Actors Theatre of Louisville Announces New Storytelling Revolution Festival

The festival will feature world premieres, readings, immersive performances, and experimental works from artists across Kentucky and the region.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Actors Theatre of Louisville has announced The Storytelling Revolution Festival, a new work play festival staged in collaboration with The Louisville Fringe Festival. The festival will bring together artists and companies from across Kentucky and the region for a grassroots, community-centered festival featuring world premieres, readings, immersive performances, dance-theatre, devised work, and experimental forms.

Why it matters

For 45 years, Actors Theatre was home to The Festival of New American Plays, which helped launch many playwrights, composers, ensembles, and interdisciplinary artists who have shaped the American theatre landscape. The Storytelling Revolution Festival aims to continue this legacy of supporting new work and welcoming audiences into the process of discovery.

The details

The Storytelling Revolution Festival will be held April 1-17 and will include 15 productions across Actors Theatre's various performance spaces. The festival will feature world premieres, readings, immersive performances, dance-theatre, devised work, and experimental forms from artists and companies across Kentucky and the region. In addition to the performances, the festival will also include opening and closing parties for audiences and artists to gather, connect, and celebrate.

  • The Storytelling Revolution Festival will be held April 1-17, 2026.
  • Tickets for the festival will go on sale to members on February 3, 2026 and to the public on February 17, 2026.

The players

Actors Theatre of Louisville

A renowned regional theatre that has long been a launchpad for new American plays and interdisciplinary artists.

The Louisville Fringe Festival

A local festival that collaborates with Actors Theatre on the new Storytelling Revolution Festival, bringing together artists and companies from across Kentucky and the region.

Amelia Acosta Powell

The artistic director of Actors Theatre, who said the new festival will serve as a "joyful gathering where audiences and artists can bounce between performances, discover new voices, and stick around to talk, toast, and connect."

Emily Tarquin

The managing director of Actors Theatre, who said the festival "ensures that our legacy of new work is not only preserved but intentionally evolved."

Benjamin Benne

The playwright of the world premiere production "Wave After Wave" at the festival.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Storytelling Revolution Festival will serve as a joyful gathering where audiences and artists can bounce between performances, discover new voices, and stick around to talk, toast, and connect.”

— Amelia Acosta Powell, Artistic Director, Actors Theatre of Louisville (Actors Theatre of Louisville)

“Supporting artists in creating and sharing new work has always been core to Actors Theatre. The Storytelling Revolution Festival ensures that our legacy of new work is not only preserved but intentionally evolved. This new model deeply celebrates the amazing artists of our region while activating our full theatre complex, and inviting audiences to engage with new stories in meaningful ways together.”

— Emily Tarquin, Managing Director, Actors Theatre of Louisville (Actors Theatre of Louisville)

What’s next

Tickets for the Storytelling Revolution Festival will go on sale to members on February 3, 2026 and to the public on February 17, 2026. Additional details about the full schedule and programming will be announced at a later date.

The takeaway

The Storytelling Revolution Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville represents an exciting new chapter in the theatre's long history of supporting and elevating new American voices. By partnering with the Louisville Fringe Festival, the event promises to bring together a diverse array of artists and companies from across Kentucky and the region, offering audiences a chance to discover bold, innovative, and community-driven storytelling.