinel, Elizabeth Maupin, myself and several other Fringers will publish show summaries or reviews.   These are extremely helpful when picking shows.   Generally speaking the known /local troupes will sell out right away so it’s best to check the blogs daily and even ask around when you get to Fringe.

Have an open mind.  Fringe is NOT for the easily offended.  Remember this is uncensored, artist driven theater.   The artists do/show whatever they want.   And I mean WHAT EVER.  There is a screening process since Orlando Fringe is the largest in the US, however be prepared for open minded, opinionated and in your face entertainment.   It’s worth it!!!!!