The Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival — known as IndyFringe — begins its fifth year today with live stage plays, magic, dance, music and improv performances.

If you’ve never experienced the wacky, touching and sometimes irreverent shows of IndyFringe, you’re in for an eye-opening experience. But first, there are a few things you should know about the 10-day festival:

Read the warnings

Squeamish about nudity, adult language and content? Grab an IndyFringe program to read show descriptions and warnings. Many productions are suitable for all ages, but there are some adult-only shows — and the content might be a bit much even for them.

Pauline Moffat, IndyFringe executive director, recalls one couple who buttonholed her last year after a performance they thought was shocking. The five-minute conversation — which included demands for a refund — was interrupted several times by other patrons telling Moffat how much they had enjoyed the show.

She said the couple ended up retracting their demand, admitting: “We made the wrong choice.”

Bring greenbacks

Don’t even think about trying to pay for an IndyFringe show with a credit card. It’s a cash-only festival. For $40, get a Fiver Pass good for five shows.

Don’t be late

Fringe shows — which last one hour with no intermission — always start on time. And once the doors close, latecomers are out of luck.

“To show respect to the performers and the show, we must stick to the rules,” Moffat said.

Don’t forget to tip

Street performers (buskers) are part of the fun. Just walk along Mass Ave., and you’ll see everything from magic to poetry to juggling and music performances. They’re busting their body parts to entertain you, so drop them a bill or two if you like what you see. The only compensation they get is from Fringers like you.