Why you love the Fringe.
September 10th at 7:30pm
Some of our favorite local improvisers and comedians duel it out digitally. Their weapons are their cellphones, and their arenas are the Jackbox Party games. But the fun isn’t only for our competitors: the audience can sway the vote and help determine who is the champion. This show is free at the Focus Theater. Please join us for lots of fun and excitement!
September 11th at 6:00pm
Rochester's newest long-form improv troupe will create a once-in-a-lifetime, one time only, three-act play for your entertainment. A couple of suggestions from the audience is all we need to transport you away and make you feel all Fringe-y inside. Featuring Scott Adams, Joseph Barcia, Ross Johnson, Jeremy Sarachan, Tracey Ulterino, and Gretchen Woodworth.
September 11th at 7:30pm
It’s “Ham Radio Presents: The Improvised Rockumentary!” Join the improvisational musical comedy troupe Ham Radio for a night of made-up melodies and spontaneous silliness. Before your eyes, the group will create the scenes and songs to tell the story of a fictional band—named by you, the audience!—and its meteoric rise into the musical firmament. It’s 55 minutes of fun.
Back by popular demand! It’s here! It’s queer! Jaye McBride (Netflix, Inside Amy Schumer) headlines an all-trans and nonbinary standup comedy lineup! Starring Roc’s best drag performer Kyla Minx, Roc’s 3rd funniest Gabby Garcia, and Brooklyn’s Kendall Allison. Plus The Onion's Max Gross (Thursday only) and Penny Sterling (Wednesday only). Hosted by the hilarious Tootsie. You’ll laugh so hard, rainbows might shoot out of your *ss! Cis/het folks welcome, but attendance may cause homo FOMO.
September 12th at 6:00pm
The tournament du Fringe 2024: three teams enter, one team leaves. Who survives? You tell us! The Focus Theater presents Rochester Fringe’s Battle Royale improv contest. The winner from each semifinal show will advance to the tournament of champions, where fame, fortunate, and the praise of adoring fans awaits. Come out and cheer for competitive mirth!
September 12th at 7:30pm
Hollywood Fringe 2024 Award Winner - In Gameshow! Gameshow! Gameshow! A
chaotic host pits one side of the audience against the other in a bizarre
and riveting showdown! Get on your feet and compete in over 40 games, from
trivia and physical challenges to a custom built video game made just for
this show. — there’s something for everyone. It’s an electrifying hour of
unity, rivalry, and uproarious fun! “One of the best shows I’ve ever seen!”
– A real audience member!
September 12th at 9:00pm
Back by popular demand! It’s here! It’s queer! Jaye McBride (Netflix, Inside Amy Schumer) headlines an all-trans and nonbinary standup comedy lineup! Starring Roc’s best drag performer Kyla Minx, Roc’s 3rd funniest Gabby Garcia, and Brooklyn’s Kendall Allison. Plus The Onion's Max Gross (Thursday only) and Penny Sterling (Wednesday only). Hosted by the hilarious Tootsie. You’ll laugh so hard, rainbows might shoot out of your *ss! Cis/het folks welcome, but attendance may cause homo FOMO.
September 13th at 6:00pm
Improv Comedy Group: senior citizens version! Left For Dead is a Rochester improv comedy team that has walked this planet for many decades. They express the meaning of their exceedingly long lives through comedy–improv, sketch, and standup. This group made it through the pandemic so catch them while you still can at the 2024 Rochester Fringe Festival.
September 13th at 7:30pm
Dungeons & Dragons meets improv where a live dungeon master and three improvisers have the audience choose their powers, classes, and quests! Your ideas magically appear live, on stage, and acted out for your amazement. With colorful non-person characters and live skill checks this interactive show is sure to excite nerds of all backgrounds. No D&D experience needed to enjoy this show. Cosplay encouraged!
September 13th at 9:00pm
It’s “Ham Radio Presents: The Improvised Rockumentary!” Join the improvisational musical comedy troupe Ham Radio for a night of made-up melodies and spontaneous silliness. Before your eyes, the group will create the scenes and songs to tell the story of a fictional band—named by you, the audience!—and its meteoric rise into the musical firmament. It’s 55 minutes of fun.
