Let Your Fringe Flag Fly! The 34th Annual Orlando International Fringe Festival is finally here! From May 13-26, Loch Haven Park (as well as other areas of Orlando) will come alive with over 1,000 ticketed performances, an eclectic visual art gallery, kids’ activities, a free outdoor stage, and plenty more. While there’s simply too much Fringe to cover in a single article, we will be rolling out a series of posts about this incredible event. In this tenth installment for the 2025 Orlando Fringe season, we’re sitting amongst the rubble of the Things That I Destroy: The Overmedicated Misadventures Of An Autistic Antiheroine.
As huge fans of this yearly celebration, we’re thrilled to be covering these exceptional artists and creators. A big thank you to Orlando Fringe for inviting us to your media previews!
More About Things That I Destroy: The Overmedicated Misadventures Of An Autistic Antiheroine
A solo show in the Scarlet venue, Things That I Destroy offers a raw, unfiltered look at the inner struggles and self-destructive thoughts that often accompany neurodivergent conditions. Written and performed by award-winning playwright Ilana Jael, the piece provides an honest glimpse into her life following a childhood diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome. Surrounded by the literal remnants of things she has destroyed, Jael delivers a humbling, deeply personal exploration of what it means to live with a neurodivergent mind.
You can learn more about Things That I Destroy or view the entire show schedule on the Orlando Fringe website.
Freaky Thoughts: Things That I Destroy: The Overmedicated Misadventures Of An Autistic Antiheroine
So, listen… I attended the press preview of this show. I’m not going to sit here and pretend like it went smoothly. It didn’t. Ilana had some significant issues during her performance. She wasn’t off book, it sounded like she was still working out the ending, and a few of her intended props were missing.
HOWEVER, Ilana still won me over. She was honest, genuine, and completely upfront – not only about her struggles onstage – but about how those challenges parallel ones she has faced throughout her life. She openly discussed how uncomfortable she felt being up there, and how much easier it is for her to be behind a computer instead of doing the incredibly vulnerable thing of standing in front of people and telling her story. And let’s be honest, it is a lot easier to sit behind a screen with a backspace button than it is to perform live and share the most intimate parts of your life with a room full of strangers.
So despite the issues at the press preview, she still got to me. Her show still touched me. And I still think you should go see it. Good, bad, or somewhere in between – buy a ticket.
Getting Tickets to Things That I Destroy: The Overmedicated Misadventures Of An Autistic Antiheroine
Tickets for Things That I Destroy: The Overmedicated Misadventures Of An Autistic Antiheroine and any Orlando Fringe production can be purchased at orlandofringe.org. Because 100% of the base ticket price goes directly to the respective artists (one of the amazing ways Fringe supports both emerging and established creators), you’ll also need to purchase a reusable 2025 Fringe Festival button. Buttons are $10 and grant access to all the performances at this year’s event (along with your individually purchased show tickets). Good news: no matter how many productions you attend, you only need one button per person for the entire festival. You can buy your button online or at the main Fringe campus.
Know Before You Go
- A 2025 Fringe Festival button (and show ticket) is required to visit any performance. You can purchase your button online.
- Things That I Destroy: The Overmedicated Misadventures Of An Autistic Antiheroine takes place at the Scarlet Venue inside Orlando Family Stage.
- Parking at Orlando Fringe can be tricky. Make sure you arrive early to allow plenty of time to locate a suitable spot and travel to the show location.
