After nearly two decades of spotlighting local theater, the Capital Fringe Festival went dark, just when the arts needed it most. District Fringe is picking up where Capital Fringe left off.

“There’s a vibrant community of artists. They deserve a place where they can afford to do it. They deserve a chance to get on stage,” said Karen Lange (artistic director, Pinky Swear Productions), one of District Fringe’s leaders.

Not unlike Capital Fringe, District Fringe will work to unite the DC theater collective but with a stronger emphasis on community and collaboration. Led by three artistic directors and longtime Capital Fringe supporters, Tracey Erbacher (artistic director, Theater Prometheus), Aubri O’Connor (artistic director, Nu Sass Productions), and Lange, District Fringe is on a mission to “promote and propel the strong independent theater tradition in the DC area.”

When the news broke in December that Capital Fringe would not be returning, the now leaders went to work to begin production of District Fringe — recruiting applications, fundraising, and searching for spaces to hold the festival, which will take place in July.

District Fringe is coming at a time when the Trump administration is targeting performing arts and diversity initiatives, particularly in once-vibrant cultural spaces like The Kennedy Center.

“Part of what fuels me is they wouldn’t be bothering with the arts if the arts weren’t important,” Erbacher said. “This is an opportunity to expand outward and support those voices.”

Because of the original festival’s finances and space availability, Capital Fringe accepted applications from artists on a first-come, first-served basis. Being in its first year, District Fringe will limit the number of shows to about 10 to 20, depending on space, following an application process. After receiving over 40 applications, the festival’s leaders and team of readers ultimately made decisions based on what excites them most and reflects DC’s diverse artistic collective.

While the team is still working to secure a venue or venues to host the festival, no matter where they choose, there will be a community space for festival goers and artists to gather. Lange recalled having a similar space during the early years of Capital Fringe.

“Most of us met each other there. We actually got to hang out and have a drink and party late into the night, dancing together. That was really special and one of the things we really want to bring back,” Lange said.

District Fringe will be an opportunity to celebrate not only the artists but also the volunteers and donors who have helped with the festival’s production.

“I’ve been running a company for 11 years and I’ve never had this level of community support where people are coming out of the woodwork to be like, ‘Hi, I care about this, this is important, how can we help?’ Which is really moving,” Lange said.

The District Fringe team is looking for volunteers with experiences doing artistic producing, media and press outreach, technical support, and on-the-ground support when the festival begins. And, donations big and small.

“Donations have such a direct impact. A little bit of money goes so far given how low our fundraising goal is compared to other big theater efforts, and that’s going straight to making art possible for more artists,” said Erbacher.

With one of the main goals of the festival being to make local art as accessible as possible, the team has set admission at $15 per show (including fees), with additional options like discounted ticket bundles, buy-one-get-one offers, and an all-access festival pass.

“Everybody’s art makes everyone else’s stronger because you might not hear about one individual company making one small show, but you hear about Fringe and everyone’s working together,” Erbacher said. “It’s about the power of the community there banding together and making a festival.”

For those looking to get involved and volunteer with District Fringe, reach out to info@districtfringe.com for more information.

SEE ALSO:
DC theater artists announce new fringe festival (news story, March 26, 2025)
Capital Fringe Festival ends after 20 years (news story, January 28, 2025)

The post District Fringe to pick up where Capital Fringe Festival left off appeared first on DC Theater Arts.

The Omnium Circus made its debut in 2021, but for founder and executive director Lisa B. Lewis, the journey began more than three decades earlier.

While performing as a clown, Lewis noticed an entire section of the arena sitting with their arms crossed and seemed angry. Despite being at the circus, they struggled to understand the acts going on around them. Lewis’ clown partner started telling jokes in sign language, and the group erupted in laughter.

“It was the power of inclusion,” she said.

In 1986 Lewis moved to New York and began working in a hospital performing a “Circus of the Senses” adapted show for children and their families. It was such a hit that parents wanted to know why they could come only once. So, Lewis created weekend and evening shows for families to experience and enjoy together. When the pandemic hit, Lewis began to push the idea further, asking how she and others could create this type of access all the time.

Omnium, a diverse, accessible, and inclusive circus, was born. The goal of the circus is to create an experience reflective and welcoming of all people. To mirror the one in four Americans with a disability, over 25 percent of the nonprofit’s performing company and 40 percent of its total team are members of the disabled community.

“The idea was to create representation so people can see themselves reflected on stage and know they are capable with hard work to be their best selves,” Lewis said.

When she presented her initial idea to current team members in 2020, Lewis worried it might have been too crazy. But no one talked her out of it. Instead, they joined her, and immediately got to work on building the show. The team behind Omnium Circus is made up of not only others like Lewis who have spent their entire careers in the industry, but newcomers as well, including members of the disabled community who never previously had the opportunity to join a circus.

For Ermiyas Muluken, a seasoned performer with over half his life dedicated to the circus industry, joining Omnium with his ladder-balancing act was more than just a new experience — it was a powerful extension of his mission to inspire through his craft.

“Circus is not just going and doing your thing and getting money,” he said. “It’s also to inspire people. It’s a message and you don’t have to speak it.”

An Ethiopian native, Muluken has since relocated to DC, where Omnium Circus will kick off its 2025 nationwide tour on February 22 at DC’s Warner Theatre.

In addition to Muluken’s ladder act, the audience will get to see the world’s fastest juggler, a chair-stacking act, and a hair-hanging act, to name a few.

During the show, Omnium offers different accessibility options including audio description for blind audience members, ASL integrated into the performance, a calming area in the lobby, ADA seating, and more. Lewis listens to members of the disability community and constantly asks how Omnium can make the experience better.

“Accessibility is not as hard as you think,” she said. “You have to pay attention and figure it out.”

Omnium Circus is an experience for the whole family to enjoy, a show for “human beings,” as Lewis explained. The 90-minute performance is an opportunity to connect and bond with others no matter the differences. During one show, for instance, a young girl sat next to another child who happened to be deaf. The two figured out how to communicate with one another and ended the show as friends.

Omnium is more than just a circus; it’s an opportunity to bring people together.

“So much is dividing us; we have to find more of what unites us,” Lewis said.

Omnium Circus – I’m Possible plays on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2 pm, presented by Omnium Circus, performing at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th NW, Washington, DC. Tickets ($55–$115) are available online.

Running Time: 90 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission.

All Omnium Circus Performances Include:
Audio Description
Tactile Experiences
Integrated ASL
Assisted Listening Devices
Closed Captions
Relaxed Performances – All forms of self-expression are welcome!
Calming Area in Lobby
ADA Seating
Group Rates Available

For venue specific information, feel free to reach out to info@omniumcircus.org.

See also the Warner Theatre’s accommodations for guests with disabilities in the FAQ section here.

SEE ALSO:
Our amazing afternoon at the multi-abled Omnium Circus (review by John Stoltenberg and Sophia Howes, March 17, 2022)
Diverse, multi-abled Omnium Circus to play one special matinee
(news story, February 14, 2022)

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