Denver Fringe Festival

Dozens of shows in RINO/Five Points and beyond

**Not a complete list but to give you an idea of what Denver Fringe is up to. For the complete lineup, go to https://denverfringe.org/

SPECIAL FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIGHLIGHTS

Shows for Children & Families

• La Gran Aventura del Gusano Stripes – A Spanish/English puppet show about a caterpillar going to a Firefly Dance Party (Sat/Sun 11:30 AM at The People’s Building)
• PreTend Friend Show – Classic storytelling, puppets and music in an interactive format (Sat/Sun 10:30 AM at Savoy Ballroom)
• Galaxias: Find Your Universe – A circus-fueled journey with a Clown through the stars (Fri 6:30 PM, Sat 8:00 PM, Sun 5:00 PM at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance)
• Puppetry Fundamentals Workshop – Learn puppetry basics with professional puppeteers (Fri 11:30 AM at Hope Tank)
• First Friday at The Truss House – The Lucid Dreamer – A FREE magical music performance (Fri 5:00 PM at The Truss House)
• Sweatin’ Wild – A FREE performance at The Bird Lot (Fri 6:00 PM)

Shows for Mature Teens & Adults (General/All Ages)

• 800 Years Young – A music & comedy experience with a 800-year-old bard (Thu/Fri/Sat at Big Up Studios)
• Blue Silk – A puppet show exploring addiction through fairy tale (Thu/Fri at The Pearl Warehouse)
• Smaller Griefs – An electro-pop song cycle about grief and transformation (Sat/Sun at Hope Tank)
• The Heart of Circinus – A comedy with live music about whimsy and illogic (Thu/Fri/Sat at Big Up Studios)
• Homophobia In the Snow Uphill Both Ways – An intergenerational comedy about gay liberation (Fri/Sat at Fort Greene Bar)
• Whispers of the Wind – A presentation on the Mother Fan Cult that spirals into chaos (Fri/Sat/Sun at Savoy Flex)
• Vermillion Vignette – A vampiric voyage through shadow and light (Sat at Manos Sagrados)
• The Lucid Dreamer – A vocal looping performance creating music from dreams (Sat/Sun at Manos Sagrados)
• Colorado Boy – A story of growing up in Colorado and navigating life with schizophrenia (Thu/Fri/Sat at Savoy Flex)
• The Audition – A magician’s quest to join The Magic Castle (Thu/Sat/Sun at The Learned Lemur)
• When I Looked in the Mirror and Saw God Staring Back – An exploration of trans identity and the Divine (Fri/Sat at Manos Sagrados)

—## Colorado Boy Venue: Savoy Flex, 2700 Arapahoe St, Ste 103, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 8:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Theatre, Solo Performance, World Premiere, Dance, Physical Theatre

Description: Eric grew up in Colorado, shaped by significant events; Columbine shooting, the Rockies World Series journey, the loss of a close relative. His world is then turned upside down when he’s diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now he must navigate a new reality and find a way to live with it, and interact with people in his life.

Artists:

• Actor: Nina Eisenberg
• Director: Adrienne Asterita
• Choreographer: Heather Brinkerhoff Westernskow
• Sound Designer: Jessica Jewell
• Video Projection: Lucas Barta

—## Obsessive Comedy Disorder Venue: RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 9:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 55 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Comedy, Solo Performance, Storytelling

Description: Kevin is one of a kind comedian, and has OCD. Come into the battle inside his brain. In this “hilarious” and “healing” hour, Kevin blends his silly life, crazy family, and the dark truth of a misunderstood disorder. The show resonates with anyone anxious or obsessive, but is meant for those suffering in silence.

Artist:

• Kevin Turner was Best of the Fest at the 2024 Burbank Comedy Festival. He also performed in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, and co-produces a monthly sketch show in NYC. He also produces comedy shows around the Northeast, leads corporate trainings, and emcees business events for over 500 people.

—## DeepFake Venue: West & Main, 3632 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Multiple shows Thursday-Saturday (June 5-7) with performances every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Run Time: 20 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Immersive

Description: In this immersive theatrical experience performed for an audience of one, you will have to argue for your perspective on the use of AI and generated images in art, using the materials you find in your assigned office. Part puzzle room, part quiet home story.

Artists:

• Grace Goldstein (co-writer, director): A playwright, director, and engineer whose work lives at the intersection of technology and storytelling, developing new interactive methods to invite audiences to become a part of the story.
• Matt Aks Davis (co-technical director): A playwright, actor, and engineer with credits at Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Dramatists, and more.
• Lillian Borensten (Boss): A New York City-based actor, writer, and social worker.
• Jeremy Cohen (Comrade): A tech worker based in Marseille, France who has been an actor, dancer, lighting designer, etc.
• Alan Walker (assistant technical director): An Organizational Psychology and Development professional based in Los Angeles with experience in technical direction, lighting, and sound.

—## Come Play With Mandy! Venue: The Pearl Jungle Room, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 50 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Comedy, Immersive, World Premiere, LGBTQ+, Solo Performance

Description: Eliot Indigo’s debut solo comedy show is chock full of surprises. Mandy might host an episode of your favorite game show or throw herself the surprise party of the year; anything can happen when you play with Mandy. If you’re feeling brave you can even join in on the fun and play a few hilarious games with Mandy. Or if you’re too shy just enjoy the show. 50% first date with Mandy and 50% comedy special means you’re in for a wild ride. (60/40 if we’re being honest.) Come play with Mandy! P.S. you won’t get bored Mandy has plenty of jokes in her purse, and lipgloss.

Artist:

• Eliot Indigo is an up and coming stand up comedian, writer and entertainer based in Chicago. She got her start at Denver School of the Arts as a 10 year old and has been addicted to the spotlight ever since. With dozens of productions under her belt, and after a several month run at Whim Chicago hosting and producing her own stand up comedy show she is ready to make her solo debut.

—## The Lucid Dreamer Venue: Manos Sagrados, 9975 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Musical, Storytelling, Physical Theatre, Music, Solo Performance

Description: Michel, canonically referred to as The Lovely Lucid Dreamer, has the unique ability of being able to pull music notes out of thin air and create symphonies out of nothing. The more vivid his dreams, the stronger his ability to alchemize music out of nothingness when he awakes. Come and grab a front row seat to witness this live.

Artist:

• David Webb – Performing under the name DovJ, David Webb is a vocal looping artist based in Colorado. After 12 years of performing, he decided to use the style of looping (with the help of wireless gloves and loop pedals) to create a one-man show. Come and witness the way these wireless gloves can be used to make music in real-time, telling a story from beginning to end.

