Student Fringe Festival 2025

About the Festival

Students from throughout Iowa State University flex their theatre muscles in a celebration of innovation and creativity. 

Advisory: Some performances may contain adult language and content.

Performing at various venues May 2-4, 2025.

General admission. Free for all.

Festival Selections

Program

All My Love and Patience: Directed  and choreographed by Emma Lea Werling
Saturday, May 3 at 10:00 am. North Grand Cinema 
A short film exploration of how fashion and visual storytelling enhance the narrative power of dance. 

Elemental Stories: Choral Theatre at the Fringe: Conceived and directed by Rylee Foreman, Jennifer Rodgers, Amelia Shafer, and Emma Lea Werling. 
Sunday, May 4 at 7:30 pm. Fisher Theater
150 singers from the ISU Cantamus and Lyrica ensembles and the Ames Chamber Artists form a choral theatre. The closing event of the festival, Elemental Stories features both ancient stories and natural soundscapes. 
Elemental Stories Program

ISU Choose Cabaret: Directed by Ashton Hale. 
Friday, May 2 at 8:30 pm and Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 pm. Fisher Theater.
A musical theatre cabaret with a twist - the audience can actively engage and select duets with randomly selected actors to perform songs each night! U get to choose!

Loop: Written by Faye Silk. Directed by Emily Golden and Faye Silk.
Friday, May 2 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, May 3 at 4:00 pm. Fisher Theater. 
A man is trapped in a time loop in a 24-hour diner in this one-act play. 

Marcescence: Created by Alex Harrell and Claire Thede. 
Friday, May 2 at 9:30 pm and Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 pm. Fisher Theater
Marcescence is a phenomenon where plants keep their dead leaves through the winter and into spring. The leaves turn from green to tan but remain attached to the stem. This is a devised original piece co-created by Alex Harrell and Claire Thede. It brings to light six powerful, thought-provoking stories that explore the often-overlooked experiences of women. With its unique combination of raw emotion and symbolic imagery, this production delves into the harsh realities faced by women while offering a platform for their voices to be heard. This piece is a love letter to all of the women in our lives and even before, who have endured the storm in order to get us here today.  Advisory: Adult content and language; discussions of miscarriage; discussions of domestic violence.

Memories of the Dead: Directed by Bryce Steadman and Alvaro J. Escalante. 
May 3 at 9:00 am. North Grand Cinema
ISU filmmakers present their original short film, exploring themes of life and death. Saturday, 

Romeo and Juliet: Directed by Katie Scarlett Ammerman. 
Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at 6:00 pm. Stepatorium, ISU Student Innovation Center.
A gender-bending adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. 

The Death of Station Axis: Written and directed by Quinn Raven Young. 
Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 pm. Ames Public Library
A last group of survivors flee Earth in this one-act play set in a dystopian future. 

Victims of the Cell Block Tango: Written and directed by Mady Ney.
Friday, May 2 at 4:00 pm and Saturday, May 3 at 8:30 pm. Fisher Theater 
The victims of the "Cell Block Tango" tell their side of the story in this ten-minute play. 

What are Best Friends For?: Written and directed by Teddy White. 
Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at 1:00 pm. Ames Public Library
This contemporary ten-minute play is a snapshot of a heartfelt coming out experience between two friends. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness includes everyone.