NYC Fringe Festival 2025 Expands to Brooklyn, Adding The Rat NYC Venue for Indie Theater Showcase

New York, NY – FRIGID New York, a leading force in the independent theater scene, has announced a significant expansion of the 2025 New York City Fringe Festival, adding a new venue in the borough of Brooklyn. The organization confirmed that four Bring Your Own Venue Productions will be staged at The Rat NYC as part of the upcoming festival, scheduled to take place in April 2025. This addition marks a notable broadening of the festival’s geographical footprint, bringing performances to audiences beyond its established Manhattan locations.

The performances at The Rat NYC are set to run from April 2 through April 20, offering Brooklyn residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the diverse and innovative work characteristic of the Fringe Festival model. This Brooklyn venue supplements previously announced festival programming locations, which include UNDER St. Marks, the wild project, and the Chain Theatre, all situated in Manhattan.

Expanding the Festival Footprint

The inclusion of The Rat NYC underscores the festival’s ongoing efforts to grow and reach new communities across New York City. The Bring Your Own Venue (BYOV) model allows independent artists to secure their own performance spaces, which are then integrated into the official festival lineup and programming. This approach fosters greater flexibility and empowers artists to present their work in non-traditional or self-selected settings.

FRIGID New York’s decision to incorporate a Brooklyn venue for the 2025 edition highlights the borough’s vibrant arts community and provides a vital platform for artists seeking to engage with Brooklyn-based audiences. The addition of The Rat NYC is a strategic move that enhances the overall accessibility and scope of the New York City Fringe Festival, reinforcing its position as a major event for independent theater in the city.

Highlighted Brooklyn Productions

The four Bring Your Own Venue Productions announced for The Rat NYC lineup feature a range of theatrical styles and voices. Among the confirmed productions are:

* “Nick Hornedo: Watch This When You Get Home”: Written and performed by Nick Hornedo, this solo work is scheduled for multiple performances at The Rat NYC on Friday April 4, Tuesday April 8, Sunday April 13, and Wednesday April 16. Hornedo’s piece adds a personal narrative element to the diverse festival offerings.

* “the Kobold Show!”: Created by David Andrew Laws and presented by Durnmoose Entertainment, this production promises a unique theatrical experience. Performances at The Rat NYC for “the Kobold Show!” are slated for Wednesday April 2, Sunday April 6, Monday April 14, and Sunday April 20. These dates span the opening and closing weeks of the Brooklyn venue’s festival run.

“Fed Up Fairytales”: This production is a collaboration featuring writing by Michael Hagins, direction by Akia Squitieri & Rachael Langton, and presentation by Rising Sun Performance Company. “F*ed Up Fairytales” is confirmed as part of The Rat NYC lineup during the April 2 through April 20 performance window. This ensemble piece adds a distinct flavor, reimagining classic tales through a contemporary lens.

The specific scheduling for the fourth announced Bring Your Own Venue production at The Rat NYC will be detailed in forthcoming festival announcements.

Understanding the Fringe Model

The New York City Fringe Festival operates on an open lottery-based model, a system widely adopted by fringe festivals globally. This structure is fundamental to the festival’s ethos, designed to lower barriers to entry for artists and provide a democratic platform for theatrical experimentation and expression. Unlike curated festivals, the lottery system ensures a broad and unpredictable mix of performances, ranging from traditional plays to experimental works, comedy, dance, and performance art.

A core principle of the New York City Fringe Festival, and a key attraction for participating artists, is its commitment to directing 100% of box office proceeds directly to the artists. This financial model provides crucial support for independent creators, helping to offset production costs and offering direct compensation for their work.

FRIGID New York is a proud member of both the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF) and the United States Associate of Fringe Festivals (USAFF). These affiliations connect the New York City event to a larger network of fringe festivals, promoting shared values, standards, and touring opportunities for artists within the fringe ecosystem.

The addition of The Rat NYC in Brooklyn for the 2025 festival not only expands the geographic reach but also reinforces the festival’s dedication to providing diverse opportunities for artists within the open, supportive framework of the fringe model.

With performances scheduled at The Rat NYC from April 2 through April 20, the 2025 New York City Fringe Festival is poised to offer an even broader showcase of independent theater, inviting audiences across multiple boroughs to engage with innovative and compelling performances.