FRIGID New York

'''Frigid New York''' Frigid New York, formerly known as Horse Trade, is a non-profit independent theater company that operates UNDER St Marks Theater, an off-off-Broadway venue located in the East Village of New York City. The organization was founded in 1998 with the mission to support both emerging and established artists by providing them with the opportunity to create, produce, and present original work. Frigid New York aims to amplify diverse voices through a variety of monthly programming, mainstage productions, artist residencies, and eight annual theater festivals, fostering an environment of collaboration, resourcefulness, and innovation. Since its inception, Frigid New York has been dedicated to forming a structure that allows multiple artists to focus on creating and staging new work, while also offering production support and affordable rental space to a multitude of independent artists. Now celebrating its 25th season, the company has produced a significant number of stimulating downtown theater productions. In 1999, Frigid New York introduced the Resident Program, which is now in its 21st year. This program serves as an artistic home for a select group of indie theater artists, providing them with rehearsal and performance space, as well as consulting, administrative, marketing, and artistic assistance tailored to each company's unique needs. The Resident Program has been instrumental in launching the careers of many playwrights, with alumni going on to achieve national and international success, including tours, television and film roles, and accolades such as TONY and OBIE nominations and New York Innovative Theatre (NYIT) Awards. A significant milestone in the organization's history was its acceptance into the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals in 2006, which led to the creation of the FRIGID Festival. This winter fringe festival was the first of its kind in New York City and is characterized by its open and unjuried nature, allowing artists to retain 100% of their earnings. Following the success of the FRIGID Festival, the company introduced additional festivals such as the Gotham Storytelling Festival, FunnYmmigrants, The Fire This Time Festival (an OBIE Award Winner), EstroGenius, Queerly, The Little Shakespeare Festival, and the Days of the Dead. The 2022-2023 season marked the 25th anniversary of Frigid New York, which was celebrated with the appointment of Martha Lorena Preve and Jimmy Lovett as resident artistic directors. The season concluded with the significant decision to leave The Kraine Theater, the company's long-time flagship venue, in pursuit of a new, fully accessible home for the community. Today, Frigid New York welcomes over 16,000 audience members annually, houses hundreds of artists, generates close to $200,000 in box office receipts, produces eight different festivals, supports three resident companies, features two dozen monthly shows, and extends its services to Unit 4 at the Manhattan Correctional Center, among other activities. Frigid New York continues to thrive as a hub for independent theater, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of New York City's East Village and beyond.