Living abroad inspired BorderLight International Theatre + Fringe Festival Acting Executive Director Dale Heinen to launch the European-style fest in Cleveland.
“I was exposed to festivals in Europe, and really wanted to bring that model here,” says Heinen, who co-founded Borderlight in 2015 with Jeffrey Pence.
Borderlight returns to venues around Cleveland this week, July 20–24, with the mission to present visionary international theater and build cross-cultural understanding. The first festival took place in 2019. A virtual Fringe Festival was held in 2021.
This year’s fest will feature several international productions, including works from Mexico, Germany, Israel and Australia. “Khuraki,” a play by and about Afghan refugees to be performed at the Old Stone Church, will also include a “culinary performance.”