Even with a busy Tony season behind us and fall still several months away, theatre lovers have no need to despair. Every summer, a cornucopia of festivals lets artists from around the world bring their work to New York. From seasoned veterans to emerging performers cutting their teeth, these events give a berth to every imaginable type of production.
Listed here are seven vital festivals to add to your calendar. For special ticket offers, check our Off-Off@$9 website ($5 for June performances), which updates daily with offers.
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PLANET CONNECTIONS THEATRE FESTIVITY
WHAT: Over 50 new productions, readings, and films – all with a socially-conscious attitude.
WHEN: June 15 – July 12
WHERE: The Paradise Factory, 64 E. 4th St., NYC
WHY: Planet Connections is designed to invoke the power of art in motivating philanthropy, community outreach, and social change. All performances available through TDF are listed under "PCTF" on our
offers page
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QUEERLY FESTIVAL
WHO: Presented by
Horse Trade
WHEN: June 25-July 3
WHERE: The Kraine Theatre & Under St. Marks
WHY: A festival seen through lavender-colored glasses, Queerly views the lives of Southerners, Canadians, people of color, sports fans, and more through the lens of queer identity.
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FRESH FRUIT FESTIVAL
WHO: Presented by All Out Arts
WHEN: July 13 – 26
WHERE: The Wild Project, 193 East 3rd St
WHY: This is the 13th year of this festival celebrating queer arts and culture. It's devoted to bringing together the diverse artistic, organizational, political, and financial resources of the LGBTQ community in order to fight intolerance.
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THE MIDTOWN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL
WHAT: 40 new works, revivals, comedies, and variety shows
WHEN: July 13th – Aug 2
WHERE: Davenport Theatre, 354 W. 45th Street
WHY: The Midtown International Theatre Festival celebrates the diversity of theatre, emphasizing imaginative, low-tech staging.
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GAME PLAY
WHO: The BRICK
WHEN: July 10-25
WHERE:
The Brick Theatre, 579 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn
WHY: A festival of genre-defying, multi-site, multimedia performances inspired by games and gaming. The 7th annual Game Play festival will once again feature cutting-edge works that lie at the intersection of video gaming and performance.
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THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL
WHAT: More than 30 new musicals, concert stagings, and readings, curated by a jury, who this year included Michael Cerveris, Donna Lynne Champlin, Hunter Foster, and Billy Porter.
WHEN: July 7 -27
WHERE: Various Off-Broadway houses including Signature Theatre, Theatre Row, and the Laurie Beechman
WHY: Every year, the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents a diverse range of new musicals, with a focus on shows that feel stylistically, thematically, and/or culturally vital. The point is to nurture the future of musicals by showcasing composers and writers who might push the form forward.
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THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
WHAT: Over 200 performances of plays, musicals, variety acts, solo shows, dance, puppetry, and much more, selected from over 1000 yearly submissions worldwide
WHEN: Aug 14-30
WHERE: Venues TBD, though you should expect most shows to play downtown
WHY: The largest festival of its kind in North America, with participation and attendance surpassing even the NYC Marathon, the Fringe is now in its 19th year. More than 200 companies from all over the world perform, giving adventurous audience members an almost unparalleled chance to experience the global indie theatre scene.
Go here for a list of shows, and look for the complete schedule of dates and venues in the coming weeks.
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