2024 NanFringe Highlights

Pick of the Fringe: A huge congratulations to Castle of Glass for winning our Pick of The Fringe award! Deaths Cabaret came in a close second place and all of our performers left their hearts on the stage!

Forum Theatre: This 2024 workshop series featured newcomers to the region. Exploring themes of belonging through Augusto Boals world-renowned Theatre of the Oppressed practice, the audience had a chance to rewind the performances and step in to mitigate circumstances of oppression and conflict. Led by Larissa Coser, this was a popular event with many fringe patrons.

Youth Flame: 11 teen artists worked with storytellers Deb Williams and Zoe Henderson to create their own stories, exploring the theme of community through a series of workshops. A thought-provoking evening of story was shared at the Black Rabbit Kitchen. Supported by the City of Nanaimo.

Festival Venues

The Port Theatre Mainstage

Port Theatre Lobby

Black Rabbit Outdoor Stage

Black Rabbit The Attic

2024 Raffle

Over $1500 in Prizes! Thank you to everyone who participated in our raffle and supported the festival!

2024 Fringe Line-Up

Search for the Magical Spatula - Failure Party, Port Alberni, BC | Port Theatre Mainstage | All Ages

Join our hero Randy and his trusty side-kick Baby Steps on a superfluous adventure into a mundane world.

Times: Fri Aug 9 3:45pm, Sat Aug 10 8:30pm, Sun Aug 11 3pm, Sat Aug 17 5:45pm, Sun Aug 18 5:45pm

The Not-So-Secret Life of Rowena Riddle - Theatre on a Stick, Nanaimo, BC | Black Rabbit Outdoor Stage | Family Friendly

Rowena prides herself on knowing every single riddle in the entire world or at least she thought she did.

Times: Fri Aug 9 4pm, Sat Aug 10 4pm, Sun Aug 11 2:15pm, Sat Aug 17 2:15pm, Sun Aug 18 4pm (ASL)

Im Gonna Be FRANK - Priscilla Costa, Vancouver BC | Black Rabbit The Attic | 17+

Frank is working on his comedy special that he wants to bring to LA in hopes of fame.

Times: Fri Aug 9 5:30pm, Sat Aug 10 7:15pm, Thu Aug 15 5:30pm, Fri Aug 16 7:15pm, Sat Aug 17 5:30pm

Wheels and Whoopie - AMK Custom Creation, Toronto, ON | Port Theatre Mainstage | 18+

Double feature show: Randii Andii and Ryan Lachance are headline comedic acts with over 20 years of experience.

Times: Fri Aug 9 5:45pm, Tue Aug 13 5:45pm, Wed Aug 14 3:45pm, Thu Aug 15 8:30pm, Fri Aug 16 8:30pm (ASL)

The Illusionary Magic of Sitruc James - Horus Eye Productions, Regina, SK | Port Theatre Lobby | All Ages

Sitruc James, the enigmatic magician and illusionist, takes the stage promising an unforgettable experience.

Times: Fri Aug 9 7pm, Sun Aug 11 7pm, Wed Aug 14 7pm, Sat Aug 17 7pm, Sun Aug 18 4:15pm

A Life in Transition - Patti Savard, Courtenay, BC | Black Rabbit The Attic | 18+

Patti Savard spills her life onto the stage with this one-woman comedy show of stand-up, theatrics, and song. 2024 PCSC Trans Artist Sponsorship.

Times: Fri Aug 9 7:15pm, Sun Aug 11 5:30pm, Wed Aug 14 8pm, Fri Aug 16 5:30pm, Sun Aug 18 5:30pm (ASL)

Castle of Glass - Wasteland Preachers, Victoria, BC | Port Theatre Mainstage | 14+ - PICK OF THE FRINGE

A theatrical folk-rock poem. Equal parts spoken-word poetry, indie-rock concert, Castle of Glass tells a personal story of self-acceptance.

Times: Fri Aug 9 8:30pm, Sun Aug 11 5:45pm, Wed Aug 14 8:30pm, Thu Aug 15 5:45pm, Fri Aug 16 3:45pm

Youre JustDifferent: An Autism Journey - Adam Jacobson, Vancouver, BC | Black Rabbit Outdoor Stage | 14+

Join Adam Jacobson as he discusses reconciling his autism and weirdness in a powerful and introspective performance.

Times: Sat Aug 10 2:15pm, Sun Aug 11 4pm, Fri Aug 16 4pm, Sat Aug 17 4pm, Sun Aug 18 2:15pm (ASL)

Circus of Life - Fairie Ring Circus, Vancouver, BC | Port Theatre Mainstage | All Ages

In a world stripped of magic by the Dark Emperor, an orphaned child discovers a mysterious Genie trapped in a boot.

Times: Sat Aug 10 3:45pm, Sun Aug 11 8:30pm, Wed Aug 14 5:45pm, Fri Aug 16 5:45pm, Sat Aug 17 3pm

Deaths Cabaret: A Musical Journey to the Other Side - Divinity Rising, Nanaimo, BC | Black Rabbit The Attic | 18+ - RUNNER UP

Weaving the ancient Indian mythology of her ancestral homeland with dazzling cabaret-style song and dance numbers.

Times: Sat Aug 10 5:30pm, Sun Aug 11 7:15pm, Wed Aug 14 5:30pm, Thu Aug 15 8pm, Sat Aug 17 7:15pm

The Kids Are All Dying - TFL Produces, Qualicum Beach, BC | Port Theatre Mainstage | 16+

Set in Seattle at Lincoln Park High, tells the story of two boys struggling through the aftermath of a school shooting. 2024 PCSC Indigenous Artists Sponsorship.

Times: Sat Aug 10 5:45pm, Tue Aug 13 8:30pm, Thu Aug 15 3:45pm, Sat Aug 17 8:30pm, Sun Aug 18 3pm

Tremulous Blur - Passionflower Body, Nanaimo, BC | Port Theatre Lobby | 16+

A physical theatre show exploring self and body, trans-ness, breasts versus no breasts/top-surgery contemplations. 2024 Trans Artist Sponsorship from an anonymous donor.

Times: Sat Aug 10 7pm, Tue Aug 13 7pm, Thu Aug 15 7pm, Fri Aug 16 7pm, Sat Aug 17 4:15pm (ASL)

Live Music at Black Rabbit Kitchen

Live Music with Shel! - August 9th, 8:15-9pm at Black Rabbit Kitchen. Join us for live musical entertainment from the lovely and talented Shel! Her performance is free for any patrons at Black Rabbit Kitchen.

Live Music with Elise Boulanger! - August 17th, 8:15-9pm at Black Rabbit Kitchen. Indie-Chamber-Folk artist Elise Boulanger is a haunting vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and environmental advocate.