District Fringe was created by artists for artists to promote and propel the strong independent theater tradition in the D.C. area.

STORY AND VISION

Welcome to the future of independent theatre in the DMV: District Fringe. When Capital Fringe announced the discontinuation of their festival in January, a few of us veteran producers decided it was time to pick up the torch. We are so thankful and inspired by the nearly 20 years Capital Fringe presented their festival that we knew it was up to us to take the opportunities we had and pay them forward to the next generation of producers.

Enter District Fringe: a new summer festival showcasing locally grown theatre hand-picked to entertain you, make you think, and make you feel. We are: 

• UNINHIBITED

  We’re inviting people to bring their most creative performing arts into the world. The art belongs to artists and we are supporting true freedom of expression in a medium that teaches empathy as well as providing entertainment.

• UNAFRAID

  If people can dream it, they can do it. We will be curating this festival, as the spaces are very limited. We’re not applying for federal government grants because they quash freedom of expression. We’ll look for shows that celebrate the diversity of this great city and its residents. District Fringe should be a reflection of all the kinds of people who live here.

• UNSTOPPABLE

  Just because one organization stops does not mean another can’t begin. This is, we hope, the first of many in the grand tradition of fringe festivals the world over. We are a city bursting with creativity in the performing arts. We owe no allegiance to major organizations or established, large theaters. We can literally do anything, so we intend to open the floodgates.