The Under the Radar Festival, recently thought to be a casualty of budget cuts at The Public Theater, will reemerge thanks to partnerships between festival founder and director Mark Russell, creative independent producers Thomas O. Kriegsmann and Sami Pyne of ArKtype, and a number of NYC theatre companies. Running January 5-21, 2024, the festival will present performances across the city.
This year's offerings will include works by Cliff Cardinal, Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Dynasty Handbag, Tania El Khoury, Inua Ellams, Jessica L. Hagan, Nile Harris, John Jarboe, Albert Ibokwe Khoza, Motus, Yu Murai/Kaimaku Pennant Race, Pan Pan Theatre, and Peter Mills Weiss and Julia Mounsey. More writers are to be announced.
Partnering theatre companies and venues include Abrons Arts Center with Ping Chong and Company, Fisher Center at Bard with The Invisible Dog Art Center, Chelsea Factory, Japan Society, La MaMa, Lincoln Center, Mabou Mines with Performance Space New York, New York Live Arts | Live Artery, NYU Skirball, St. Ann's Warehouse with Irish Arts Center, Theatre for a New Audience with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Soho Rep, and NAATCO National Partnership Project.
The festival has formerly been hosted by St. Ann's Warehouse and The Public Theater, the latter the festival's longest presenter. The Off-Broadway company put the festival on an "extended hiatus" earlier this year, citing budgetary cutbacks due to continued pandemic-related losses. This decision was met with dismay from New York City’s theatrical community. The festival programs experimental work, including works from international creators, Off Off-Broadway companies, and emerging artists, making it a pivotal proving ground for unproven names.
READ: Public Theater Responds to Outcry Over Cancellation of Under the Radar Festival
A full schedule can be found at UTRFest.org. Tickets will go on sale November 1.