10 artists to watch at the 2025 Toronto Fringe
Some of them have decades of theatre experience behind them, while others have just a few shows. These gifted artists and their work are worth catching at this year's festival.
This year’s edition of the Fringe (July 2 to 13) includes over 100 shows. Which means it’s more important than ever to choose carefully. While I’m always excited about discoveries — that’s what the Fringe is about, after all — you want to make sure to pick a few sure things.
My advice? Make up a list of shows you’re looking forward to and fit some unknowns in and around them. And keep your ear to the ground about what shows are generating buzz. A half a dozen or so always come out of nowhere. Remember last year’s Monks, which went from the Fringe to remounts to awards glory?
While I can’t vouch for the final shows by the artists on this list, I can say that these people have all impressed me in the past — either at the Fringe or during the regular theatre season.
Be sure to check out the Fringe program and schedule here.
See you in line!
Who: Joanne O’Sullivan
What: Writer/performer, Something to Look Forward To
Where: VideoCabaret Deanne Taylor Theatre
It’s been a while since O’Sullivan performed a new solo show. Her last, She Grew Funny, won a Patron’s Pick at the Fringe in 2017, and was chosen by Jon Kaplan and me at NOW as one of the outstanding new plays at the festival that year. Since then, she’s done lots of TV (you’ve likely seen this classic Baroness von Sketch Show scene, which she wrote) and acts as host and producer on a number of podcasts. Her new play deals with the unfathomable personal losses she’s experienced in the past several years, and how they made her return to one of her first passions: storytelling.
Directed by the Emmy Award-winning Allana Harkin (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), the show is sure to combine O’Sullivan’s wise, grounded voice with her deep empathy and unique sense of humour. See info here.