Fringers of the Future: An Impactful Program for Orlando’s Aspiring Artists

What is Fringers of the Future?

If you’re familiar with Orlando Fringe, you know that this diverse performing arts Festival both celebrates and edifies local (and not-so-local) artists and their works by providing equal opportunities for all experience levels, talents, and styles. With a lottery selection process, each applicant is guaranteed a fair chance at showcasing their productions during the event. While the main Festival may focus on adults artists, one important program provides these same opportunities to middle and high-school aged performers – Fringers of the Future!

Kids’ Fringe, a FREE Arts Event, is Coming to Downtown Orlando

Just like the adult portion of the Festival, applicants are chosen by lottery. However, Orlando Fringe actually waives the application and performance fees for their Future Fringers – allowing more of their ticket sales (100% of these funds are given back to the school) to be used for educational purposes. Depending on the popularity of a specific production, participating schools can earn a significant amount of funds for their operations. For example, one school was able to replace a twenty-year-old sound board with their funds. Others have reported significant improvements in their instruction and production qualities because of the increased program budget.

Get Ready! Orlando Fringe Returns May 18.

Fringers of the Future 2021

The 2021 event (which begins TODAY) features three dynamically different Future Fringer productions! Take a look at the shows below:

The Day The Sky Fell- Cypress Creek High School

From the Fringe Show Directory:

Georgia is a senior at Eastridge High in 2002 with a secret and Justice is on a path to pull himself off the streets. Their stories weave together with a cast of colorful characters that wrestle with loss, success, heartbreak and new love. The Day the Sky Fell explores the challenges of moving on with your life after experiencing tragedy.

Appropriate for all ages and playing at the Orlando Rep – this production will take place the evenings of Thursday, May 20; Monday, May 24; and Wednesday, May 26. Tickets are still available.

Spotlight – Lake Howell High School

From the Fringe Show Directory:

From the author of the hit plays Devil Boys From Beyond and The Crumple Zone comes this hilarious one-act about college theatre majors waiting for the cast list for West Side Story to be posted…..and the aftermath. A finalist in HBO’s New Writer’s Workshop and a Second Place winner at American College Theatre Festival, Spotlight is a fast-paced comedy about the desperate drive to succeed, and delusions that get in the way.

Even though this production is performed by high school students, there’s a fair bit of content advisories connected with the show. Viewers should be ready for adult language, mature themes, sexual content, and violence. This show is playing in the Lowndes Shakespeare Theater on the evening of Thursday, May 20; and the afternoons of Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23. You can buy tickets here.

Us and Them – Cornerstone Charter Academy

From the Fringe Show Directory:

Troupe 8121 is proud to present Us and Them by David Compton. This is a play about two groups of wanderers looking for a place to settle. They agree to share and mark the line between their territories, then build a small wall. The wall is built higher and then still higher. Suspicion and mistrust grow to the point where the groups must inevitably explode in conflict. This play is a favorite for Troupe 8121!

This 40 minute, all ages show will play in the afternoons on May 29 and 30. Buy tickets on the Fringe website!

Orlando Fringe Information

The Festival runs from May 18-31! Remember that you need a ticket AND special Fringe button to attend all shows.