History:
Orlando Theatre Project (OTP) was founded in 1985 to meet a need in the Central Florida Community - the development of a regional professional Equity theatre. Productions were performed annually at various venues. Equity productions, a showcase of touring guest artists and collaborative events with other arts organizations formed the repertoire of the first five years of the company's history.
In 1992, Orlando Theatre Project founded the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Modeled after successful festivals in Scotland and throughout Canada, the Orlando Fringe was the first of its kind in the U.S. Central Florida embraced the event and continues to passionately support it. In 1995, the Festival become incorporated on its own, after four successful years in collaboration. Also in 1992, a Director of Development began full time to raise resources to produce shows on a regular basis. A repertory season opened in 1994. After three years of appearances in rented or renovated facilities, the company pursued a relationship with Seminole Community College (SCC) and created an ongoing residency agreement to share facilities, provide educational work experiences for theatre students, and host more arts events for their audiences. The residency was announced at a press conference in July of 1996.
