The 12th annual Atlanta Fringe Festival returns June 3-9

The Atlanta Fringe Festival has announced its largest lineup yet – with 28 performing groups from seven different states and Thailand – featuring live theater, dance, puppetry, comedy, storytelling and more Again.

This year’s festival, which runs June 3-9 at seven local venues, will also feature a free performance hall for family-friendly performances and activities; a free outdoor festival featuring Atlanta street performers; a variety benefit featuring local Atlanta talent; and audio artists whose work will be available exclusively on the Atlanta Fringe podcasting network.

The festival includes shows for all tastes, with entertainment taking over venues around Little Five Points, East Atlanta Village and Old Fourth Ward. This year’s traditional and converted performance spaces include 7 Stages, The Marianna at Wrecking Bar Brewpub, Limelight Theater, Metropolitan Studios and Dynamic El Dorado.

“We can honestly say this is one of the most dynamic lineups we’ve ever put together,” said Diana Brown, executive director of the Atlanta Fringe Festival. “We have brought together a group of exceptional artists from around the world ready to engage audiences for days of eccentric and inspiring performances. It’s overwhelming… but in the best way!

In keeping with festival tradition, the 28 companies in this year’s lineup were chosen primarily through a non-jury lottery of approximately 100 global entries. As in previous years, the 12th Atlanta Fringe Festival will feature live performances across the theatrical spectrum, from burlesque freak cabarets to ensemble comedy, modern dance, puppetry and magicians. Festival artists will be eligible for cash excellence awards in various categories selected by the audience, staff and a panel of judges from the Atlanta arts community.

In addition to the core of the festival, the live performances, additional programming will include:

• FREE Shows for the Whole Family at East Atlanta Kids Club from Saturday June 8 at 10 a.m. Featuring puppets, storytelling, games, crafts and more, these shows are suitable for children ages 0-18.
• FREE preview performance on 7 stages Wednesday June 5 at 7 p.m. The 28 shows will have three minutes each to impress the 7 Scènes audience, allowing them to get to know the artists. This is typically a standing room only event, so participants are encouraged to arrive early.
• FREE Atlanta Street Bangs To take place From June 7 to 9 around the Petit Village 5 Points. Street Fringe is a platform dedicated to street artists and street performers of all kinds! Activations around Little 5 will allow artists to interact with pedestrians in one of Atlanta’s coolest, quirkiest and most beloved neighborhoods.
• Benefit Show – Five/Fifths of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure will start the festival Monday June 3 at 7 p.m. at 7 Stages. By dividing this classic film into five parts and putting them into five very different groups of performances, we get the most unique (and triumphant) tale of all time.

In addition to live performances, the Atlanta Fringe Festival will once again host an audio component: Fringe Audio. The only podcast network of its kind on the fringe circuit, Fringe Audio will present storytelling and radio theater pieces – many of them world premieres – from local and national artists. Streaming on AtlantaFringe.org on May 20, the shows are free and a $200 cash prize will be offered to the winner of the Critics’ Choice Award, recognizing excellence in podcast production.