Be Part of the Fringe
Fringe Festival
Saturday, February 28 - Sunday, March 1, 2026
Our weekend-long Fringe Festival is a celebration of creative energy from around the globe. Inspired by the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival—the world’s largest arts festival, our festival features six one-of-a-kind performances, including improv, magic, theater and comedy. Join us for one performance or delight in the entire weekend.
New this year—on Saturday only—additional FREE, interactive performances and immersive experiences will fill Overture Center with awe-inspiring sights and sounds. Fill up on traditional festival fare—hot dogs, fried chicken cones, ice cream and more—from our food stands in Overture Hall and Rotunda lobbies. Stands open at 11am. Plus, enjoy local artists throughout the building, including Wild Rumpus Circus, Polka! Press, Art Mart and doodle artist Ronnie Walter along with a drag show featuring Bianca Lynn Breeze—something for everyone. Come early with the family, stay late with the adults. Free for all!
On Sunday, enjoy additional free local talent from The Hitterz Collective and Arclight. Papa-Kobina Brewoo & The Hitterz Collective delivers a dynamic hip-hop dance performance, followed by an interactive workshop. To round out the weekend's free performances, Arclight ignites Promenade Hall with dazzling fire and light displays.
Saturday Lobby Schedule
Food Stands
11am-10:30pm, Overture Hall Main Lobby
11am-9pm, Rotunda Studio
Art Mart
1-8pm, Promenade Terrace
Polka! Press (Printmaking activity)
1-8pm, Overture Hall Main Lobby
Sketch Cute! With Ronnie Walter
1-8pm, Overture Hall Main Lobby
Wild Rumpus Circus
2-3pm & 4-5pm, Overture Hall Main Lobby
Drag Show with Bianca Lynn Breeze
9:15-10:30pm, Overture Hall Main Lobby
Sunday Local Arts Schedule
Papa-Kobina Brewoo & The Hitterz Collective Performance
2-3pm, Promenade Hall
The Hitterz Collective Workshop
3-4pm, Promenade Hall
Arclight Performance
4-5pm, Promenade Hall
Fringe Events Lineup
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Saturday, February 28 | Multiple Showtimes
Mark Hayward
Mark Hayward's performance is a delightful mix of comedy and object manipulation. Using props like yo-yos, tops, juggling equipment and even a mousetrap, he creates a fun and witty show that everyone can enjoy.
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Saturday, February 28 | 11:00 AM
Fringe Festival: Day 1
All day Saturday, the Fringe spills beyond the stage as Overture transforms into a creative playground. Between performances, enjoy free pop-up acts, immersive experiences, a local art market and food carts serving festival fare to fuel your Fringe hopping—free for all!
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February 28 - March 8
"Earthlings: Revisited" By Jeanne C. Wilkinson
Free exhibition in Rotunda Studio! Step into artist Jeanne Wilkinson’s “Cloud Tunnel” and immerse yourself in a mesmerizing interplay of shifting images and color.
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Saturday, February 28 | 2:00 PM
Chris Grace: Sardines (a comedy about death)
After performing his smash-hit show “Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson” last year to an adoring and 100% satisfied audience, Chris Grace is back for Overture Center's second annual Fringe Festival! This time, the actor and comedian is moving from solving racism to solving... death?
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Saturday, February 28 | 3:00 PM
Dinosaur World Live
Dare to enter a prehistoric realm where lifelike dinosaurs roar before your eyes. From the mighty T. Rex to the towering Giraffatitan, meet incredible creatures up close in an interactive family show. Don’t miss this thrilling Jurassic adventure live on stage!
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February 28 - March 1
Baby Wants Candy
They’re back! Prepare for an unforgettable night of spontaneous hilarity as Baby Wants Candy brings you a fully improvised musical—made up on the spot from a single audience suggestion.
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Saturday, February 28 | Multiple Showtimes
Caitlin Cook - The Writing on the Stall
Caitlin Cook's hit bathroom graffiti musical transforms stall scribbles into the lyrics of her original songs and trail markers along her journey in this confessional, immersive and uproarious one-of-a-kind show.
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Saturday, February 28 | 7:00 PM
The Naked Magicians
Brace yourself for a magic show like no other! Direct from Las Vegas and London’s West End, Australia’s “The Naked Magicians” deliver world-class illusions and nonstop laughs—while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile. 18+ only.
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February 28 - March 1
Shamilton
Join members of famed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy as they create an epic musical on the spot based on a historical celebrity of your choosing—from Genghis Khan to Kim Kardashian.
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Sunday, March 1 | 2:00 PM
Fringe Festival: Day 2
Sunday only, enjoy additional free local talent acts The Hitterz Collective and Arclight before ticketed performances of “Baby Wants Candy” and “Shamilton.”
