Orlando Fringe (Website) has officially taken over the space formerly occupied by Mad Cow Theatre (Website) at 54 W. Church Street [GMap] and they’ve given it a new name for its fresh start.

According to a recent press release, the new Fringe ArtSpace (Website) will be focused on “…building a dynamic, inspiring community of artists and arts lovers with the purpose of providing artists a safe environment to create, experiment, collaborate, and showcase their creations.”

The new space will focus on programming that includes full theatrical runs “with a commitment to a transparent application process,” (no shade), an accelerator program to mentor emerging local arts groups, host touring shows, educational programming, host rehearsal and performance space for third-party groups, and activating the adjacent public plaza on Church Street.

“We’ve built the programming for this space by listening to the needs of the community,” says Executive Director of Orlando Fringe Alauna Friskics.  “After we conducted a series of listening sessions this past July and August, we took those suggestions and have created what we hope will be a unique theatrical experience for artists and audiences.  We will open in January, get a feel for the space and continue to shift and mold how we fit into the building.  There are thousands of ideas on the table, so we have lots of things to try.  I am so thankful to the City of Orlando and the Downtown Development Board for entrusting us to lead this exciting adventure.”

A grand opening party for the new theater is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, just in time for the annual Winter Mini-Fest, which will take place January 12-15.

Meanwhile, Mad Cow remains silent on its unceremonious boot from the City-sponsored theater space.

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

Leave a comment

Have something to say? Type it below. Holding back can give you pimples.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.