Br!nk

At the BRINK New Play Festival we celebrate & develop the work of Midwestern women playwrights.

Br!NK is Moving!

The dates for the 2023 Br!NK Festival will be moved from the top of our 2023-24 Season to the end in 2024.

Dates for the next Br!NK Festival: May 17 & 18, 2024
Next Submission window for Br!NK 2025: April 1, 2024 - June 30

Rehearsal for Renaissance Theaterworks production of Nubian Stories by Nabra Nelson, part of the Brink New Play Festival

What is BRINK?

Each year, Renaissance Theaterworks puts a call out to Midwestern women playwrights to submit their work.

  • Two playwrights are selected to receive the BRINK Playwright Residency — the opportunity to develop and advance their scripts during a week-long workshop with a director, cast and dramaturg.
  • This dedicated team partners with the BRINK Resident Playwrights, researching and pondering the script from every angle.
  • Following the workshop week, the plays are presented as staged-readings for the public at the week-long BRINK New Play Festival in September!

The BRINK New Play Festival is unlike a traditional theatrical evening. These staged-readings are focused on the playwright’s work and audience members are encouraged to provide feedback during guided talk-back sessions. Playwrights have the opportunity to meet the actors and directors and mingle with a community passionate about creating and enjoying theatrical works.

Previously the BRINK New Play Festival weekend included performances of BRINK Briefs — a collection of fully-staged ten-minute plays and Playwriting Labs for aspiring or experienced playwrights. We hope to bring these programs back soon. 

BRINK 2022 is Supported by

Logo for UPAF United Performing Arts Fund, proud supporter of Renaissance Theaterworks
Logo for Wisconsin Arts Board, proud supporter of Renaissance Theaterworks
Bader Philanthropies logo