So what is the deal with FringeNYC's strict "no latecomer" policy? Learn why it's necessary...
Dear FringeNYC Patron –
We are sorry that we cannot admit latecomers to FringeNYC shows. As you know, this is a festival of more than a thousand performances and we learned in our early years that if we hold one show for five minutes to seat latecomers, the next show starts ten minutes late, and by the end of the day, shows are starting at dawn. We also do have some venues where latecomers would have to walk across the stage in order to get to a seat - which is distracting not only for other patrons, but the performers as well!
But more importantly, we’ve had $15 advance tickets for ten years. We really strive to keep our ticket prices (and artists fees) low. This has been much more difficult since the tragic events of 9/11 – after which our general liability insurance premiums doubled. Frankly, it nearly meant the end of The New York International Fringe Festival.
The reason we’ve been able to maintain this coverage (without foisting the cost onto our artists, as most festivals in
Plus, we just don’t want y’all to get hurt.
The way to avoid all of this is to do things as safely as possible, and to maintain the same policies at all nineteen venues for all 5,000 artists and all 75,000 beloved audience members. And, of course, to not let a flustered late-arriving patron enter a completely dark theatre (that they've likely never been in before) during a performance and try to crawl over other patrons or up the back of risers or down steps to try to find a seat – which is not only disturbing to the other patrons, but also incredibly dangerous and just asking for trouble (i.e. an "occurrence").
For the above reasons, our patrons who purchase tickets online must agree to the terms and conditions below before being allowed to purchase tickets. Patrons who order tickets over the phone are read the statement, and those who visited FringeCENTRAL are told in person by a wonderful volunteer sporting a “No Latecomers” button.
If you have any further questions about this you may email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will reply as soon as I can – though I do hope you understand it may be September before I can reply personally.
Thank you for understanding, and enjoy FringeNYC!
Elena K. Holy
Producing Artistic Director
Terms and Conditions:
FringeNYC SHOWS BEGIN PROMPTLY AND LATECOMERS ARE NOT ADMITTED AT ANY FringeNYC VENUE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST FIFTEEN MINUTES PRIOR TO PERFORMANCE TO PICK UP YOUR TICKETS
PLEASE NOTE: YOUR TICKETS WILL NOT BE MAILED...You must pick up tickets at the WILL CALL pick-up area AT THE VENUE where the performance is taking place 15-minutes prior to the start of the performance. Look for the WILL CALL sign and the volunteer in the bright yellow vest. Bring the credit card used to purchase. Latecomers are not admitted under any circumstances.
All sales are final. No refunds or Exchanges allowed.
I understand and accept these terms.
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