There is an inscription carved into the dome of the Rhode Island State House that essentially says “Think what you like and say what you think.”
That sentiment is drawn from Tacitus, a Roman historian and senator who lived circa 56 – 120 AD, and the philosophy of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams’ ideals of liberty and free expression is attributed to him. It also perfectly captures the heart of the Providence Fringe Festival presented by the Wilbury Theatre Group. They haven’t just created a festival; they’ve nurtured a thriving, inclusive arts ecosystem. The festival reflects the best parts of Providence — its boldness, diversity, and unapologetic originality. In a time when artistic freedom is more vital than ever, FringePVD is not just entertainment. It’s a civic act of joy, courage, and community.
The Providence Fringe Festival (FringePVD) — now in its twelfth spectacular year, truly captures the soul of Providence’s artistic spirit. With over 300 artists, 70 performances, and 12 venues, the 2025 edition is the biggest yet, lighting up Providence’s Valley Arts District from July 13 to 26.
The Wilbury Theatre Group: Champions of Artistic Freedom
Founded on the principles of innovation, inclusion, and inspiration, The Wilbury Theatre Group is a professional, not-for-profit company with a fearless vision. Since receiving the National Theatre Company Award from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards) in 2018, Wilbury has continued to disrupt conventional theatre-making with bold, boundary-pushing productions. FringePVD is perhaps their most thrilling contribution to Rhode Island’s cultural landscape — a platform for “all things weird and wonderful,” as founder Josh Short puts it.
What Makes FringePVD So Special?
FringePVD is New England’s largest Fringe Festival, modeled after the historic Edinburgh Fringe but tailored to Providence’s offbeat charm and fierce local talent. What sets it apart?
- Unjuried and uncensored: Every artist who applies gets in, no gatekeeping, no censorship.
- Wildly diverse offerings: Theater, dance, puppetry, music, spoken word, burlesque—you name it.
- Affordable and artist-centered: 100% of ticket sales go directly to the performers. Wilbury minimizes costs so artists and audiences alike can participate.
- Fast, fun, and fearless: Most shows are under 60 minutes with minimal tech. It’s raw, urgent, and refreshingly unfiltered.
FringePVD celebrates theatre on the edge, where unconventional storytelling thrives and experimental voices are not only heard, but uplifted.
This Year’s Highlights
This year’s festival will feature more than 150 performances across 12 venues including 50 Sims, The Steel Yard, Teatro ECAS, WaterFire Arts Center, and Wilbury Theatre Group, itself. The performances will be both indoors and outside, with the city becoming a stage. Every corner of Olneyville and the Valley Arts District pulses with creative energy during the stretch of performances. The show durations are typically 45 to 60 minutes, which is ideal for sampling multiple events in a single evening.
Whether the audience is into polished monologues, punk rock puppetry, absurdist dance, or irreverent political satire, there’s something for everyone .
One performance, titled Ascension: A Monologue on Feminist Awakening and Transcendentalism, is an excerpt from local playwright Cat Collyer’s “larger work-in-progress exploring the Transcendentalists through the eyes of Margaret Fuller—a woman who, in the 1840s, was already light-years ahead of her time. This monologue captures her final day on Earth, a moment of spiritual reckoning and release,” according to a statement from the artist.
Another scheduled performance is by Charles Sweigart, who is the creator and actor of the piece, titled God and Manic Depression. Sweigart explains that this one-man show is a raw, reflective journey through mental health, spirituality, and self-reckoning.
“This story has lived inside me for a long time,” says Sweigart. “Now, for the first time, I’m sharing it out loud—with hope that others see a part of themselves in it.”
In Travel “Whore”: The Backside of International Relations, “academic-turned-performer Jo-Anne Hart brings wit, vulnerability, and sharp insight to a true story drawn from decades in international diplomacy and elite academia. Through comedy, she unpacks the absurdities of being a woman in global security—dodging vomit bags on flights, wrangling headscarves in Iran, and getting tossed in a rolling chair during a high-stakes Navy briefing at sea,” according to the show’s pitch.
“This is about the big things told through the small humiliations,” Hart says. “It’s all true. And it’s funny—because it has to be.”
Fringe Roots, Local Love
Though the Fringe movement began in Edinburgh in 1947, Providence has made it its own. Josh Short and his team created FringePVD not just as a festival, but as a platform for artists on the fringe of mainstream storytelling, offering them space, attention, and celebration.
This festival also brings audiences into new worlds. People who might never set foot in a traditional theatre find themselves laughing, crying, and thinking deeply at a Fringe show. It’s a beautiful reminder that art is for everyone.
A complete listing of shows, events, and ticket information is available at fringepvd Tickets and passes are affordably priced to keep the experience inclusive, and every dollar spent supports a working artist.
Judith Clinton is a playwright, producer and author, whose work explores myth, and transformation. Her plays and stories reflect her belief that storytelling can both heal and ignite change. She is Co-Executive Director of the Rhode Island Theatre Makers Roundtable www,ritheatremakersroundtable.
Want to comment? Click!