Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Fringe Festival anyway?

A: A Fringe Festival can be loosely defined as a performance festival that seeks the un-tried and the weird. A movement that started in 1947 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringes now appear across the U.S. and all over the world. Our closest Fringes are Minnesota Fringe, Kansas City Fringe and Indianapolis Fringe.

Q: When and where will Chicago Fringe be?

A: Our first Fringe will be September 1-5, 2010 in the Pilsen neighborhood, centering around Halsted and 18th street. The idea is that we will move to a different neighborhood each year, neighborhoods that are not commonly represented.

Q: How many shows will be in the festival? How many venues?

A: Around 40 shows in 6 venues. Each show will have five performances.

Q: How much are tickets? Where do the sales go?

A: Tickets will be $10 to each performance, with some package rates available. Performers get 100% of their box office revenue, meaning they could make back their investment many times over.

Q: I hate to be a jerk, but why do we even need a Fringe? Isn't Chicago just a big Fringe year round? Further aren't we a saturated market that doesn't need this?

A: We're glad you asked. Yes, we believe that Chicago does need a Fringe, and we have engineered our festival to meet the needs of our city as we view it. This festival will, above all, create a place where Chicago performance artists can interact with performers from across town and the world in a fun immersive environment. It will encourage performers and patrons to travel beyond their comfort zone and get to know someplace new. It will allow patrons to show up just one day, and get to see 5 or 6 groups that they are curious about but may never have travelled to see during the year. It will allow groups struggling to get seen to catch a buzz. It will further put Chicago on the map as a, if not the, major theatrical center of the United States.

Q: I have more questions. Bah humbug.

A: Please contact us. info@chicagofringe.org. We are ALWAYS open to discussion, and absolutely feed on dissent.