Saturday's Lobby Entertainment
1 - 8pm
Art Mart
Pop into the Art Mart, located on Promenade Terrace, featuring seven artists and makers handpicked for their playful and creative Fringe spirit. Discover handmade treasures, from jewelry, mixed media art and fiber works to ceramics and more—all made by local artists.
1 - 8pm
Polka! Press
In a collective printmaking activity, participants will combine multiple carved blocks—composed of head, torso and legs—to create uniquely exquisite corpses. Each block is designed and hand-carved by Polka! Press members. Assemble a corpse and print your own for free!
Polka! Press
Polka! Press is a collective of artists and designers working alongside one another to produce a diverse mixture of original printed artworks in a shared makerspace. They promote a vibrant local printmaking culture by offering access to printmaking facilities and providing educational opportunities to the Madison community.
1 - 8pm
Sketch Cute with Ronnie Walter
Who doesn’t want to be “seen” in this complicated world? Stop by Sketch Cute™ LIVE to have your portrait drawn by illustrator Ronnie Walter. In just a few minutes, Ronnie will capture your cute charm in a whimsical line art portrait.
Ronnie Walter
Ronnie Walter is an illustrator, teacher and creator of the Sketch Cute™ method of elevating doodles into fun and whimsical drawings. A life-long illustrator, Ronnie brings to life happy and uplifting images with a few strokes of her pen and a splash of watercolor. She teaches in-person classes in the Madison area and on her popular YouTube channel. She has licensed her designs on hundreds of products and created over 30 coloring books.
2 - 3pm & 4 - 5pm
Wild Rumpus Circus
Wild Rumpus Circus brings its whimsical brand of strolling entertainment—including some unusually tall and uniquely masked characters—to the festival. Formed in 2002, they’ve performed on four continents and offer camps and classes for youth and adults in Madison and Mazomanie.
9:15 - 10:30pm
Drag Show with Bianca Lynn Breeze
A free, high-energy drag showcase bursting with dazzling looks and big personalities. Drop in and cheer loudly to celebrate self-expression as local drag performers light up the festival with style and sparkle. Feel free to tip the queens to support their artistry. (May not be appropriate for young audiences due to content, length or atmosphere.)
Bianca Lynn Breeze
Beloved Madison drag entertainer and producer Bianca Lynn Breeze has spread joy across the Midwest since 2012. A former Miss Gay Wisconsin USofA 2023, Miss Club Wisconsin 2017 and Miss Gay Madison 2017, Bianca blends entertainment with purpose—using her platform to support local nonprofits, celebrate community and create unforgettable experiences on and off the stage through performance and, of course, Bingo!
Sunday's Local Arts Performances
Arclight
From college fire shows to Madison's own Madison Circus Space, Eli and Ben love teaching, performing and experimenting with new ways to move with fire and lights.
The Hitterz Collective
The Hitterz Collective is more than a dance crew—it's a movement. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, this multidisciplinary arts organization is committed to cultivating a positive, inclusive and culturally mindful space where artists can learn, teach, network and express themselves freely. Founded by Papa-Kobina Brewoo, The Hitterz Collective offers dance education across street styles like krump, hip-hop and freestyle, community events and festivals that promote healing and unity, resources for artistic development in music, performance and visual arts and a platform for emerging and seasoned creatives to collaborate and grow.
Whether hosting battles like Da Shindig, performing at festivals or mentoring youth, The Hitterz Collective is a driving force in the Midwest’s urban arts scene—bridging generations, cultures and communities through rhythm and resilience.
Papa-Kobina Brewoo
Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Papa-Kobina Brewoo—known in the dance world as Kidd Blaze or Deadspace—is a powerhouse of movement, mentorship and cultural storytelling. After relocating to Madison, Wisconsin in 2001, PKB discovered his passion for hip-hop in eighth grade, inspired by shows such as “America’s Best Dance Crew.” What began as YouTube tutorials quickly evolved into a dynamic career spanning choreography, performance and education.
Brewoo has appeared on MTV’s “Made,” “America’s Got Talent” and “World of Dance,” and signed with the DanceOn Network. His accolades include numerous competition wins and features in national magazines. Beyond the spotlight, PKB is a dedicated educator and community builder. His teaching philosophy centers on healing, connection and creative expression through movement.
As founder and CEO of The Hitterz Collective, PKB has created a vibrant platform that nurtures dancers of all levels, celebrates cultural history and pushes the boundaries of street dance artistry.
Save up to 20% on tickets!
Make Your Own Subscription
Individual Fringe Festival shows can be packaged with other non-Broadway Overture Presents titles to create a Make Your Own Subscription.
Three or four titles: 15% discount
Five or more titles: 20% discount
Please note: Some shows do not have discounts but do count towards number requirements.
Contact us!
Questions? Call Monday-Friday 11am to 5pm. For security reasons, we cannot take credit card numbers via email.