MEDIA
MEDIA KIT
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2025 BorderLight Press Releases
CLEVELAND (Monday, July 14, 2025) – The BorderLight Theatre Festival runs Wednesday, July 16 – Saturday, July 19 in the Playhouse Square District. To help you make the most of your festival experience, here’s what you need to know before you go.
TICKET AND BOX OFFICE INFORMATION Tickets to all festival shows can be purchased online, by phone (216.356.6485), or in person at BorderLight’s Main Box Office at The City Club of Cleveland from July 16–19.
Single tickets range from $9.25 to $36.25, and discounted ticket packs are available from $43 to $156. This year, the festival also offers 13 free shows open to the public.
PARKING Downtown Cleveland is a bustling hub for dining, retail, and entertainment, making parking challenging at times. To help, we’ve created a comprehensive parking guide with a variety of convenient locations and price points near festival venues to make your BorderLight visit as seamless as possible.
ACCESSIBILITY Celebrating the diversity of the human experience is at the core of BorderLight’s mission. We aim to make our events as accessible as possible so everyone can experience art and community. Visit our accessibility guide for details on making your visit to the festival comfortable and hassle-free, including information on our sensory-friendly performances and our ASL-interpreted performances in partnership with The HeArd.
DINING In addition to the many fantastic restaurants in the Playhouse Square District, we’re excited to share that Hofbrauhaus Cleveland is offering BorderLight attendees a 10% discount on their meals. Simply show your festival ticket to your server on the day of your show to receive the discount. And on Saturday, July 19th, Pop Culture CLE will be on-site at the Playhouse Square Plaza from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
FESTIVAL GUIDES Festival Guides, which include a complete festival schedule and venue map, are available at various coffee houses, restaurants, and businesses throughout downtown Cleveland and nearby neighborhoods. It can also be accessed online on the BorderLight Theatre Festival website. Be sure to continue to check BorderLightCLE.org for festival updates between now and July 19.
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2015 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence, BorderLight Festival is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theatre that inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding, and celebrates the diversity of the human experience. Since debuting in 2019, BorderLight has welcomed thousands of arts enthusiasts to downtown Cleveland and showcased hundreds of international and domestic performances. Learn more about the 2025 BorderLight Theatre Festival at BorderLightCLE.org, and across social platforms by following @BorderLightCLE.
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BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL :: MEDIA KIT https://docs.google.com/document/d/19XHUgimVqP-RZLiK1tWZiu34-XrfqnDK/edit#heading=h.qtwj80qk634v
MEDIA CONTACT Debby Samples, Marketing Strategist, debby@BorderLightCLE.org
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2025
SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING
CLEVELAND, OH (Tuesday, July 8, 2025) – BorderLight Theatre Festival, taking place
July 16–19 in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square District, is thrilled to announce an exciting slate of special events and programming to engage audiences of all ages.
OPENING NIGHT EVENT
Fringe Unleashed | Previews. Pop Ups. Live Performances.
Ticket Price: $11.25 (includes fees)
Kick off BorderLight 2025 in style at its Opening Night event, FRINGE UNLEASHED | PREVIEWS. POP UPS. LIVE PERFORMANCES, taking place Wednesday, July 16th from
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM at The City Club of Cleveland. The evening will feature a mix of food, drinks, and unforgettable performances marking the official start of the Festival. Hosted by the fabulous Sam Dee, guests can expect roaming characters, including the iconic Mary Kay Vampires—plus pop-up performances by artists such as Informed Chaos, The Life I Sing About, 10K Movement, Black is the Color of My Voice, Instant Opera, Sankofa, Jacquesalope, Arachne, and Rustbelt. Attendees will mingle with artists and fellow Fringe fans, preview shows, and grab tickets on the spot with Box Office staff available to assist with passes and packs.
Come early to catch Wizbang Theatre performing in their tent on Playhouse Square Plaza from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM before the party kicks off across the street at The City Club.
Tickets are limited, so order yours today.
FRINGE JR.
