The KC Fringe Festival, the largest celebration of arts and culture in the Kansas City area, has returned for its 21st season now through July 27. The annual summer-time event showcases an array of shows, films, and visual arts exhibitions with several area Black artists in the lineup.
All KC Fringe live performances clock in at 60 minutes and range from family-friendly shows to those intended for mature audiences. Festival goers are liable to see everything from circus, theater, and improv to musicals, storytelling, and comedy.
KC Fringe Festival comes from the spirit of the overwhelmingly popular Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, where artists line the streets with uncurated and often unusual but highly entertaining shows. KC festival participants describe the local festival as essential for emerging and experimental artists.
“I describe Fringe as Coachella for the local arts,” said playwright and director Terrace Wyatt Jr., who returns this year with a new production. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know new faces in the business and see their craft.”
KC Fringe offers artists an experimental platform without financial barriers, such as finding and paying for a venue.
“The best thing about Fringe is that part [logistics and financial] has been covered,” says Wyatt. “They just want you to focus on putting your work out there.”
The mostly volunteer-run organization has been supporting artists, cultivating creators and attracting adventurous audiences since 2005. KC Fringe also actively seeks diversity through the festival’s Amplified Voices Program, which supports BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and differently abled artists through scholarships and targeted marketing.
Notable Black-Centered Productions in this year’s festival (links for show times & venue) :include:
- “Terrace Wyatt Jr’s Mel’N E”: This comedy-drama explores the word “melanin” and its impact on identity at predominantly White universities. A Black student must present a last-minute senior capstone, taking the audience on a rollercoaster exploration of race, community, and humanity. Wyatt has cast three different actors to perform the same role on different dates: Gideon Madison, Maya Zai, and Marcus Ray. Five showings July 19, 22, 25, and 26 at Music Theater Heritage in Crown Center.
- “It’s Not Over Till the Legends Sing Pt 2: Back to Love” by Brother John Anderson: The sequel to last year’s Best of Venue winner continues Anderson’s musical journey channeling legendary voices like Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, and Frank Sinatra through personal storytelling and powerful vocal performances. Five showings July 19, 20, 24, 25, and 26 at Kansas City Oasis, at 1717 W 41st St. in KCMO.
- “Jazz: The Women Who Shaped Me” by Eboni Fondren: One of KC’s premier jazz vocalists presents a tribute to the female pioneers who shaped jazz music. Fondren explores the rich history of women in jazz through performance and storytelling. Five showings July 18, 19, 20, 23, and 25 at Music Theater Heritage in Crown Center.
- “JD Rowland: My Life at 40”: A personal reflection on reaching middle age that blends humor with introspection about life’s unexpected turns and the realities of adult milestones. Five showings July 18, 19, 20, 25, and 26 at Black Box located at 1060 Union Ave, KCMO.
- “Process: Inevitable“: A young dancer named Iam’s performance is interrupted by a chaotic figure named Ego, who sends him embarking on a journey to the 5th dimension. Upon arriving he is challenged to a series of trials by three Vices in a metaphysical quest to process his grief. Five showings July 19, 20, 22, 24, and 26 at Unicorn Theatre located at 3828 Main St, KCMO.
- “The Strong Black Girl is a Myth 3.0“: A theatrical play based on Cia Michelle’s debut book of the same name, Michelle’s third “TSBG” Fringe entry is set in an afro-futuristic timeline. The musical sees that strong Black girls have been able to thrive abundantly due to streamlining the process of overcoming racial and epigenetic trauma. But due to a bizarre ancestral invention, moral and genetically modified trouble is afoot! Five showings July 18, 20, 23, 25, and 26 at the Center for Spiritual Living, at 1014 W. 39th St., KCMO.
Even More Fringe: Visual Arts, Film & Workshops
Visual art exhibitions run now through July 26 at two locations. The main gallery at Union Station’s Grand Hall features 43 artists. The adults-only “Fringe Benefits Gallery” at Gael’s Public House (5424 Troost) showcases mature-themed works.
Black artists featured include
Films screen (https://kcfringe.org/film) July 18-20 at Stray Cat Film Center, featuring everything from local independent works to comedy showcases. Notable offerings include “Look at the Darkness (Don’t Stare)” (https://bit.ly/4lJoNFR) by Maya Tillman-Rayton, which explores resilience through hip-hop and street dance.
Educational workshops (https://kcfringe.org/workshops) include a storytelling workshop with internationally acclaimed comedian Jon Bennett and a teen playwriting workshop at The Coterie for students entering 8th-12th grade.
Getting Your Fringe On
Live shows run July 17-27, with all performances lasting one hour. Individual tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. Multi-show passes offer savings: five shows for $65 or ten shows for $120. Shows are rated like movies: AA (All Ages), PG (Parental Guidance), or MA (Mature Audiences).
All attendees must also purchase a $5 Fringe Button (free for children 12 and under) to enter any Fringe event. Buttons are available at every venue during the festival and at Fringe 411 headquarters located at The Bird Comedy Theater (103 W. 19th St.).
More details and tickets are available at kcfringe.org. Festival info is also available by phone at 816-819-0639.
