Fresh faces: Meet six newbies to Orlando’s International Fringe Festival
There are only so many firsts you will have in your life. Your first words. First step. First kiss. You get the point. They are moments to cherish (even if some you have no recollection of). Someone got to enjoy them.
And maybe, if you are lucky, your parents captured that first awkward step on video so they can share it with you. I remember my first Orlando Fringe experience: It was a flop. But the environment and every show I’ve seen since has been exceptional (of course I now lean into Orlando Sentinel theater critic Matthew J. Palm’s advice for selecting what I see).
And if I’m honest, that first show, although not my cup of tea, piqued my interest in seeing what else was out there. Last year, the Orlando Sentinel featured Fringe veterans in our Faces of Fringe. This year, it is all about the first-timers.
These performers, directors and musicians are all newbies to the 2024 Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, taking place May 17-27 at Orlando’s Loch Haven Park and various other locations (information at orlandofringe.org). Keep an eye out for their shows, and help make their first times memorable.
Orlando Fringe Festival returns: A good dog, a sad girl and the gays
Kyona Levine Farmer
Kyona Levine Farmer is the writer and director of “Bobby Lee Blood.” Her play centers on Naomi Morris, who grew up being told that she was going to end up like her dad, Bobby Lee, said to be a monster. Now that Morris is older, she’s going back to her hometown to find out what she can about the man she loved — but whom everyone else seemed to hate.
The story deals with themes of generational trauma and mental health issues, but Farmer says it is wildly fun, unusually suspenseful and thought-provoking.
Originally written as a one-woman show, “Bobby Lee Blood” now has alternate, multi-performer versions.
“I came up with the idea to use two demographically different casts to tell the same story,” Farmer says. “My hope is to show how universal some issues and struggles are.”
She’s excited to present “Bobby Lee Blood” at Orlando Fringe.
“As a writer, it’s exciting to be able to produce and direct an original show that people may actually attend,” Farmer shares. “It is just as exciting to see what other artists are doing to showcase their creativity, as well.”
Scarlet Venue: Orlando Family Stage building, 1001 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. Noon May 18; 10:50 p.m. May 19; 8:20 p.m. May 21; 9:20 p.m. May 25; 9:15 p.m. May 26.
Laila Lee
Laila Lee brings “The Light Bringer” to Fringe. In this one-woman show, Lee shares her experiences growing up Muslim in the American South, how she discovers her place in the world and what sacrifices she must make. It is an Arab immigrant’s story of family, freedom and finding the American Dream.
In her storytelling, Lee often uses humor to navigate difficult topics.
No Fringe for you? 6 other Central Florida arts events in May
She explains, “Growing up Arab in the South, humor helped me manage unpleasant experiences and cope with difficulties. It allowed me to find something to laugh about, even in situations like culture shock, having a unibrow, and being told that everything is “haram” or forbidden. Even in the midst of cultural differences, physical imperfections or strict traditions, humor can bridge the gap and bring me and the audience together. It reminds us that despite our differences, we all share the same joys and struggles in life.”
However, Lee points out that it isn’t all laughs in “The Light Bringer.”
“While there is a lot of light-hearted humor in my story, be prepared for some heart-wrenching moments as well,” she says. “Unfortunately, there are some traumatic experiences that are not so happy. But in the end, the outcomes bring light to those tough times and hopefully shine a light on those who need it.”
Blue Venue: Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. 8:05 p.m. May 16; 5:35 p.m. May 17; 7 p.m. May 23; 9:20 p.m. May 25
Jeremiah “Miah” Gibbons
Jeremiah “Miah” Gibbons brings a solo cabaret, “Miah in Love,” to Orlando Fringe. Not only does Gibbons star in the show — trusty ukulele in hand — but the first-time Fringe performer is the show’s creator, producer, director and writer. Gibbons takes the audience on a journey of love through its quirks and queerness, all through original songs.
“Orlando Fringe is such a perfect place for unusual and unexpected theater,” Gibbons says. “There’s also a level of community, seeing all these artists come together to share their work, as well as the excitement of filling up your schedule with shows, curating your own theatrical escapade.”
