Our roots trace to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, which spontaneously erupted in 1947. Eight groups, not invited to perform in the larger Edinburgh Festival of the Arts, created makeshift theaters on the outskirts — or "fringe" — of the established festival. Soon the Fringe Festival gained a large and loyal following, outstripping the mainstream festival.

Fringes around the world have adapted a simple formula that was created in Edinburgh. The main principles were to provide all artists (both emerging and established) with the opportunity to produce their work no matter the content, form or style, and to make the event as affordable and accessible as possible for the members of the community, empowering audiences with the ability to decide for themselves the truly great productions from the good, the bad and the gloriously disastrous.

To this day, the guiding principle of Fringe Festivals worldwide involve uncensored artistic expression, accessibility and community development. Fringing encourages artists and audiences to explore boundaries and to make bold choices in the creation — or enjoyment — of art. The KC Fringe Festival's goal is to provide artists an opportunity to create and perform new material right here in our backyard!