—## When I Looked in the Mirror and Saw God Staring Back Venue: Manos Sagrados, 9975 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 60 Minutes
Content: Not specified
Genre: LGBTQ+, Devised, Theatre, Storytelling, Immersive, Drag, BIPOC

Description: The show is a piece about the intimate moments trans people have with themselves in the mirror, and the inherent divinity at discovering one’s identity. The show is a stepping into, a return to intrinsic truth, and a celebration of the Divine inside us.

Artists:

• Apple Hultz
• Amayas Gonzalez
• Production Design: Alex Kim
• Sound: Parker Gibbs

—## MK + A Rewatch Podcast Venue: The Hideaway at Rise Comedy, 1260 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 4:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 6:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 4:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Solo Performance, Devised, Comedy, Physical Theatre, Theatre

Description: Sharing one pick on a new-ish 90s sitcom, lovable twins MK + A race to stardom before they could even talk. Now, 30 years on, “You’re Invited…” to their first public appearance in a decade. In front of a live studio audience, MK + A navigate a crash course down memory lane of their famous fictional childhoods. Part illustrated audio concert, part horror show, MK + A Rewatch Podcast asks: Is there any hope for the future that isn’t based in re-creating the past? The creators of Dora’s Gently Used Dreams Store and Auntleland combine the digital tools of modern content creators with physical theatre virtuosity to generate an absurd and stinging dive into the lucrative business of remakes, reboots and rewatches.

Artists:

• Morgan McKenzie Kauffman (Creator/Performer): A theatre maker and performer based outside Philadelphia PA making research-driven immersive and theatrical works whose show Dora’s Gently Used Dreams Store premiered at the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe.
• Aurelia Land (Creator/Performer): A multi-disciplinary creator whose work explores memory and history through social practice, devised performance, and archival research, with original works including Read Me A World, Auntleland, and The Seven Ravens Project.

—## Rocky Mountain Puppet Slam Venue: The Pearl Warehouse, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 8:30 PM
Run Time: 90 min
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Puppetry, Storytelling, Theatre, Comedy, Solo Performance, Cabaret, Physical Theatre

Description: What the heck is a puppet slam? It is a night of curated short form puppet and object theatre. Performers are given a 5 minute slot and the only guideline is that it must include puppetry. You truly never know what you will see at a slam. It might be a comedic tabletop story, a haunting shadow puppet piece, a life size Pegasus, or even an expertly crafted marionette. Anything is game in this puppet driven variety show. Grab a drink and join us for what is sure to be an unforgettable night!

Artists:

• Director/Producer: Katy Williams
• Stage Manager: Maia Rychlik
• Photographer: Roxie Anderson
• Stage Hands: Cyndi Pam, Bobby Nathan, Kiali Storm, Larry Hensel, Jayne Perry
• Rocky Mountain Puppetry Guild

—## Front Porch Puppets presents… Control Freak Venue: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 55 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Puppetry, Clown, Storytelling, Musical

Description: Faron Nuff, a children’s TV host and puppeteer, having to corral when his show gains exciting traction and hits its 100th episode milestone. His need to control even the most minute details leads to an ugly outburst that will spark a series of events that take him further than he could imagine. When he ends up in a mysterious and mystical desert landscape, he encounters new and familiar faces, including an idol of his. Faron must examine who he is and who he is becoming to find a way back to the world he knows.

Artists:

• Starring: Faron Nuff as Himself
• Faron Nuff is a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of Adult Case Board Awards. For over 20 good years, he has performed on fancy people venues such as the Magic Castle and Hollywood Bowl, and the seminal character in the cult classic Mystery Science Theater 3000. He is a licensed wedding officiant and has performed puppetry at countless weddings, and also the better half of the comedy duo Front Porch Puppets.
• Natalie Lien-Bowdish as Jarod (a puppet): Her delightful brand of comedy is a way that Denverites LOVE, providing a great balance for Faron.
• Betby Roberts as the Blue Fairy: A performer with a background in dance, singing, and improv who graciously allowed Faron to use her phone to write up a rough draft of an application for the show.

—## Enzo Benzo’s State Of The Union Follies: A cabaret of chaos and comedy! Venue: The Pearl Warehouse, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 PM
Run Time: Not specified
Content: Adults Only
Genre: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Cabaret, Comedy, Burlesque, World Premiere

Description: Step right up for an unforgettable night of political satire, social commentary, and outrageous fun at Enzo Benzo’s State of the Union Follies! This uproarious cabaret is a hilarious and irreverent lampooning of the current political landscape, starring and produced by Denver’s Drag and Burlesque Virtuoso Enzo Benzo, the master of ceremonies, alongside a talented cast of final-degree performance artists! The show is not for the politically squeamish, as it breaks down the barriers of national politics, featuring everything from clownish politicians to breakneck parodies of campaign ads, debates, and public scandals.

Artists: Not specified in the available information.

—## Venomous Venue: The Pearl Warehouse, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: General/All Ages (Recommended for ages 12+ briefly references sexual assault)
Genre: Dance, Theatre, Solo Performance, Storytelling

Description: What would Medusa say if she had a chance to speak for herself? Jessica Fudim’s dance-theater solo Venomous looks at the classic Greek myth from Medusa’s perspective and moves her story beyond that of a snake-headed monster. Fudim combines contemporary movement with amped-up party dancing, video projection, whimsical props, and moments of audience collaboration. As she leads us through ancient temples, and into Medusa’s fuller humanity, we dig into the complexities of who gets to author one’s own reputation, and who gets to be believed.

“In Jessica Fudim’s Venomous, Medusa is Monster No More” –SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE “There are many myths, versions, and stories of Medusa, and pain, betrayal and hurt are at the core of them all. It takes a beautiful, healing soul like Jessica’s to sort it all out and find the survivor and hero in her story.” –SONOMA VALLEY SUN

Artists:

• Performed and Created by Jessica Fudim: A BFA in Dance graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder with experience in dance-theater for nearly three decades.
• Evra Baldinger, Assistant Director: A dance theater artist, writer and an Assistant Professor at San Francisco State University.
• Allen Willner, Lighting Design: An award-winning lighting designer who works locally and nationally for theater, dance, opera & musical productions.

—## PreTend Friend Show Venue: Savoy Ballroom, 2700 Arapahoe St, Ste 103, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 10:30 AM; Sunday, June 8 at 10:30 AM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: Not specified
Genre: Kids/Fringe, Puppetry, Storytelling, Musical, Improvisation, Theatre, Free

Description: After entertaining hundreds of children with live monthly shows in Oklahoma City, The PreTend Friends are reuniting in Denver to bring their brand of storytelling to Fringe! People and puppets read and act out a classic story in this original live show for kids of all ages. This performance teaches the art of storytelling, life lessons, and audience etiquette in a silly, fun and interactive way. Created by a certified baby expert and her puppeteer husband, the PreTend Friend Show was crafted to entertain children and their families in an old fashioned way: free of screens and alongside others.

