Our Story

In 2009, a small group of theater enthusiasts decided Key West was ready for something new.  They envisioned a theater "of the people by the people," and so they called it The People's Theater of Key West.  The collective became a 501 (c)(3) under the leadership of Connie Hurst, Tammy Shanley, Chris Tittle, and Judy Hadley.  The group successfully staged plays, created improv, and grew within the community until they realized a more centralized structure was needed. In 2011, they approached local playwright and philanthropist Monnie King who rebranded the organization: Fringe Theater Key West. 

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"Expect the Unexpected" became Fringe's motto and plays were staged in churches, museums, art galleries, and more.  Original plays like Conch Republic, the Musical , captured Key West history, and educational programs like Shakespeare in Schools kept a focus on the future. In 2016, Monnie and (board president) Peter King decided to retire from Fringe.  Janet Bengel stepped forward as the new board president, and she had a plan!​

 

Rebecca Tomlinson was hired as the Managing Artistic Director. PhD in theater and (muffled) years of nonprofit management were a good match for Fringe.  Very quickly, Fringe expanded its season, its audience base, and its commitment to developing Key West talent while offering a way "in" to the Key West theater community. Inclusive theater at affordable prices became a major theme for Fringe, and Fringe's reputation grew as Key West's community-focused theater as Fringe committed to and developed the Flip-Side of Fringe including ongoing programs like partnering with Key West Art & Historical and Williams Hall for the Tennessee Williams Festival, working with the Monroe Schools on Field Trip to Fringe programs that bring students to the theater, working with local playwrights to develop new works, and offering staged readings so new actors, directors, and playwrights get a chance to learn the craft.

 

And amidst all the development and growth, Fringe found a home at the Armory!