FRIGID FRIGID  FRIGID

ABOUT FRIGID NEW YORK

The FRIGID New York Festival was founded by Horse Trade and EXIT Theatre in 2007. Since founding The San Francisco Fringe Festival - the 2nd oldest fringe in the United States - nearly 17 years ago, EXIT has learned a thing or two about festival running. They introduced Horse Trade to the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF) in mid-2006.

Besides feedback from dozens of thrilled CAFF participants and artists, Horse Trade was drawn to its main principle:

“…to provide all artists, emerging and established, with the opportunity to produce their play no matter the content, form or style and to make the event as affordable and accessible as possible for the members of the community,”

Horse Trade is proud to sign on to the tradition and chill out the New York independent theater scene's ideas of what a theatre festival can be.

In true support of theatre on the fringe of the mainstream, the artists take home 100% of their box office, and the festival producers do not receive royalties from future performances. The festival’s producers are proud to support self-producing artists’ growth and future success. The debut of FRIGID New York was a hit!

The debut of FRIGID New York in February 2007 was a hit! American Theatre Magazine, Backstage, Playbill, NYtheatre.com, Broadwayworld.com, The Village Voice, and United Stages acclaimed the festival and the work of 29 theater companies featuring almost 250 theater artists from all over the world. Our artists flooded downtown Manhattan for two weeks to peddle their wares to over 2,555 ecstatic audience members. Nytheatre.com gave full coverage and praise to FRIGID -  “a pleasant surprise” – Martin Denton. American Theatre Magazine said “this event promises to steam up the independent theatre scene.” Backstage.com called it “the first festival of its kind to celebrate independent theater”, Playbill, Broadwayworld.com called us “a celebration of independent theater tailored to support the artist.”, and United Stages said we were  “the coolest show on earth!” nytheatre.com subsequently named us one of their PEOPLE OF THE YEAR, 2007! In 2008, FRIGID sidestepped the much feared sophomore slump and featured many returning artists, a 20% rise in attendance, a tripling of sold out performances - and even more daring, original, and thought provoking fare for New York City audiences to enjoy.

Riding the fringe of winter once more, FRIGID New York returns February 24 – March 7, 2010 boasting over 150 performances. 2010 ’s FRIGID New York will also present more events, panels, and parties.

Horse Trade, EXIT Theatre, and all of the hard working staff, artists, and volunteers of FRIGID New York look forward to seeing you and having you join us in this celebration of independent theater. New York City is an indisputable hotbed of groundbreaking talent. We’re proud to once again provide this opportunity for ingenuity to thrive in a venue that values freedom of expression and artistic determination.

3 Theaters, 12 Days, 30 independent theater companies and over 150 performances...see you at FRIGID New York!