Artists: Not specified in the available information.

—## Colostomy Bag Buddies Venue: Manos Sagrados, 9975 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 5:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 45-60 minutes
Content: Not specified
Genre: Theatre

Description: “And maybe I should chill out on blaming my parents / Forgivable at 25, it’s not cute at 37/ But maybe I’ll just pour my soul into another few songs / This only time I felt like me / The only time I don’t feel wrong” – Sarah Mary Chadwick.

New to Denver and I’m thinkin’ to myself “uh what if the worst thing is the BEST THING!?!?!?” with puppets!

Artist: Not specified in the available information.

—## La Gran Aventura del Gusano Stripes Venue: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 11:30 AM; Sunday, June 8 at 11:30 AM
Run Time: 25 minutes
Content: Not specified
Genre: Free, Kids/Fringe, Puppetry, Family-Friendly

Description: ¡Únete a Stripes, la Oruga, en la mayor aventura de su pequeña vida! Stripes va camino a la misteriosa “Fiesta de Baile de las Luciérnagas” y necesita tu ayuda. ¡Usando disfraces, música y mucha participación del público, puedes ayudar a Stripes en la mayor aventura de su pequeña vida! Este espectáculo es una delicia para todos los públicos y cuenta con fenomenales títeres de Katy Williams Design. También incluye música original de Ben Morris. ¡Acompáñanos y déjate llevar por una tierra colorida y caprichosa llena de creatividad y diversión!

[Translation: Join Stripes the Caterpillar on the biggest adventure of his little life! Stripes is on his way to the mysterious “Firefly Dance Party” and needs your help. Using costumes, music and lots of audience participation, you can help Stripes on the biggest adventure of his little life! This show is a delight for all audiences and features phenomenal puppets by Katy Williams Design. It also includes original music by Ben Morris. Join us and let yourself be carried away by a colorful and whimsical land full of creativity and fun!]

Artists:

• Director/Creator: Katy Williams
• Assistant: Maia Rychlik
• Spanish Puppeteer: Julia Fournier

—## Vermillion Vignette Venue: Manos Sagrados, 9975 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Physical Theatre, Storytelling, Immersive, BIPOC

Description: Le Viroux Presents: Vermillion Vignette: A Vampiric Voyage. A Tale of Shadow and Candlelit Vibrancy. Step into a world where vengeance dances with desire, and death is only the beginning. In the crimson soil of a sanguine Eden, the undead awaken. Vermillion Vignette leads us through a haunting spectacle of rebirth, rage, and redemption—where tarnished silver seeks vindication and the soul feeters between damnation and deliverance. Can a vendetta be settled without surrendering the soul? What price is too great for eternal life? Witness a visual and visceral odyssey through the abyss—A conjuring of the underworld by Le Viroux, masters of the macabre and the surreal. In darkness, we see deeper. In shadow, we find the self. A phenomenon of the undead genius. A fever dream of the vampire mind. A duet of death and immortality.

Artists:

• Cast Description:
• Akil K. (formerly Count) is a daring performance artist whose expertise lies in circus arts, specializing in knife and sword juggling with captivating displays showcasing not only his extraordinary physical skill but also his fearless versatility and affinity for the odd, macabre, and shocking.
• Ralphy Sway is a visionary performance artist whose talent for costume design allows him to transform into a variety of entities through the manipulation of fabric, canvas, sound, and spirit, with a rich background in music production and continuous journeys into the astral realm.

—## Whispers of the Wind: A Very Serious, Complete, and Thorough Academic Presentation on the Mother Fan Cult Venue: Savoy Flex, 2700 Arapahoe St, Ste 103, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 PM
Run Time: 50 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Comedy, Theatre, World Premiere

Description: A lecture on the mysterious “Motherfan Cult” spirals into chaos as an expert scholar and their disaffected assistant reveal discoveries and ritual surroundings. The evening of love lines, odd glitches, technical chaos, and embarrassing moments of academic sacrifice—fan worship and mystical dances—technical glitches throw the presentation off course, and the assistant’s increasingly wild attempts to bring the rituals to life explode into comedic anarchy. What starts as a dry academic talk ends in a frantic, hilarious exploration of faith, obsession, and the search for meaning in a world where technology fails, and belief takes on strange, unpredictable forms.

Artists:

• The Boxtart Project, created by theatre artist George McConnell and filmmaker/designer Liz Bourgeois, is an interdisciplinary performance process that explores belief, community, and the power of myth in the digital age.
• Landon Green: A Florida-based actor and entertainer, graduating from the University of South Florida, working for nearly every professional theatre company in the Tampa Bay Area.
• Meg MacCarry: An OBIE award winning actor, producer, and writer who co-founded the critically acclaimed theater company Clubbed Thumb.
• Paul Tunis: An artist and comics creator who teaches at Adams State University, has an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence, and grew up hiding from the sun in the Sonoran Desert.

—## The Show Must Go On…Or Should It? Venue: The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Theatre, Storytelling, LGBTQ+, Improvisation

Description: A True Story of longtime Friendship and all the reasons The Show Must Go On… OR SHOULD IT? 30x Award-Winning Fringe Producing Artist – Beth Marshall (Idaho Springs, CO) – Multi-Award Winning Big Bang Buffet Founder Mark Manning (Orlando, FL) and LA based Rocky Mountain Fringe alum Josie Nixon – “Sophisticated Fucked Up CHAOS” (2014) FINALLY team up to bring to you the REGIONAL PREMIERE to KC Fringe’s “Spirit of The Fringe Award”, “Raw & Brave Storytelling”, “Art Free, “An hour of bravery, authenticity heartbreak and resilience. Beth and Mark deliver a powerful show that follows a friendship woven through decades of KCMO Theatre highs and lows. A must see!” -Janis Elzey

Artists:

• Beth Marshall, Mark Manning, Josie Nixon, Chris Foster

—## Artists Amongst Us w/ Intimo Tango presents “The Human Experience” Venue: Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 9:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Dance, Storytelling, Theatre, World Premiere

Description: The Human Experience is a richly interdisciplinary performance that weaves tango, live music, and theater into five compelling, evocative, and stark stories depicting the human condition. The five “scenes” (Masculine/Feminine, Control and Conflict, Empathy, Connection, and Identity) each piece delves into a unique facet of being human—unraveling themes of connection, contradiction, memory, and emotion through movement and sound. Featuring world-class musicians and dancers, the show balances raw vulnerability with artistic precision. The Human Experience is a sensory journey—touching, provocative, and profoundly human—an experience that resonates as deeply in the body as it does in the heart.