Creating “Miah in Love” was inevitable, Gibbons explains: “I am constantly writing music. My therapy is once I’ve gone through a big emotion or a tough time, I sing it out. I feel a lot of things, so I made a lot of music. Therefore, it was about time I tied it all together in a narrative to showcase this piece of me.”
Starlite Room: Savoy, 1913 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando.1:20 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 19; 7 p.m. May 20; 6 p.m. May 25; noon May 26
Orlando Fringe Festival returns: A good dog, a sad girl and the gays
Jennifer Gray
Jennifer Gray brings her story, “Life as My Favorite Obstacle Course,” to Orlando Fringe. The play tells the true story of how Gray became disabled as an adult — and how that actually launched her out of the corporate world as a software engineer and into the music career she had always dreamed of.
The obstacle course in the title of her show is how Gray navigates everyday life as a wheelchair user. However, she points out that this show isn’t just about identifying the difficulties; it is also about “the many incredible ways that my needs have been met and opportunities presented themselves.”
Her involvement with the 2024 Fringe Festival seemed written in stars.
“This is my very first year writing and producing a show at Orlando Fringe,” she says. “I had talked about creating this inspirational cabaret for years, and when I saw the [Fringe’s] new promo graphic that had a wheelchair on it, I knew immediately this was my sign to go for it. … In a world where I’m often excluded because of being in a power wheelchair, this time, I actually felt seen and included.”
Orlando Ballet, Annie Russell Theatre leaders leave posts
She shares her story all while performing favorites from the Great American Songbook, Broadway, Disney, gospel and pop. And she does all this with her adorable service dog, Tonka, at her side.
Gray shares that Tonka is an active participant in the show. “One section of the show is my service dog, Tonka, demonstrating some of the skills he uses to help me be independent, and he even “sings” me a song. This show truly is a celebration of not giving up and living an amazing life in spite of tremendous challenges.”
Blue Venue: Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. 7 p.m. May 15; 7:05 p.m. May 17; 4:55 p.m. May 19; 12:15 p.m. May 25; 3:20 p.m. May 26
Andrew Heidorn
Andrew Heidorn wrote the book, music and lyrics for “Tanabata: A New Musical.” He also stars in the lead role as Ren. The love story takes place in 1990s San Francisco, following Ren and Mei and their search for something or someone more.
“Many plot points and songs in this show were inspired by my own family and life events,” explains Heidorn. “The real events that happened in the 1990s shaped the framework of the show’s themes, its location, as well as the time period.”
To Heidorn, the festival feels personally important.
“Being a part of Orlando Fringe this year has allowed me to produce my first fully original musical,” he says. “I grew up watching shows covering many different stories but never got the chance to see a show where people like myself were represented. Fringe has given me the opportunity to write a show where myself, as well as many other Asian Americans, are the focal point and heart of the show.”
Teal Venue: Fringe ArtSpace, 54 W. Church St. in Orlando. 9:20 p.m. May 15; 10:15 p.m. May 18; 7:05 p.m. May 23; 5:35 p.m. May 25
Vanessa Frances and Andy Renae
Producer and playwright Vanessa Frances brings “The Magic Castle Still Stands” to life. The play follows the journey of Harvey by train to New York City. Her adventure takes an unexpected turn when the train she’s on collides with a car, tying her journey to the other passengers onboard and to her past.
Frances was inspired to write “The Magic Castle Still Stands” during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was laid off from her first “big girl” job. After feeling “stuck” she booked a train ride to stay with a friend to clear her head. “The show came together as a reflection of myself and my desire to push past my limitations, heal and move on, with the movement of the train north as the primary catalyst,” she says.
Frances explains what it means to be part of the festival.
“Orlando Fringe is such an important part of the arts and culture scene in the city,” she says. “I am always reminded in these situations that there are so many profoundly creative and talented people in this city, and it is such a great opportunity to watch the work of many of them come to life.”
Scarlet Venue: Orlando Family Stage, 1001 E Princeton St. in Orlando. 1 p.m. May 18; 6:20 p.m. May 19; 6:50 p.m. May 21; 8:45 p.m. May 24; 7:45 p.m. May 26
Wait, what? We can be late to a Fringe show? (Well, yes… and no)
