Ah, the Capital Fringe Fest. A wonderful three-week festival of theater, music, storytelling and dance that has occurred every July for the past 10 years. I participated in my first Fringe Fest in 2013 (OK Stupid, ya’ll) and return this summer with my second play, Ambien Date Night.
What I’ve grown to love about Fringe is that everything about it is extremely well run, and extremely confusing. Think the Gamemakers from The Hunger Games. I feel the pain of the virgin Fringe-goer who is wandering down H Street in a dazed panic (assuming they made it there), and for that reason have compiled a brief but extremely important list of Fringe FAQs to aid in your Fringegoing experience. Let me know if I’ve left anything out!
Buying Tickets
Q: How much are tickets?
Tickets are generally $17, plus $7 for a Fringe button. Tickets are cheaper if you buy a multi-ticket pass, or if you are a Fringe artist and use your artist pass to buy tickets at the door.
Q: So wait, I need a ticket AND a button?
Yup. But you only need to buy the button once, no matter how many shows you see. It gets you into the “festival,” while the individual ticket gets you into a show.
Q: OK. And everyone needs a button?
Correct. Unless you have a producer comp or are under 13.
Q: Why are the tickets so expensive?
Well, I’m not here to tell you what is and isn’t expensive. $24 for a ticket and button certainly is a decent chunk of change.
I am, however, here to remind you that just spent $14 on a salad at lunch.
Q: Got it. And you’re sure about the whole button thing, though?
I’m sure.
Getting There
Q: What’s the easiest way to get to Fringe via public transportation?
The X2 bus from Chinatown.
Q: Oh God. The bus?
Yes. The bus. It’ll be OK.
Q: But, and be honest with me, am I going to die on the bus?
I think it is very unlikely that you will die on the bus.
Q: Well… what about the trolley? Isn’t there a trolley instead?
It’s not running yet. Take the bus.
Q: Okay. But…
You know what? Just call an Uber.
Doing The Most
Q: I bought a ticket and button, and rode a bus without dying, and saw a show. Now what?
See more shows! Now that you already have the Fringe button, tickets will be an easy $17 from here on out (or less if you do the pass thing).
Also, if you’re on Twitter or Facebook, you could tweet or post about the shows you saw, which helps with marketing. (We’re at @ambiendatenight and Facebook.com/AmbienDateNight).
Q: Sure. Any other recommendations for doing the most?
Volunteer with Fringe! They’ll train you to collect tickets at the venue box offices, which is fun (after the first time) and makes you feel like a bookie. Plus, for each shift you work, you get a voucher to see a show for free (still need a button, though. see above).
Happy Fringing guys, and be sure to check out one of the last 3 shows of Ambien Date Night!