Artists:

• Cynthia Giannini – Artistic Director and dancer
• Facundo Agüero Maisano – Director and dancer
• Noa Shapira – Writer/Actress/dancer
• Alberto Martinez – Writer/actor/singer
• Grisha Nisnevich – Musician/dancer
• Dominic Bridge – Dancer
• Anthony Leaf – Musician
• Pooja Maddonen – dancer/artist
• Loki Lobodenko – stage manager
• Anthony Lo – musician/dancer
• Isaac Daniel Allen – violinist
• Akvile Bear – dancer

—## The Waiting Room and Grace In No Order Venue: Redline Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 5:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 6:45 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:45 PM
Run Time: 35 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Theatre, World Premiere, LGBTQ+

Description: DOUBLE FEATURE: Two speculative fiction plays by Corinne Landy. In “The Waiting Room,” recently-deceased Walter Morris discovers he is on track to go to heaven. But will he go, when he knows his loved one is in hell? In “Grace In No Order,” a woman, trapped in a room with her rapist, confronts him. And then she does it again. And again. Both plays explore themes of grief, trauma, and making sense of the senseless.

Artists:

• Jim Hayes, Marlene Hall, Corinne Landy, Brandt Wintzen, Mike Moran (Performers)
• Directed by Johnny Thornton
• Music by Nora Landy
• Written and Produced by Corinne Landy
• Original illustration by Nat Morris
• Graphic Design by Brekke Klaus

Content warning – This performance discusses (but does not depict) domestic abuse, suicide, and sexual violence.

—## Nuptial Nightmares Venue: ZIKR, 2700 Arapahoe St, Ste 1BB, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:30 PM
Run Time: 1 hour 10 Minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: LGBTQ+, World Premiere, Comedy

Description: A screening wedding party travels to a rustic mountainside lodge to celebrate their friend’s forthcoming marriage. Spooky vibes pervade the air as a curious servant shows them to their rooms. All have been instructed beforehand to bring something strange or unexpected to make the weekend “extra cool and fun.” When a dark figure interrupts the night of revelry, everyone panics. But is that who is meant to scare them? What is actually happening here? Will they be able to unmask the imposter? Will Willoughby’s impression wedding party, Willoughby, is determined to ensure that everyone gets along. Using terrifying ghostly powers, unhinged ritual, and a raffle, they try to make this their friend’s perfect wedding weekend. But will they be able to overcome the sins of the priest, OJ, and the wedding party? And possibly the groom’s twin? Lol again?”

Artists: This production involves a large cast including:

• Dennis “Rat Wash” (as Phantom): Rat would like to thank friends for always encouraging exploration of unusual activites. Credits include Theater Company for creating safe space for everyone.
• Jamie “Kale Warriors” (They/Them): Making Denver debut with the production after 10 years in theater.
• Holden “Tasmanian Devil” (They/Them): Excited to perform in their first production with Phanus World Theatre.
• Tag “Performed in Arabic”: Excited to be part of the amazing cast
• Tag “Performed in English Kit”: Recently worked with Phamaly Theater Company
• Writer/Creator/Character: Mar Scruffy is a non-binary autistic creator focused on building community
• And many more talented performers

—## Cori & Tiel’s THESHŌ Presents: JŌ Kamel Talent SHŌ Venue: The Pearl Warehouse, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 5:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 60 min
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Comedy, Cabaret, LGBTQ+, Musical, BIPOC

Description: Bringing new meaning to “variety” show, THESHŌ challenges standup and improv comics to do anything but what they’re used to. Whether it’s song, music, trivia, or a mad dance number, you never know what you’ll see at THESHŌ, but it will always be unique and entertaining! In this episode of THESHŌ, Principal Pearce and gym teacher Ms. Stewart have to put on a talent show and raise funds to replace their problematic school mascot. They’ll have to dodge Superintendent Fritts while motivating students, teachers, and special guests to perform their extra special talents!

Artists:

• Cori Stewart: A Denver-based comic and founder of THESHŌ who performs standup all over the country but is happiest to laugh here with you.
• Tiel Pearce: A comic based in St. Louis and cofounder of THESHŌ, a standup, sketch writer, and improviser.
• Ella Fritts: Described as “frenetic” and “adorable” by the Riverfront Times, she is one of the most decorated comedians in St. Louis.
• Addie Lynn: A Denver-based comic whose comedy is inspired from her life as a trans woman who was raised in a Christian cult.
• Britt Boyd: A comedian based in Fort Collins who has performed at national festivals like Cloopity Comedy Festival.
• Chris Cyr: A standup comedian who has read Infinite Jest and prefers DFW’s essays instead.
• Joio Pride: A Denverite comedian who brings rapid fire energetic performance on stage.
• Jordan Etzel: When not reading tarot for cats and dogs, performs standup comedy. Originally from Ohio.
• Katie Bowman: A comedian and artist based out of Denver who released her debut comedy album, Neurodivergent Nightmare.
• Mike Hawkburns: A funny, delightful enigma performing jokes all over Colorado.
• Mitch Jones: Standup comedian, podcaster, actor, “mysterious fourth thing” who cohosts the Broadcast Geeks podcast.
• Sam Basson: A comedian based in Denver, known for sharp humor and engaging storytelling. Won Best of the Fest at the 2024 Colorado Springs Festival.

—## Mortisse Venue: Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 40 mins
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Comedy, Immersive, Physical Theatre, Solo Performance

Description: Through a mixture of performance art and clown, Skeleton Kit, a builder of worlds and a conduit of chaos, invites the audience into a whimsical world of play. With sheets that reveal, balloons that pop, and eggs that crack, explore the internal landscape of Skeleton Kit’s mind while participating in their many games for a goopley yay reward.

Artists:

• Cast: Skeleton Kit: Kit Clark – A performer, clown, teacher, creator, explorer, mover, shaker, and lover of all things uniquely unusual who has been performing all over Denver in places such as Chaos Bloom Theater, Rise Comedy, and many other places.
• Director: Julianna Beckert – A Denver-based performer and director with a background in dance and performance art who’s been creating strange silly bits long before she knew clown was a thing. She teaches clown and mindfulness practices.
• Music: Jeremy Kramer – A musician and multimedia artist from Denver inspired by the endless ocean and plains.

—## Fat & Horny (And Incredibly Anxious) Venue: RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 9:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Comedy, World Premiere, Solo Performance, Theatre, Storytelling

Description: Fat & Horny (And Incredibly Anxious) is a one-person show written, performed and produced by Rebecca Gholson. This is the story of a plus queen confronting her anxiety disorder at the intersection of sex and fatphobia. Rebecca genuinely and humorously reflects on the reality of dating as a fat lady and the mental health struggles exacerbated by insane societal expectations for what a woman “should” look like.

Artists:

• Rebecca Gholson (she/her): An actor, writer, director, improv and sketch comedian. Rebecca directed FoMo: Formerly Mormon, Denver Fringe Festival 2023’s winner for “Best Solo Performance – Comedy”. In 2021, Rebecca founded Queen City Sketch, a sketch comedy group run by female/femme identifying folks.
• Valerie Vasilas (she/they): A type-A ally goose who currently performs at RISE Comedy’s Monarch of the Mountain show.

