The Edmonton International Fringe Festival

August 14-24, 2025

Fringe is our favourite time of year! The theatre is bursting with energy and excitement as 8 incredible producers present 64 performances in just 10 days. From burlesque to improv, comedy to drag, there’s a show for everyone. Tickets go on sale August 6. Our shows sell fast—don’t miss out!

Our Fringe Programming

CAROLE OF THE BELLES

The annual Christmas concert is loaming, where the Silver Belles Hand Bell Chorus will play The Carole of the Bells and things are not going well. A mysterious stranger arrives to replace an injured bell ringer at the last moment...A new comedy from the team behind last summer's hit musical MASS DEBATING.

Playwright: Trevor Schmidt
Director: Trevor Schmidt
Cast: Michelle Todd, Kristin Johnston, Trevor Schmidt, Jason Hardwick, Jake Tkaczyk, Cheryl Jameson
Designers: Trevor Schmidt

DIENASTY!

EDMONTON’S LIVE

IMPROVISED SOAP OPERA

Your favourite cast and your favourite characters are back to take on all things Fringe. What's going to happen? We have no idea! If you think you know Die-Nasty - think again. We're back and better than ever.

Director: Peter Brown/Jake Tkaczyk
Cast: Caley Suliak, Cody Porter, Ellie Heath, Jason Hardwick, Joel Taras, Kelly Turner, Kirsten Throndson, Michael Watt, Lindsey Walker, Randy Brososky, Shannon Blanchet, Stephanie Wolfe, Tom Edwards, & special guests! Music by Paul Morgan Donald

Website/Socials: @dienastyimprov

FLORA AND FAUNA

FACE THEIR FEARS

Flora & Fawna are back in a brand new backyard slumber party presentation! From the award-winning team that brought you Flora & Fawna's Field Trip, Flora & Fawna Have Beaver Fever, Microwave Coven, Crack In The Mirror, Puck Bunnies, Dragula, Prepare for the Worst, Don't Frown at the Gown, Psychobabble and Klondykes!

Playwright: Darrin Hagen & Trevor Schmidt
Director: Trevor Schmidt
Cast: Jason Hardwick, Trevor Schmidt, Jake Tkaczyk
Designers: Trevor Schmidt, Darrin Hagen
Stage Manager: Darrin Hagen

Website/Socials: guysindisguise.ca

GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD:

PLAY-GIARISM

Improv comedy titans Jacob Banigan and Mark Meer reunite for the Edmonton Fringe to pull off their annual feat of theatrical grand larceny... Watch in awe as they improvise their own version of ANY OTHER SHOW AT THE FESTIVAL!

★★★★★ National Post

★★★★★ Edmonton Journal

★★★★★ Edmonton Sun

Cast: Jacob Banigan, Mark Meer
Designers: Gordon
Stage Manager: Gordon's Mom

Website/Socials: rapidfiretheatre.com

Rat Academy 2

Gnaw and Order

The last two rats in Alberta are back, and this time, they’re serving justice. When Fingers and Shrimp are evicted from their Whyte Avenue alley, they’re forced to search for a new three-walled haven. Will they love it? List it? Meet their maker in the jaws of the law? You’ll have to come to the show to find out.

Playwright: Dayna Lea Hoffmann and Katie Yoner
Director: Joseph McManus
Cast: Katie Yoner, Dayna Lea Hoffmann
Designers: Claire Sonmor (Set/Props Design), Whittyn Jason (Lighting Design), Meegan Sweet (Costume Design), Liv McRobbie (Sound Design)
Stage Manager: Abby McDougall

Website/Socials: @the_rat_academy

BUMP AND GRINDHOUSE

BURLESQUE

House of Hush is back with a show that goes bump in the night. From scream queens to marvellous monsters to real life scares - this thrilling burlesque show celebrating horror is sure to give you chills. Join the award winning Belinda Cornish and some of Edmonton's best burlesque dancers, but beware... it may haunt your dreams.

Playwright: Belinda Cornish
Director: Violette Coquette and Delia Barnett
Cast: Belinda Cornish, Violete Coquette, LeTabby Lexington, Jezebel Sinclair, Sharpay Diem, Fanny LuPhone, Vivian Vanguard
Designers: Elise Troung of Sweet Carousel and Ensemble, Puppet by Kiki Quinn.
Stage Manager: Vivian Vanguard

LOUSY PARENTS

In this brand-new comedy by Trevor Schmidt, Carly from Sunshine Daycare Home has the unenviable task of informing her charges’ parents of a lice outbreak in the daycare. Tensions rise, blame is placed, and comedy ensues. Join the festival’s favourite lawyer-actors for their 10th year! All proceeds benefit the Varscona Theatre.

Playwright: Trevor Schmidt
Director: Trevor Schmidt
Cast: Mark Facundo, Jillian Gamez, Kristin Peters, Ed Picard, Sarah Rossman, Jeremy Schick, and Marissa Tordoff
Stage Manager: Victoria Jones

Victor & Victoria's

Terrifying Tale of

Terrible Things


Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things is a hilarious and horrifying exploration about whether or not to confront your fears. Victor and Victoria are fraternal twins who discover a mysterious book and become immersed in a frightening tale about a sinister family secret that will change their lives forever.

Playwright: Beth Graham & Nathan Cuckow
Director: Jim Guedo
Cast: Rain Matkin, Eli Yaschuk
Designers: Jim Guedo
Stage Manager: Ryan MacAuley

Website/Socials: @thoughttraintheatre

 FAQs

Click the arrows below to read the answers to some of our most common Fringe questions. Need more info? Shoot us an email: frontofhouse@varsconatheatre.com

  • All Fringe Festival ticketing is handled through the Fringe Theatre Box Office. Head to tickets.fringetheatre.ca to purchase online. You can also call the box office at 780-409-1910, visit the main Fringe Box Office (10330 84 Avenue), or visit one of the satellite box offices located on the festival site.

    Please note: the Varscona Theatre does not operate a box office during the Fringe Festival.

  • Absolutely. The Varscona Theatre is equipped with three wheelchair seats. We are also happy to reserve spots in the first few rows for patrons with disabilities. If you use a walker, a cane, a wheelchair, or you just need a little extra help, we’ve got you covered.

    If you need reserved accessible seating, please contact the Fringe Box Office at boxoffice@fringetheatre.ca or call 780-409-1910. They will get in touch with our team to make all the arrangements.

  • We sure do! Our concession opens 15 minutes before each show. We’ll be fully stocked with beer, wine, and variety of non-alcoholic options. Don’t forget to grab a pack of Twizzlers—it’s an Edmonton theatre tradition.

  • No, but we love that you’re sticking around for multiple shows! We ask that patrons please exit the venue and get into the lineup for the next show.

  • We want to caution parents that not all of our programming may be suitable for children. This year most of our shows carry a 14A content rating. The Edmonton Fringe has helpful notes about each show in their program guide and on their box office website—tickets.fringetheatre.ca.

    Please note: Bump and Grindhouse Burlesque, presented by House of Hush, is strictly for 18+ audiences only. No minors will be allowed into the performance.

  • We do! Please email our front-of-house manager, Garett Ross, at frontofhouse@varsconatheatre.com for help locating your item.

  • Our bathrooms are for Varscona patrons only. If you’re in the building to watch a show, you are most welcome to use our facilities.

  • During the Fringe Festival, latecomers are not permitted.