SF Fringe Fest Reveals Increased Sales and Best Of Fringe Awards
Produced by EXIT Theatre, the SF Fringe Fest had total attendance of 1,461 with 40% of the indie theater companies selling out shows.
By: Chloe Rabinowitz Aug. 28, 2025
The 2025 San Francisco Fringe Festival revealed sales of 159% over the 2024 festival which itself was up 35% from 2023. Produced by EXIT Theatre, the SF Fringe Fest had total attendance of 1,461 with 40% of the indie theater companies selling out shows.
The 2025 festival presented 45 performances over three weekends at the 49 seat Taylor Street Theatre in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. With tickets averaging only $13 the festival had total sales of $16,893.
The 34th annual SF Fringe, which accepted applications from all artists and selected the 15 theater companies in the festival randomly by lottery, is a barometer of the health of San Francisco theater. After being forced to close due to the COVID pandemic, the rebound of the festival over the last three years is a bright light for San Francisco indie theater.
Christina Augello, EXIT Theatre's founder and artistic director, announced the Best of the Fringe award winners:
- “Box [M]” by Flying Rabbit Circus (Genie Cartier, Landyn Endo, & Os Roxas) of San Francisco;
- “Just Be Happy” by Steward of Delight (Kendra Ferguson) of San Francisco;
- “Oh Johnny” by Molly Shannon of San Francisco;
- “The Omega Male Program” by Levani of San Diego;
- and finally the beloved Techie's Choice Best of the Fringe award went to “Speak English” by Vanessa Kamp from Barcelona.
San Francisco / Bay Area Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
URINETOWN (Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble)
17% of votes
2.
THE DAY THE SKY TURNED ORANGE (San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company / Z Space)
8.9% of votes
3.
SWEENEY TODD (Cabrillo Stage)
8.6% of votes
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