—## No Sabo Venue: The Shop at MATTER, 2134 Market St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 7:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 PM
Run Time: 60 mins
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Storytelling, Comedy, BIPOC, Theatre

Description: A clock counts down as Christopher rushes to make up for lost time with Abel, his once estranged, 80-year-old Ecuadorian father, Maximo (no performance date). Abel and twin Christopher unpack their many relationships throughout this comedic solo-ish show filled with true stories, too many boxes and belated bonding. Despite their language barrier, can this father and son duo talk forgiveness, empathy and actually understand one another before time runs out?

Artist: Not specified in the available information. The show features Christopher’s story with his father.

—## BJ’s Big Case Venue: The Hideaway at Rise Comedy, 1260 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 6:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 9:00 PM
Run Time: 50 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Comedy, Devised, Immersive, Improvisation, Solo Performance, World Premiere

Description: Crime. Clown. Cheeseburgers. Tonight, BJ’s got one last shot to crack the case that’s haunted him his whole life. Denver’s scruffiest clown detective is in deep, and the only backup he’s got… is YOU! With his wits, and your help, he just might solve the case and bring justice to the community. If he doesn’t… Everyone’s a suspect. Everyone’s a detective. No one’s safe. Come ready to interrogate, investigate, and dive into the madness at BJ’s BIG CASE – clown comedy where the laughs are loud and the stakes are deadly. Clown-noir, chaos, and cheeseburgers collide at BJ’s Big Case.

Artists:

• Patrick Reed – Creator, Performer: Has been performing in comedy shows in Denver since late 2023, grateful for the community and currently performs at RISE (Future Ghost, Beige on Beige) and Chaos Bloom Theater.
• John Clayman – Show Director: An improviser and clown in Denver, known primarily for outstanding work with playing with a ball-in-a-cup.
• Jorge Soto – Technical Director: A Denver-based improviser, actor, and comedian who first learned tech while audio mixing for local bands.

—## The Greatest Garage Sale Ever Venue: RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Improvisation, Theatre

Description: The Greatest Garage Sale Ever is a one woman comedy cabaret featuring catchy original songs and hilarious characters created by Danielle Anderson of the folk music sensation Danielle Ate the Sandwich. The interactive show features bizarre yet endearing characters celebrating the power of nostalgia to remind us who we are and what we’ve lost, and feature catchy songs that will have you singing your way out of the theater. The Greatest Garage Sale Ever was the winner of “BEST OF VENUE,” “MADE IN KC” and “ENGLEWOOD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM” awards at KCFringe 2024.

Artist: Danielle Ate The Sandwich is the stage name of Danielle Anderson, a singer/songwriter, recording artist, and comedic performer based in Kansas City, MO. A self taught performer and musician, Danielle grew a fanbase with her DIY videos on Youtube and from touring the US extensively from 2009-2018. She has released seven full length albums of original music, with her 8th set to release in 2025. Danielle is a Charlotte Street Studio Resident (2023-2025) and an ArtsKC Inspiration Grant Recipient.

—## Transduction Venue: The Shop at MATTER, 2134 Market St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 8:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:30 PM
Run Time: 45 Min
Content: Adults Only
Genre: LGBTQ+, Solo Performance, Immersive, Theatre, Devised

Description: We all “know” Transgender people are being indoctrinated into being trans, but what would the indoctrination actually look like? Transduction is a look inside what that indoctrination ceremony might look like. The Transgender Alien guides the audience through the experience of being trans until the FBI finds them, and then it all goes astray.

Artists:

• Sam Charney: Performer/Creator
• Lynn Kutner: Producer
• Kriya Marie Marldorf: Poster design
• Katherine Helen Fischer, Mary Blel, and Steven Drukman: Advisors

—## All the Boys I Blocked Venue: The Learned Lemur, 2220 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 PM
Run Time: 45 min
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Storytelling, LGBTQ+, Circus, Solo Performance, Theatre

Description: Have you been ghosted? Do you want a song written about your ex? Are you clown curious? Then this is the show for you! Chanel & the Circus presents their solo clown musical All the Boys I Blocked, an accordion-driven rollercoaster of blocked exes, toxic/rock relationships, and ultimate self acceptance. Highly interactive, audience members get to share their “blocked” stories and lucky audience members may even get to date Chanel live. Come connect in the catharsis.

Artist: Chanel & the Circus has been making queer music, videos, and events for the past 10 years from London to Los Angeles. They are touring their solo clown musical “All the Boys I Blocked” this year along with their self-produced album. Chanel creates a tantalizing mix of rock and theater to say stages with interactive elements and an ultimate message of self love.

—## Feverdream Venue: The Learned Lemur, 2220 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 55 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Comedy, Theatre

Description: What defines a sketch show? Punchlines? Blackouts? A rotating celebrity host? Memoriam Development breaks all the so called rules with feverdream, the anti sketch show where we create an experience that will leave you asking “WTF did I just watch?”

Artists:

• Written by Amanda Davila, AJ Ksopa, Nick Mataragas, and Allan Morgan
• Stars Amanda Davila, Dari Hoske, Carissa Lehning, and Nick Mataragas
• Amanda Davila: An actor, writer, director, producer and singer with over 20 years experience performing on stage and in video and podcasts.
• Carissa Lehning: A performer who played Eleanor and Macduff’s daughter in Macbeth and Weelie Cliffort in The Cover of Life.
• Dari Hoske: An Elgin native with experience in improv, dialects, mime, videography, editing and puppeteering.
• Nick Mataragas: A former high school Alternative Education and Graphic Design teacher, the Founder and Executive Director of Memoriam Development, the Artistic Director of the Elgin Fringe Festival, and more.

—## Plant: The Musical Venue: Hope Tank, 1434 E 22nd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 5:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 50 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Musical, Comedy

Description: The world is ending in a million different ways, and nobody knows what to do. But what if there was one, simple solution that could fix everything? In order to save humanity, what if all you had to do was become a …….. plant? A two person musical where both actors play the same character at the exact same time, PLANT is the story of a young kid who has been tasked to find the Unified Theory of Solutions, the one thing that can solve every problem in the world; for if every problem is connected, one solution is what binds them. How hard could it be?

Artists:

• Written, Directed, and Performed by Isabelle Bushue and Jackson Pelz
• Isabelle Bushue (she/her/hers): An actor, songwriter, and aspiring Cantonese cook with credits including American Players Theater and UNC School of The Arts.
• Jackson Pelz (he/him/his): A composer, songwriter and producer based in Crown Heights, New York City who began taking musical theater classes at The Flat Rock Playhouse at a young age.

