San Diego International Fringe Festival celebrated its sixth year by leaning into its identity as a global “culture-shifter.” With 17 venues stretching from the downtown Gaslamp Quarter to the cross-border stages of Tijuana, the festival showcased a diverse slate of shows that ranged from minimalist Italian dramas to high-energy circus arts. 

This year was defined by a sense of polished experimentation. The festival had grown large enough to attract seasoned international touring artists while remaining an essential home for local San Diego creators who typically don’t fit into the conventional theater scene. 

2018 FESTIVAL AWARDS:
(Theatre / Arts)

Award Recipients

Outstanding Solo Performance

—“(I)Sland T(Rap)”

Austin Dean Ashford

Audience Favorite

—“The Magic In This Soul”

Blindspot Collective

Outstanding Comedy

—“How I Learned To Hug”

Jon Bennett

Outstanding Actor-Comedy

—“The Eulogy”

Michael Burgos

Outstanding Drama

—“9841/ Rukeli”

Farmacia Zoo:È

Outstanding Actor In A Drama

—“9841/ Rukeli”

Gianmarco Busetto

Outstanding Musical

—“Apron Goldswift’s Alien Cabaret”

Ellipsoid Players

Outstanding Ensemble

—“Fatu Na Totō”

Le Moana Limited

Outstanding Dance Performance

—“Blueprint”

Sub

Outstanding Site-Specific

—“I’m Smiling Because I’m Uncomfortable”

Unattended Baggage

Outstanding Physical Arts

—“Terms And Conditions”

Bossy Flyer

Outstanding Music Ensemble

—“Wicked Wizards: A Potter Parody”

Turning Tydes

Outstanding World Premiere

—“The Jap Box”

David Hirata

Outstanding Magic Or Mentalist Performance

—“Mark Toland – Mind Reader”

Mark Toland

Outstanding Multidisciplinary Production

—“Let’s Prank Call Each Other”

Zach Dorn

LGBTQ Award

—“The Gay Uncle Explains It All To You”

Jeffrey Robert

Outstanding Performance

—“The Eulogy”

Michael Burgos

Outstanding Production

—“Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries”

Mojalet Dance Collective

Artists’ Pick

—“A History Of Horror”

Cinebra

Best Of Fest

—“(I)Sland T(Rap)”

Austin Dean Ashford

Cultural Exchange Award Winner To Present In New Zealand Fringe

—Austin Dean Ashford

Cultural Exchange Award Winner To Present At Sydney Fringe (Australia)

—Tyler West

Special Achievement Scholarship Award

—Veronica Tang

Family Fringe Award Winners

—Jam Fusion (Youth Rock Band)