MARK YOUR CALENDARS

BORDERLIGHT RETURNS
July 8-11, 2026!

Join us  in the Playhouse Square District for four unforgettable days of innovative performances and vibrant community celebrations. Stay tuned for exciting announcements.

BorderLight Festival 2026

The Unexpected Takes Center Stage

July 8 - 11, 2026 - Tickets on sale may 6th

Get ready for four exhilarating days of bold, original, and unforgettable performance. At its core, BorderLight is Fringe—unfiltered, unconventional, and full of discovery—alongside a select international program. With 40+ productions across 16 stages in the Playhouse Square neighborhood, you’ll binge on theatre, explore new ideas, and connect with artists from Cleveland, the U.S., and around the world.

From comedy and drama to storytelling, immersive works, and experimental gems, Fringe is the heart of BorderLight.

2026 SHOWS

Learn more about all the great shows you can see at BorderLight 2026 and buy your tickets online!

EXPLORE SHOWS WITH THESE FILTERS

Search

Performance Date(s)

Show Type

Spotlights

Genre

Age Suggestion

Price

Venue

Venue Features

Behind the Scene: Building a Live AI Performance

A behind-the-scenes workshop with artist Amir Yatziv exploring the creation of Peter Is Back, from Kafka's original story to live AI performance. Participants get an inside look at how the AI character is built, how script and improvisation interact in real time, and what it means to share a stage with a non-human entity.
135 minutes

Bell, Book, and Discount Cocktails

The Witches are back, and they’re looking for a third (*wink). Join the two remaining members of the legendary Shakespearean coven as they attempt to find a worthy replacement for the long-estranged Third Witch.
30 minutes

Blessed Unrest: a Fantasia on Martha Graham’s Demons

Breaking her years of silence and isolation, Martha is unexpectedly holding an intimate gathering to witness a prickly pivotal moment. Known for her mercurial nature, any visit with Martha promises to be unpredictable.
40 minutes

Butterfly Harvest

This solo Butoh tale conveys the the story of a butterfly farmer waking to gather himself before the blue hour of dawn—just before the sounds of nature shift from toads to birds.
20 minutes

Closed Loop of Consanguinity

To whom or what do you bow? Witness and sense your belonging in the complex web of relations, seen and unseen. Through a visceral, physical exploration of bowing, performers express forms of devotion, power, and right relationship.
30 minutes

Con Tú Variety Show

Hosts TJ Maclin and Stephanie Ginese bring together some of their favorite comedians, writers, and musicians for a variety show unlike any other.
60 minutes

Enjoy This EP

A cranky music critic gets tasked to review an album written by his ex only to discover that all of the songs are about him.
60 minutes

Experiments in Exhaustion Technology

Fill out the form, spin a wheel, and roll the dice. Now what? A song? A talking mannequin? A game? Kick a can aside, and puzzle over this changing show: live, with audio and video.
60 minutes

Gr33n Hamzies & Eggoes

Explore a childhood classic, but scrambled. "Gr33n Hamzies & Eggoes" invites audiences of all ages to enter a sensory world of whim and whimsy. Designed to be a low-fi calming space, families are encouraged to gently explore together.
Self-Paced

H.O.P.E.

Physical theater solo show inspired by the ancient Greek legend of Pandora.
50 minutes

I Hate Memory!

I Hate Memory! is an unconventional musical memoir about growing up in the midst of the swirling art scene of downtown New York City.
75 minutes

Improvsburg

Improvised Game show from your suggestions!
55 minutes

In the Castle of Eternal Sunset

An intimate, interactive ode to boyhood. As the characters play their final session of Dungeons and Dragons, live die rolls prompt audience members to read aloud texts containing the 300,000+ possibilities of how the boys’ lives might unfold.
45 minutes

In Visible Orbit

An original dance show by choreographer Greenhouse examines “invisible” disabilities and explores chronic illness under capitalism. They ask if any disabilities are truly invisible, or if society just refuses to see the needs of the disabled person.
20 minutes

It’s all a MESS! An Evening of **Smutty** Monologues with Convergence-Continuum

A night of **smutty** monologues with your friends at convergence-continuum.
60 minutes
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The International Plaza

Coming soon: the International Plaza at Playhouse Square Plaza — free and open to all ages, with live performances, pop-ups, and a vibrant space to gather and experience the festival together.

2026 PRICING

Whether you join us for every show or just one, there's something for everyone...
and every budget!

Prices shown include all required fees. No additional charges will be added at checkout.

All performances list age recommendations, and some include content warnings.

Fringe Shows

Fringe tickets are priced to keep the festival accessible while supporting artists. The majority of ticket revenue goes directly to the artists, with the remainder helping cover festival production, venues, and staffing.

Standard

$16.50

Special Pricing

Students, Veterans, Seniors (65+)

$15.00

Youth

Ages 6 - 14

$11.50

*Children ages 5 and under may attend for free if they are able to sit on a parent or guardian’s lap. If a separate seat is needed, a Youth ticket should be purchased.

International Ticket Pricing

These are invited international productions presented as part of BorderLight’s International Program.

Standard

$38.00

Special Pricing

Students, Veterans, Seniors (65+)

$34.00

Binge on Fringe Packages

Binge-on-fringe packs are flexible! Use packs however you like—see multiple shows, share with friends, or spread them across days. Ticket packs offer up to 20% savings per ticket and are valid for Fringe performances only.

4-Pack

$60.00

8-Pack

$112.00

12-Pack

$156.00

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BOX OFFICE

Online

Explore this season’s shows above and purchase tickets or ticket packs online in advance. After ordering, you’ll receive an email confirmation with your electronic tickets, which can be shown at the door on your phone or as a printed copy.

By Phone

Box office support will be available May 6 – July 11 by leaving a message at
216-356-6485.

In-Person

From July 8-11, tickets can be purchased
at our main box office at the City Club of Cleveland (1317 Euclid Ave, 44115)

Hours:
Wed. 7/8 | 2:00 - 9:00 PM
Thu. 7/9 | 3:00 - 9:45 PM
Fri. 7/10 | 3:00 - 9:45 PM
Sat. 7/11 | 12:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Additional Box office notes:

The following venues will also be available for ticket sales one hour before show times:

The Hermit Club at 1629 Dodge Court and the Theatre & Arts Building at CSU at 1901 E. 13th Street.

 

Free Shows: Most free performances that are inside a venue require advance registration due to limited seating. Check the show page to see if registration is required. Walk-up seating may be available, but registered guests are admitted first.