—## The Horrors That Persist Venue: Big Up Studios, 3410 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 45 mins
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Solo Performance, Devised, Physical Theatre

Description: The Horrors That Persist is a journey through the anxiety and hopeless vs. hopeful dichotomy that lives within all of us. As history continues to repeat itself, we face the same mix of emotions that those who rallied before us did. This piece is partially tech horror and partially autobiographical. A guided meditation track takes us through a rather strange ritual that pushes the performer to confront the pit of despair inside. However the piece ends with a hopeful message, told through movement. The condition of the soul is a need for community.

Artists:

• Arden Phanes: Performer, playwright, director – a theatre artisan who created the project Phanes World Theatre and is very excited to share their very first production. They achieved their BA and have been working consistently in the industry for the last seven years.
• Erin Kubat: Sound Design – has worked on over 20 shows as a sound designer, engineer, and technician. Recent production credits include The Sin Eater (DU), Mary Poppins (Wesley Players), Shakespeare’s R&J (DU), and more.

—## Avalanche Venue: The Learned Lemur, 2220 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: Not specified
Genre: Magic, Solo Performance

Description: Memory is attention in the past. If someone can control your attention, they can control what you remember. In Avalanche, join New York mentalist and Denver native Max Davidson for an evening of magic, mind reading, and memory stunts where the audience plays a central role. Max is fresh off two sold-out, nationwide tours, and performances at the Magic Castle.

Artist: Max Davidson, a mentalist and performer from Denver who has performed nationwide and at the prestigious Magic Castle.

—## Galaxias: Find Your Universe Venue: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater, 119 Park Ave W, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 60 Minutes
Content: Family-Friendly
Genre: Circus, Family-Friendly, Immersive, Clown, Puppetry, Storytelling, Theatre

Description: Get ready for a circus-fueled journey to the far reaches of the universe and discover the wonder that exists in the everyday. Soul Penny Circus is back with an all new, full length original production. Join a weary Clown as he escapes his predictable world to journey through the stars – encountering dazzling celestial wonders, cosmic conflicts, and the beauty of connection. Laugh, cry, soar past the stars, and gain a whole new perspective of your universe. This breathtaking circus show weaves artistry and imagination into a timeless tale of exploration and self-discovery.

Artists:

• Clown Dingus- Joe
• Phota- Sun- Marci
• Nefra-Moon, Waitress Altair- Jeanne
• Fini- Dark Star and antagonist- Megan S
• Clown Wingus- Tim
• Electra Star- Megan H
• Proto Star- Joey
• Grava – Diner Queen-planet star- Rachael
• Waitress Vega, Gia/Pulse- planet star puppet- Fae

—## Raw Groove Presents…Life of the Party at the Fringe Venue: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 9:30 PM
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Dance, BIPOC

Description: After a sold-out 2024 debut, Life of the Party returns to the Denver Fringe Festival — bigger, bolder, and even more electric. Rooted in the rhythms of Black diasporic dance, this high-energy show fuses dynamic performances, live music, and an unforgettable after party. Last year, we explored what we seek in nightlife: community, love, and freedom. This year, we dive deeper — celebrating who we become when we find it. Through the pulse of house, Afrobeats, hip-hop, and more, Life of the Party transforms the dance floor into a space of release, renewal, and rebirth. Come for the performance. Stay for the party. Leave transformed.

Artists: Not specified in the available information.

—## Homophobia In the Snow Uphill Both Ways Venue: Fort Greene Bar, 321 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80216
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 5:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: LGBTQ+, Comedy, Theatre

Description: When Axle and Kent meet up for an arranged drink, neither are intending to have a good time. Brought together by Axle’s mom but separated by 40 years and clashing visions of gay liberation, Homophobia in the Snow Uphill Both Ways asks us to reckon with our responsibilities to our elders, our responsibilities to our youth, and the animosity which breeds where solidarity could bloom. In equal parts dragging and honoring Gen-Xers, boomers, and all the gays and theys in between, this interview-based intergenerational comedy will make you consider what is at stake when we ignore our histories or dismiss our futures.

Artists:

• Olivia Buntaine – Writer/Director
• Alex Washburn – Stage Manager
• Meg Burless – Axle
• Troy Lakey – Kent

—## The Heart of Circinus Venue: Big Up Studios, 3410 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 8:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 5:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Musical, Improvisation, Immersive, Comedy, Physical Theatre, Family-Friendly, BIPOC

Description: Step into a world of illogic and whimsy with Melo and Blake in The Heart of Circinus! A dramatic comedy featuring live musical accompaniment by Jesse LE. Immersive, improvised, out there.

Artists:

• Melo and Blake are contemporary clowns who can both be seen in comedic, improvised, and performing arts theater productions year-round in the Denver metro area.
• Jesse is a musician and comedian based in Lakewood, CO. He has been playing piano for 30 years and accompanying improvisers for 15.

—## Puppetry Fundamentals Workshop Venue: Hope Tank, 1434 E 22nd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 11:30 AM
Run Time: 75 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Workshop, Puppetry, Free

Description: Join award-winning puppeteers Katy Williams and Cinco for a workshop exploring the fundamentals of puppetry. You will learn how to make any object come to life through breath, focus, and weight. Learn the same puppetry techniques that will be used in Fringe shows, Blue Silk and The Big Bug Adventure. Come dressed to move and groove!

Artists: Katy Williams and Cinco, both accomplished puppeteers who are also involved with the Blue Silk puppet show at the festival.

—## FESTIVAL TIPS & INFORMATION

Ticket Information

• Most shows range from 25-60 minutes in length
• Individual tickets available for each show
• Buy tickets online through the Denver Fringe Festival website or at the venue before performances (subject to availability)
• Consider buying a multi-show pass for the best value

Venue Information

• Venues are spread across several Denver neighborhoods including RiNo, Five Points, East Colfax, and downtown
• Many venues are within walking distance of each other
• Free parking available at most venues
• Consider using rideshare services if attending multiple shows in different locations

Special Notes

• Content warnings are provided for shows that contain sensitive material
• “Adults Only” generally means the material is intended for 18+ audiences due to language, themes, or content
• “General/All Ages” shows are suitable for most audiences, but individual discretion is advised
• Free shows and workshops do not require tickets, but space may be limited

Planning Your Festival Experience

1. Check schedules carefully – many shows have multiple performance times
2. Allow 30+ minutes between shows at different venues for travel time
3. Arrive 15-20 minutes before showtime
4. Shows start promptly at the listed time
5. Consider show themes and content when planning your itinerary
6. Try to experience different types of performances – theater, dance, puppetry, comedy, etc.

