The 2026 IndyFringe Festival presented by Everwise Credit Union is in full swing, featuring more than 60 shows from local, national and international performers across six venues.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of IndyFringe Festival, and IF Theater has pulled out all the stops to keep festivalgoers entertained between shows — from stilt walkers and clowning to face painting, lawn games, crafts and magic — there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
I ventured out to see a few shows over the weekend, and I’m happy to report that this year is incredible. Crowds were a bit smaller than I expected for the first weekend of the festival, though I suspect the unpredictable stormy weather and ridiculous humidity might have had something to do with that. Still, Hoosiers and visitors alike came out to support the incredible talent showcased — including these five shows.
READ MORE: Meet the Camp BUTTER students behind BUTTER 6
“The Keeper”
Written and performed by Indianapolis-based playwright and community advocate King Richard, “The Keeper” is a solo show coming out of the Flanner Fringe Lab blending spoken word and music with comedy and tragedy.
The show is driven by the character “The Keeper,” who is employed (by choice) by the god of Death to remember — remember the names, lives and souls of Black men, women and children who have been lynched.
The show does something radical in the way of ritual and remembrance, presenting grief and mourning with anger with hope so tangible you can actually just reach out and grasp it. The show is about an hour of reconciling what it means to be Black in America — that Death himself is not kind, but the Keeper is; must be.
The show is poetic and messy but so deeply human. It’s an interactive monologue designed to feel like a conversation, and in many ways it is, if you chose to answer. “The Keeper” doesn’t simply ask the audience to watch and listen, but learn and remember. The Keeper asks audiences to lean in and reflect on our society, our culture, our ancestors and the history of suffering and loss.
After all, “someone has to do this work,” he repeats like a mantra.
“The Keeper” is show 412, and is onstage at Venue 4, The District Cabaret, 627 Massachusetts Ave., for three more performances, including 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 and 5 p.m. on Aug. 23. It’s recommended for audiences aged 13+ for adult language and discussions of racial violence.
“PsyWrn Simone’s Black Thread: Songs that Nina Taught Me”
Written and performed by local singer, actress and arts advocate PsyWrn Simone, “PsyWrn Simone’s Black Thread” was one of the best evenings I’ve had in a while.
At the top of the show, Simone warns audiences that some of them “might get more than you bargained for,” but to me, that’s a promise, not a threat.
Paying homage to Nina Simone through her performance, Simone gave a deeply intimate and passionate hour-long performance accompanied by percussionist Matthew Dupree. Simone shows off the versatility of her voice with a few of the “Queen of Souls” greatest hits, while weaving in original lyrics and rap verses, thoughtful anecdotes about the singer’s life and legacy as an artist and activist as well as her own.
The show is powerful and memorable, though recommended for audiences aged 10+ for the adult language and discussion of racial violence and drug use. It’s as much a thank you to Nina Simone as it is a passionate call to action.
I was so immersed in it that I was surprised at how quickly time passed and the show had ended. Simone is such a gifted, dynamic performer no matter what she’s doing that it’s like she makes time stop — whether that be singing, rapping, spoken word, or even tap dancing!
“PsyWrn Simone’s Black Thread” is show 606 at Venue 6, the Arabian Room at the Murat Theatre, 510 N. New Jersey St., and has three more performances, including 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 and 11 a.m. on Aug. 23.
“JACKED: A Beanstalk Remix”
Presented by the Kipp Legacy High Theatre Group, “Jacked: A Beanstalk Remix” features a cast of five students weaving storytelling with spoken word, rhyming and repetition in this modern retelling of the classic fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk.” But that’s not all. This story also features a clever twist, incorporating real-world issues, conflict resolution and a realistic, happy ending.
Without giving away too much, the show follows Jack and his village after the happily ever after. What seems like a simple solution to a money problem — a golden egg laying goose — quickly reveals itself to be the source of an even greater problem, as the properties of the golden eggs seem to have addictive-drug-like properties, causing all the adults to lose their minds. It’s up to Jack to save the day… again.
I was invited to see this one, by two students who recently participated in the Recorder’s JAWS program. I’m so glad I went, because it was clever and fun — with minimal set pieces, creative prop work and costume changes right on stage. The Kipp Legacy High Theatre Group really dazzled with this one. The kids in the audience especially loved it.
“Jacked: A Beanstalk Remix” is show 306 and is onstage at Venue 3, The District Mainstage, 627 Massachusetts Ave. for one more performance at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22.
“SOUL: Reimagined”
Kenyettá Dance Company presents “SOUL: Reimagined” with an ensemble of seven dancers, choreographed by Nicholas A. Owens and Lalah Hazelwood-Macon with narration by Arika Casey.
Whenever I get to see a performance by Kenyettá Dance Company, it’s always a treat. These dancers are powerful with exquisite lines and insane grace and control. “SOUL: Reimagined” is a celebration of Black consciousness, detailing the harrowing journey our ancestors suffered during the middle passage to the fear and perseverance felt through slavery in America.
Dancers were accompanied onstage with a few digital backdrops — first of a seed sprouting, then of the ocean waves and rolling fields of cotton. They danced to a variety of Afro-centric and Black cultural music as well as other nontraditional tracks — like the sound of a heartbeat and breath sounds, rushing water, bells, babies crying — making it a multi-sensory immersive visual performance.
It’s beautiful, it’s uncomfortable, it’s even a little weird at some points (in a good way, I promise). “SOUL: Reimagined” might just be the best performance I’ve seen come out of the IndyFringe Festival. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss.
“SOUL: Reimagined” is show 507 and is onstage at Venue 5, the Athenaeum Basile Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St. for two more performances at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22 and 5 p.m. on Aug. 23.
“Bats! Our Maligned Friends”
I caught show 201, “Bats: Our Maligned Friends,” at Venue 2, the Blackbox at IF Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St. Written and performed by Carrie Hawks, New York based multi-hyphenate artist and creator of the Emmy-nominated film “black enuf,” the show was a refreshing blend of stand-up, dark comedy, and storytelling.
Through “Bats! Our Maligned Friend,” Hawks promised to walk the audience through the connections between bats, autism and transness. In just under an hour, I’d say they did exactly that — though I could’ve sat through more than an hour worth of genuine anecdotes about identity and family, bat puns and photos of the adorable fuzzy flying creatures (also called a flittermouse!)
Not only was the show funny, bold, relatable and informative, it was also incredibly well-paced and structured. This is the first time I’ve chosen to review a stand-up show as part of IndyFringe, and I really enjoyed it. Hawks admitted to going off script a few times, and had some technical difficulties, but the atmosphere was light and comfortable, and eventually got where it needed to go.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like “Bats: Our Maligned Friends” has any more showings scheduled, but you can find more about Hawks’ work at maroonhorizon.com. There are also plenty of performances to choose from — including comedy, theater, music, dance and magic — across all six venues every night through Aug. 23.
For more information about the 2026 IndyFringe Festival presented by Everwise Credit Union, to browse shows or buy tickets, visit indyfringe.org/festival.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
