A coalition of DC-based theater artists are joining forces to produce a new independent theater festival, District Fringe, to be held in the summer of 2025. The festival is intended to fill a gap left by the abrupt shuttering of the Capital Fringe Festival, which was announced earlier this year.
“For so many years, Capital Fringe was truly the only place where a nascent company or
independent producer could put their work in front of an audience for less than $1,000 with all tech and space included,” said Karen Lange, artistic director of Pinky Swear Productions and one of the artists pioneering the District Fringe effort. “It is a huge loss for the next generation of DC performing artists, which is why we decided to come together and work on a new event that will fill that void: District Fringe.”
District Fringe has already received a $20,000 seed donation, and fundraising efforts are underway to bring this new concept to life this summer.
With the arts community under threat by the Trump administration, Lange and fellow festival producers — who include Theatre Prometheus artistic director Tracey Erbacher and Nu Sass Productions co-founder, co-producer, and artistic director Aubri O’Connor — intend District Fringe to stand as a reminder that artists remain uninhibited, unafraid, and unstoppable in the face of the current political climate.
“The festival will be small but mighty. By necessity, this will be a juried festival, which marks a departure from the previous festivals. Additionally, we’ll focus only on local artists. District Fringe is theater by the people, for the people,” said Lange. “We will not be seeking federal government grants from an administration determined to quash freedom of expression. In these times, art is more important than ever and we need to elevate rather than suppress the voices of artists. Our festival is excited to welcome shows that showcase the incredible diversity of artists in this region. Ultimately, we want the art to reflect the city we live in.”
More information regarding venues and festival dates will be forthcoming. Artist submissions are open now through April 7.
About District Fringe:
District Fringe was created by artists for artists to promote and propel the strong independent theater tradition in the DC area. At a time when the arts community is under direct threat from the current administration, District Fringe unapologetically stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion as they work to create an open, egalitarian space for artists to produce work that challenges, entertains, and inspires.
About Pinky Swear Productions:
Pinky Swear is a women-focused company that debuted to critical acclaim at the 2009 Capital Fringe Festival. They have produced a variety of shows, from the popular Cabaret XXX series to the site-specific Use All Available Doors, an ode to DC’s public transit system. They are three-time winners of the best musical award, and won one best overall audience award at Capital Fringe Festival. Pinky Swear seeks to elevate and empower women on stage.
About Theatre Prometheus:
Centered around compassion, courage, and care, Theatre Prometheus invites artists and
audiences to engage in queer and feminist art, both new and classic. Theatre Prometheus enkindles exploration and revolutionary empathy through practice, performance, and the nurturing of a person-first artistic community.
About Nu Sass Productions:
Nu Sass Productions promotes marginalized genders in all aspects of theater, especially in those roles traditionally dominated by cis-men. Nu Sass explores how disregarding prescribed genders can change the overall experience for the audience. They function as a critical foothold in the theater world for artists who face discrimination and lose opportunities based on their gender, age, body type, or race. Above all, Nu Sass aims to create engaging, thought-provoking art while being a responsible local and global citizen. Nu Sass Productions was founded by Aubri O’Connor and Emily Todd in 2009.