— the Party at the Fringe (The People’s Building)

• The Horrors That Persist (Big Up Studios)
• Mortisse (Savoy Denver)

Solo Performance

• PRISON BOXING (Savoy Denver)
• SLÜRT (The People’s Building)
• The Audition: One Magician’s Quest (The Learned Lemur)
• Avalanche (The Learned Lemur)
• Smaller Griefs (Hope Tank)
• Transduction (The Shop at MATTER)
• Prospero’s Black Box (The Bug Theatre)
• Fat & Horny (And Incredibly Anxious) (RISE Comedy)
• No Sabo (The Shop at MATTER)

LGBTQ+ Focused

• SLÜRT (The People’s Building)
• Homophobia In the Snow Uphill Both Ways (Fort Greene Bar)
• All the Boys I Blocked (The Learned Lemur)
• Transduction (The Shop at MATTER)
• Cori & Tiel’s THESHŌ Presents: JŌ Kamel Talent SHŌ (The Pearl Warehouse)
• Nuptial Nightmares (ZIKR)

Free & Family-Friendly Events

• First Friday at The Truss House – The Lucid Dreamer (The Truss House)
• Sweatin’ Wild (The Bird Lot)
• Puppetry Fundamentals Workshop (Hope Tank)
• Galaxias: Find Your Universe (Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater)

BIPOC-Created Shows

• Raw Groove Presents…Life of the Party at the Fringe (The People’s Building)
• No Sabo (The Shop at MATTER)
• Ink Addicted (The Learned Lemur)
• Cori & Tiel’s THESHŌ Presents: JŌ Kamel Talent SHŌ (The Pearl Warehouse)

—ur)

• Puppetry Fundamentals Workshop (Hope Tank)

Adults Only Shows

• PRISON BOXING (Savoy Denver)
• SLÜRT (The People’s Building)
• Prospero’s Black Box (The Bug Theatre)
• REEL (The Bug Theatre)
• Featherbrain (Big Up Studios)
• Ink Addicted (The Learned Lemur)
• Raw Groove Presents…Life of the Party at the Fringe (The People’s Building)
• The Horrors That Persist (Big Up Studios)
• Plant: The Musical (Hope Tank)
• All the Boys I Blocked (The Learned Lemur)
• Transduction (The Shop at MATTER)
• The Greatest Garage Sale Ever (RISE Comedy)

—dream (The Learned Lemur)

• All the Boys I Blocked (The Learned Lemur)
• The Greatest Garage Sale Ever (RISE Comedy)
• Homophobia In the Snow Uphill Both Ways (Fort Greene Bar)

Puppetry & Clown

• Blue Silk (The Pearl Warehouse)
• Puppetry Fundamentals Workshop (Hope Tank)
• Lavender Juice Presents: A Clown Ballet Cabaret (The Bug Theatre)
• Galaxias: Find Your Universe (Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater)
• Featherbrain (Big Up Studios)

Dance & Physical Theatre

• Raw Groove Presents…Life of the Party at the Fringe (The People’s Building)
• The Horrors That Persist (Big Up Studios)

Solo Performance

• PRISON BOXING (Savoy Denver)
• SLÜRT (The People’s Building)
• The Audition: One Magician’s Quest (The Learned Lemur)
• Avalanche (The Learned Lemur)
• Smaller Griefs (Hope Tank)
• Transduction (The Shop at MATTER)
• Prospero’s Black Box (The Bug Theatre)

LGBTQ+ Focused

• SLÜRT (The People’s Building)
• Homophobia In the Snow Uphill Both Ways (Fort Greene Bar)
• All the Boys I Blocked (The Learned Lemur)
• Transduction (The Shop at MATTER)

Free & Family-Friendly Events

• First Friday at The Truss House – The Lucid Dreamer (The Truss House)
• Sweatin’ Wild (The Bird Lot)
• Puppetry Fundamentals Workshop (Hope Tank)
• Galaxias: Find Your Universe (Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater)

—# Denver Fringe Festival 2025

June 6-8, 2025

A celebration of unconventional performance art across Denver and Aurora venues

The Denver Fringe Festival is a vibrant, uncensored performing arts festival featuring a diverse array of innovative and original shows across multiple venues. With more than 40 productions spanning theater, dance, comedy, circus, puppetry, immersive experiences, and more, this year’s festival offers something for every taste and age group.

FESTIVAL DATES: Thursday, June 5 – Sunday, June 8, 2025 VENUES: Multiple locations across Denver and Aurora TICKETS: Available through the Denver Fringe Festival website or at venues (subject to availability)

VENUE GUIDE

Big Up Studios

3410 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205

• 800 Years Young: a music & comedy experience (Thu 5:00 PM, Fri 6:30 PM, Sat 8:00 PM)
• Featherbrain (Thu 6:30 PM, Fri 8:00 PM, Sun 5:00 PM)

The Bug Theatre

3654 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211

• Prospero’s Black Box (Fri 6:30 PM, Sat 6:30 PM)
• REEL (Thu 6:30 PM, Fri 5:00 PM, Sat 5:00 PM)
• Lavender Juice Presents: A Clown Ballet Cabaret (Fri 8:00 PM, Sat 9:30 PM, Sun 6:30 PM)

The Learned Lemur

2220 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

• The Audition: One Magician’s Quest (Thu 9:30 PM, Sat 9:30 PM, Sun 6:30 PM)
• Ink Addicted (Thu 5:00 PM, Fri 9:30 PM, Sat 6:30 PM)

Other Venues

• Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205: PRISON BOXING (Thu 6:30 PM, Fri 6:30 PM, Sat 8:00 PM)
• The Pearl Warehouse, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205: Blue Silk (Thu 8:00 PM, Fri 9:30 PM)
• Hope Tank, 1434 E 22nd Ave, Denver, CO 80205: Smaller Griefs (Sat 3:30 PM, Sun 6:30 PM)
• The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010: SLÜRT (Thu 6:30 PM, Fri 8:00 PM, Sat 8:00 PM)
• The Bird Lot, 2532 Larimer Street, Denver, CO, 80205: Sweatin’ Wild (Fri 6:00 PM)
• The Truss House, 3400 Arkins Ct, Denver, CO 80216: First Friday – The Lucid Dreamer (Fri 5:00 PM)

800 Years Young: a music & comedy experience

Venue: Big Up Studios, 3410 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 5:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 50 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Comedy, Improvisation, Immersive, Theatre, Solo Performance, LGBTQ+

Description: “800 Years Young” follows the origin and tasks of Dandy, a bard who’s lived on earth for the last 800 years. Today is his 800th birthday, wherein the audience are his birthday party attendees. To preserve his ongoing immortality, he must complete 10 tasks in 45 minutes: serenading an audience member, beatboxing, and offering a Q&A are examples of his historical fiction for all ages.

