The Must-See
The Fringe Festival
Website: https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025
Who: Minnesota Fringe
When: July 31-August 10
Minnesota Fringe connects adventurous artists with adventurous audiences through festivals and dynamic, year-round programs and events.
With 100, 60-minute or less productions in 12 venues, the Fringe Festival is the most incredible opportunity to see some of the best and some of the absolute worst theater in the Twin Cities. All shows are selected sight unseen through a lottery process, and the variety of projects turns out just as you might imagine. But don’t let this stop you! I believe that you can find life lessons in taking chances on art (see Field Notes, below).
Fringe can be a bit intimidating to those who’ve never experienced it. MN Fringe gets this, and have provided thorough orientation opportunities:
Also, check out:
Also, as you explore some new venues around the Twin Cities, pick up some info for your next show. (Message me if you find something special that should be featured here!)
Things to know
- Parking: Check out the venue page for specific information on parking and accessibility for individual venues
- Dining: Fringe has a list of community partners in the area with discounts for Fringe Button holders, including Pizza Luce in Seward, Afro Deli, Tamu Grill, and more. If you don’t have a button, check out the list and support those who support the Fringe!
- Attire: Literally whatever you feel like wearing. Literally.
The Discovery
Another entry in the Journal of Places to Learn How to Make Art:
One of the Independent Producers for this year’s Fringe is The American School of Storytelling, who also offer workshops, classes, and open mic events for aspiring and experienced storytellers. You’ll have no fewer than 10 opportunities to see their space and their work in their Fringe Series: More Better Stories by a variety of storytellers. Maybe you’ll catch a storytelling bug.
Field Notes: Bad Theater
I’ve been to a lot of theater, so it isn’t surprising that I’ve seen my share of bad performances. This would be true of any art form, but performance art is unique. What might be phenomenal one night might be awful the next because it’s a group experience that depends not only on the team that created the production, but what the actors bring to the stage each night, and how the audience shows up.
But here's the thing about taking chances on theater, even when the odds suggest you might witness something less than stellar: there's something generous about sitting through a flawed performance, too. You're participating in the vulnerable act of creation, honoring the courage it takes to stand before strangers and attempt to move them. You’re building community with people you don’t know and might not meet again. You’re sharing something utterly unique with fellow humans. That thing might be uniquely awful, but sometimes even that increases its value.
The UAC is here to encourage joy in experimenting. I hope you take the chance to share that joy.