September 14th at 4:00pm
Hollywood Fringe 2024 Award Winner - In Gameshow! Gameshow! Gameshow! A
chaotic host pits one side of the audience against the other in a bizarre
and riveting showdown! Get on your feet and compete in over 40 games, from
trivia and physical challenges to a custom built video game made just for
this show. — there’s something for everyone. It’s an electrifying hour of
unity, rivalry, and uproarious fun! “One of the best shows I’ve ever seen!”
– A real audience member!
September 14th at 6:00pm
The award-winning comedy troupe that you can’t get enough of is back by popular demand from its sold-out Rochester Fringe debut last year. These comedy queens combine just the right amount of spice, irreverence, and hysteria to bring down the house. They’ll capture your heart with their unique takes on life, love, and the pursuit of all things absurd. Long-form, short-form, and form-fitting, these ladies will have you busting a gut.
September 14th at 7:30pm
Satire and wit abound at Thank You Kiss sketch-comedy shows. Critics have lauded the group as laugh-out-loud funny with “‘hell yes’ social commentary.” TYK blends satire, sincerity, and silliness through sketch, improvisation, and video. Members Marc D’Amico, Megan Mack, John Forrest Thompson, and Beth Winslow have studied and worked at renowned comedy theaters including iO, The Second City, and the Annoyance. TYK is a winner of The Missouri Review’s prestigious Miller Audio Prize for Humor.
September 14th at 9:00pm
The tournament du Fringe 2024: three teams enter, one team leaves. Who survives? You tell us! The Focus Theater presents Rochester Fringe’s Battle Royale improv contest. The winner from each semifinal show will advance to the tournament of champions, where fame, fortunate, and the praise of adoring fans awaits. Come out and cheer for competitive mirth!
September 15th at 2:00pm
ComedySportz combines the quick wit of improvised comedy with the tension of your favorite sporting event, hence the name! Two teams of professional improvisers compete in scenes, songs, and games made up on the spot. The loyal fans (that's you) provide suggestions and inspiration, award points, and ultimately determine the winner. Every show has different games, players, and concepts. Presided over by a referee, Comedysportz is unlike any comedy show you've seen!
September 15th at 4:00pm
Dungeons & Dragons meets improv where a live dungeon master and three improvisers have the audience choose their powers, classes, and quests! Your ideas magically appear live, on stage, and acted out for your amazement. With colorful non-person characters and live skill checks this interactive show is sure to excite nerds of all backgrounds. No D&D experience needed to enjoy this show. Cosplay encouraged!
September 15th at 6:00pm
ComedySportz combines the quick wit of improvised comedy with the tension of your favorite sporting event, hence the name! Two teams of professional improvisers compete in scenes, songs, and games made up on the spot. The loyal fans (that's you) provide suggestions and inspiration, award points, and ultimately determine the winner. Every show has different games, players, and concepts. Presided over by a referee, Comedysportz is unlike any comedy show you've seen!
September 17th at 7:30pm
Some of our favorite local improvisers and comedians duel it out digitally. Their weapons are their cellphones, and their arenas are the Jackbox Party games. But the fun isn’t only for our competitors: the audience can sway the vote and help determine who is the champion. This show is free at the Focus Theater. Please join us for lots of fun and excitement!
September 18th at 6:00pm
The award-winning comedy troupe that you can’t get enough of is back by popular demand from its sold-out Rochester Fringe debut last year. These comedy queens combine just the right amount of spice, irreverence, and hysteria to bring down the house. They’ll capture your heart with their unique takes on life, love, and the pursuit of all things absurd. Long-form, short-form, and form-fitting, these ladies will have you busting a gut.
September 18th at 7:30pm
Improv Comedy Group: senior citizens version! Left For Dead is a Rochester improv comedy team that has walked this planet for many decades. They express the meaning of their exceedingly long lives through comedy–improv, sketch, and standup. This group made it through the pandemic so catch them while you still can at the 2024 Rochester Fringe Festival.
