Tampa’s alt-theater Fringe Festival ’24 opens today
Charles Ross’ “One-Man Batman Parody,” June 10, 12 and 13.
The Tampa International Fringe Festival begins its eighth season tonight, bringing 113 alt-theater, comedy and other, somewhat undefinable stage productions to the bay area over an 11-day stretch.
For the first time in Fringe’s history, everything will be under one roof; in previous years, Fringe venues were scattered around Ybor City and Tampa proper.
In 2023, Fringe began using rooms at the circa-1929 Kress Building, on Ybor’s 7th Avenue, for some performances. This year, every show – from the kids’ stuff to the strictly 18+ – will take place there.
It’s been a year of adjustments, says Tampa Fringe co-founder and producer Trish Parry. The company moved into the space – it’s now called Kress Contemporary – soon after the end of the 2023 Fringe.
The main black box room has been christened the Fringe Theatre.
“It’s been about figuring out what our audience wants us to be,” Parry says. “I think at first we went too hard with having a little too much going on, and now we’re going for more of a co-oppy vibe. Which kind of suits our mission to give affordable space to local artists.”
“Cat Lim: An American Darling,” June 8, 9, 11, 15 and 16.
Along with regularly-scheduled Fringe-related performances, their spaces in Kress are rented out for rehearsal and workshop space for theater people, book readings and others such events.
They do it at cost. “It’s not exactly a practical business model, I suppose,” Parry laughs.
The Tampa International Fringe Festival Inc. is a nonprofit; its published mission is “to provide local and global artists a platform, helping make their work accessible and affordable, and to diversify the arts on offer in the greater Tampa Bay area by increasing exposure to artists from different perspectives and cultural origins.”
“Alby Queer and the Gay Awakening,” June 7, 9 and 14.
It’s part of a circuit of fringe festivals, regional to international, and as the years have passed its reputation has grown.
“For performers,” Parry explains, “I would say the general consensus is that Tampa Fringe is a smaller festival, where they’re not going to make a ton of money – but they love it because we specifically foster a sense of community.
“Like if there’s a solo traveling artist, we reach out and grab them and drag them, maybe not kicking and screaming, into our fold and make them feel really welcome. Make them feel like they’re a part of Tampa.”
A writer and actor herself, Parry provides an example: “I performed at Asheville Fringe a couple of times, and that’s a very cool Fringe; it’s very community-driven.
“But I was by myself at the time, and I felt particularly lonely. Because nobody was specifically reaching out and making sure I was having a good time.
“If there’s anything we are known for, it is that.”
Along with the full schedule of performances, which can be viewed here, the Late Night Cabaret (June 15) features “your favorite fringe artists diverge from what they are doing in the festival – with music, poetry, storytelling, and who knows what else!”(18+).
Tampa Bay International Fringe Festival website.
“5-Step Guide to Being German,” Paco Erhard, June 13, 14 and 15.