Artist: Luke “Skippy” Harbur is a performer, producer, and educator whose project, musicbyskippy, creates arts experiences for multigenerational audiences. His work celebrates authenticity and combats social isolation. Harbur’s accolades include a 2023 Minnesota Fringe Spirit Pick Award and 2021 KC Fringe awards for Best Music Show and Best Variety Show.

PRISON BOXING

Venue: Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 60 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Theatre

Description: Before Sing Sing, there was Leah Joki and her one-woman show Prison Boxing. Want to know what prison is really like? Leah Joki takes the audience on a journey into prison culture and bureaucracy based on her career as a theater teacher and arts administrator in the most high-profile rehabilitative arts program in the country. She worked in 30 prisons in California for more than two decades. This expansive map tours from the brilliant Dame Stella Adeki to falling in love with maximum-security prison. In her one-hour tour de force performance she plays 14 different autobiographical characters.

Artist: Leah Joki has worked extensively in prison arts programs and brings her wealth of experience to this compelling performance that offers a compassionate, yet realistic glimpse inside prison in a way that reflects humanity in all its forms—from humorous to utterly horrifying.

SLÜRT

Venue: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 PM
Run Time: 55 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Solo Performance, Comedy, Cabaret, Physical Theatre, LGBTQ+, Clown, Storytelling

Description: Does anyone speak my language? Slürt isla manashkit kleinanta estlika ma prrrrtla. Slürt dreams in a language only she can speak. Born completely alone in Antarctica, she feels the pull of something cosmic and begins a very long journey across the icy pond. Will anyone understand her?

Artist: Emily Maverick is a professional time traveler, comedian, writer, clown, and voiceover artist in Los Angeles, California. Cohost of the cosmic variety show Twin Flames, she has performed in basements, tennis clubs, and yacht clubs. Winner of the 2023 Denver Fringe award for Creative Storytelling for her show “Fare Thee Well.”

Blue Silk

Venue: The Pearl Warehouse, 2199 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 8:00 PM; Friday, June 6 at 9:30 PM
Run Time: 40 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Puppetry, Devised

Description: A dreamlike puppet show where a silk dealer and mysterious puppet grapple with addiction in a haunting fairy tale world. Through mesmerizing imagery and masterful puppetry, their intertwined journey illuminates the personal and social costs of substance abuse while exploring themes of redemption and hope.

Artists: Created by Cinco (Writer, Director, Puppet Designer) with a team including Katy Williams (Puppeteer and Trenchfoot Designer), Maia Rychlik (Puppeteer), Ryan Sturt (Puppeteer), Seth Lindsey (Mr. Trenchfoot), Whit MacLaughlin (Narrator), Michael “Dola” Amendola (Voice Work), Johnny Bartlett (Technical Director), Kit Mathews (Projection Designer), and Sam Morin (Composer).

Smaller Griefs

Venue: Hope Tank, 1434 E 22nd Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Saturday, June 7 at 3:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Solo Performance, Musical, Storytelling

Description: Smaller Griefs is a one-woman electro-pop and poetry-forward song cycle that meditates on the experience of being alive (or in other words, experiencing grief). Listeners travel through the shattering of hope, the blazing of anger, the wheedling of bargaining, eventually arriving at something like acceptance.

Artists:

• Elle Tyler (performer/writer): A classically trained pianist whose music melds influences from Chopin to Jason Robert Brown, mixing the singability of pop with the extended chords of late-night jazz. Based in the Front Range of Colorado, she founded the Commissioned Composer Project and co-created the New Musical Project.
• CJane Symonds (writer): An Australian short fiction and poetry author currently living in Ankara, Türkiye, who began writing poetry during Australia’s 2020 bushfires and continues to explore experiences of living overseas.

Featherbrain

Venue: Big Up Studios, 3410 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 PM; Friday, June 6 at 8:00 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: 50 minutes
Content: Adults Only
Genre: Comedy, Physical Theatre, Devised, Solo Performance, Burlesque, World Premiere

Description: A naive human wakes up one day to find a red feather sprouting from a mysterious place. It twitches. It wants things. It thrusts them into erotic hallucinations, wet fever dreams, and an unhinged struggle for control and liberation. Influenced by Lucille Ball and David Lynch, FEATHERBRAIN is a one-person surrealist avant-clown comedy.

Artists:

• Madly Rosett (Creator/Performer): A performer with over twenty years of experience in theater, musical theater, Shakespeare, stand-up, improv, and clown. Based in Denver, she performs regularly in the local comedy and clown scene.
• Caroline Krantz (Musician): An improv comedian and violinist with 24 years of classical training who can be found performing with her clown country band or dumpster diving.
• Mathea Tanner & Todd Sullivan (Co-Directors): Experienced theater professionals with backgrounds in creative writing, directing, and performance.

The Audition: One Magician’s Quest To Join The Magic Castle’s Academy Of Magical Arts

Venue: The Learned Lemur, 2220 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Performances: Thursday, June 5 at 9:30 PM; Saturday, June 7 at 9:30 PM; Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 PM
Run Time: 45 minutes
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Magic, Storytelling, Solo Performance, Theatre

Description: Have you heard of the Magic Castle – Los Angeles’ exclusive, members-only haven for the world’s greatest magicians? This year, Denver magician James Lopez sets his sights on becoming one of them with a full-length audition show that’s equal parts magic, storytelling, and self-revelation.

Artist: James Lopez (Creator and Performer), with producers Edward Hammond, Gerald Robinson, and Will Rader.

First Friday at The Truss House – The Lucid Dreamer

Venue: The Truss House, 3400 Arkins Ct, Denver, CO 80216
Performances: Friday, June 6 at 5:00 PM
Run Time: Not specified
Content: General/All Ages
Genre: Free, Musical, Storytelling

Description: Join the FringeART First Friday event at the Truss House featuring a showcase of FringeART pieces and a FREE performance of “The Lucid Dreamer.” Michel, the Lovely Lucid Dreamer, has the unique ability to pull music notes out of thin air and create symphonies out of nothing—the more vivid his dreams, the stronger his ability.

Artist: DovJ (performer)

— find her artist’s path she bravely follows a gaggle of clowns through a fever dream. With ballet, tap, tango, and clowning she is able to release what tradition has suppressed and what is no longer serving her. This journey gives permission to reach back into what tradition has taught and find what it meant underneath.

Artists:

• Lavi McConaughey (The Lavender Sleaze): A force in burlesque who merges extensive backgrounds in dance and theater, specializing in costuming, clowning, and improvisation.
• Katya Scott: A performer with over 15 years of dance experience and 3 years in burlesque.
• Christiana Wheeler: An interdisciplinary artist specializing in dance who graduated from Cornish College of the Arts and directs the CarnivalGlass Dance Theater.
• Shae Nance: A Boulder-based movement artist with extensive training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, heels, burlesque, and more.
• Noa Shapira: A performing artist passionate about theater and dance who creates pieces that invite audiences to think critically.