2 days Ago By Matthew J. Palm
Even before Gov. Ron DeSantis used Orlando Fringe to justify his elimination of state arts grants this year, the nonprofit was grappling with a series of challenges. Just weeks after disappointing attendance numbers cast a cloud over May’s annual Fringe Festival, a water leak at Fringe ArtSpace on Church Street caused extensive damage and forced the postponement of the new OutFest, a celebration of queer theater, and the hasty relocation of the annual Latin American Performing Arts Festival.
The leak exacerbated concerns about the cost of ArtSpace to the 32-year-old organization — the nation’s oldest fringe festival — because the age and condition of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system foretell another looming expense. And the Fringe is facing these blows with reduced staff: In recent weeks, three top leaders — those overseeing production operations, marketing and communications, and fund-raising development — have parted ways with the group. “It’s a lot all at once for one organization,” said interim executive director Scott Galbraith, who is contracted to lead Orlando Fringe until after its May 2025 festival, the annual lineup of short plays, concerts, comedy, magic and dance shows that takes over Loch Haven Park.
“This team is doing it with style and grace and finesse, but it’s hard.” Galbraith was hired in February with a mandate from the board to create a strategic plan for the organization’s future. Reshaping the job str.
