Beloved grassroots festival set for June 2026 under new leadership, promising open, un-juried performance opportunities for artists and the community.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After a long pause, Fort Collins is pressing play. The Fort Collins Fringe Festival, a bold celebration of original performance art that captivated the community from 2013-2019, will return in June 2026 under the passionate leadership of new co-directors Analia Weber and Charles Howes.
The revival comes at a time when art and creative expression are more vital than ever. “We need art and creatives more than ever in challenging times,” said Weber. “The Fringe creates space for artists with bold creativity—professionals and amateurs alike—to share their art, inviting our community to experience the raw, the beautiful, and the unexpected.”
The multi-day festival will feature 50+ performances across multiple downtown venues, showcasing theater, dance, film, comedy, and more. True to Fringe tradition, the festival remains unjuried, uncensored, and accessible, with artists keeping the majority of their ticket revenue. Kid- and family-friendly performances will also be highlighted, ensuring there’s something for every age to enjoy.
The festival draws its roots from the world’s first Fringe festival, which began in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947 when eight theater groups performed uninvited alongside the official Edinburgh International Festival. This spirit of artistic rebellion and accessibility has since spread globally, with Fringe festivals now operating on every continent. The essence of Fringe lies in four core principles: unjuried selection (no gatekeepers deciding what’s “good enough”), uncensored content (artists have complete creative freedom), accessible pricing, and direct financial benefit to artists.
The return of FoCo Fringe is made possible through the vital partnership and fiscal sponsorship from Museum of Art Fort Collins, providing crucial organizational support and fostering deeper community connection. Executive Director, Lisa Hatchadoorian says “Partnering with the Fringe Festival was an easy and enthusiastic ‘yes’ for the Museum of Art Fort Collins. The Fringe embodies our dedication to providing accessible, meaningful art experiences that ignite dialogue and enrich our community. We’re proud to support its return and can’t wait to see the amazing performances it will bring!”
The original Fort Collins Fringe Festival ran for seven successful years, with the 2019 edition featuring over 220 participating artists, 3,000+ tickets sold, and $15,624 in direct payouts to performers across 90+ performances.
Heather Osteberg Johnson, a founding co-producer shares: “The return of the Fringe is a dream come true, and I have full confidence in Analia and Charles to carry the torch. They bring fresh energy and a deep understanding of what makes the Fringe so special. Get ready, Fort Collins – 2026 is going to be amazing!”
Weber and Howes express deep gratitude to original founders Heather Ostberg Johnson, Dulcie Willis, and Jessica MacMaster. “We are proud to carry it forward with love, respect, and a little bit of glitter,” they said.
Weber and Howes met and got to know each other in dance class and through rehearsals, including a site-specific performance at 1883 Water Works in Fort Collins by Cipher Creative Productions (Natalie Scarlett) and Impact Dance Company (Judy Bejerano), both groups who frequently produced work for the Fringe. Weber and Howes are both community builders and creatives, and bring experience in dance, theater, and nonprofit work. Their vision centers on equity and creating a platform for new and diverse voices to share their performance art.
FoCo Fringe is slated to take place in June 2026 with the application and timeline to be announced later this fall; artists and community members are encouraged to sign up for email updates at focofringe.org to be notified first.
About Fort Collins Fringe Festival
FoCo Fringe is a grassroots celebration creating a platform for artists to be bold, raw, and original with minimal overhead. The Fringe invites community members to discover, delight, and connect with diverse performance art in an accessible, uncensored environment.
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Media Contact:
Analia Weber, Co-Director
moc.liamg@tsefegnirfocof
focofringe.org