Family-Friendly Programming
Ticket Price: Varies per show | Fringe Jr. 4-pack $43
BorderLight’s Fringe Jr. program lineup is curated for kids, teens, and adults alike, blending imaginative storytelling and creative artistry across genres. Performances run throughout the festival, where families can enjoy circus arts, magical stories, dance battles, and interactive theatre. In addition, large-scale games like Giant Bowling, Checkers, Connect 4, and Cornhole will be available for free Thursday, July 17 through Saturday, July 19 on the Playhouse Square Plaza.
And be sure to mark your calendars for BorderLight’s special Family Zone event on Saturday, July 19, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the Playhouse Square Plaza. Kids can get creative with blackout poetry, bubbles, hand puppets, coloring, wrist ribbon crafts for the kid dance party, collage-making, chalk art, and designing their own pennant flags.
For full information on Fringe Jr., including show times and ticket information, please visit the Festival’s website.
CLOSING NIGHT EVENT
Fringe Finale Wrap and Awards Party
Ticket Price: FREE | $10 suggested donation
As the curtain closes on BorderLight 2025, make plans to attend the Festival’s Closing Night Event, Fringe Finale Wrap and Awards Party, on Saturday, July 19, from 9:00 PM to 11:30 PM at The Hermit Club.
This masquerade-themed celebration will honor BorderLight’s 2025 standout performances and most magical festival moments. Dance to DJ Theo, enjoy live piano tunes, visit the oracle reader, and create your own mask upon arrival. Costumes are encouraged for extra flair, but come as you are and join the festivities because everyone’s invited to this unforgettable night.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot for BorderLight’s Closing Night Event today. Come masked. Come marvelous. Come ready to celebrate the stars of the show.
FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are available online or by phone (216.356.6485). Single ticket prices range from $9.25 to $36.25, with ticket packs from $43 to $156. The festival is also offering 13 free shows open to the public.
Festival Guides are available at coffee houses, restaurants, libraries, and businesses throughout downtown Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods. The Festival Guide is also available in digital form on the BorderLight Theatre Festival website.
Be sure to continue to check BorderLightCLE.org for festival updates between now and July 19th.
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2015 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence, BorderLight Festival is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theatre that inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding, and celebrates the diversity of the human experience. Since debuting in 2019, BorderLight has welcomed thousands of arts enthusiasts to downtown Cleveland and showcased hundreds of international and domestic performances. Learn more about the 2025 BorderLight Theatre Festival at BorderLightCLE.org, and across social platforms by following @BorderLightCLE.
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BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL :: MEDIA KIT
MEDIA CONTACT
Debby Samples, Marketing Strategist | debby@BorderLightCLE.org
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
ANNOUNCES 2025 PARTNERED PROGRAMS
CLEVELAND (Tuesday, June 24, 2025) – The BorderLight Theatre Festival, returning to downtown Cleveland’s Playhouse Square District July 16th-19th, proudly announces its slate of partnered programs that highlight collaboration across Northeast Ohio’s rich performing arts scene.
BORDERLIGHT BRAWL - 1V1 OPEN STYLES DANCE BATTLE
Presented in partnership with 10K Movement, this dynamic mini-dance battle showcase features eight dancers from across Northeast Ohio. In this tournament-style event, each dancer will compete head-to-head, with the ultimate goal of being the last one standing.
Wizbang Theatre invites you to enter a whirlwind of wild vaudeville, surreal sideshow acts, and outrageous talent! Hosted by mischief-makers Pinch and Squeal, this twisted variety show reimagines the circus through jaw-dropping stunts and unforgettable spectacle.
A vibrantly powerful showcase of scenes and monologues performed by beginner and intermediate acting students from Cleveland’s acclaimed D.O.C. Studios.
FRENCH CREEK THEATRE PRESENTS: THE CRITTER CREW!
A playful, family-friendly puppet adventure about a group of reptiles putting on a theatre fest, until Harry the turtle loses confidence. Brought to life in collaboration with Lorain County Metro Parks.
IN THE SHADOWS: A MONOLOGUE EVENT WITH CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM Co-created with convergence-continuum, this powerful monologue event uncovers what hides in the shadows, amplifying stories that are often overlooked and voices that deserve to be heard.
JULIA DE BURGOS CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts proudly presents their youth dance groups, Grupo Coqui and Sabor Latino, as they bring to life the rhythms of salsa, bachata, merengue, and plena.
Step into a world of color, wonder, and over 100,000 bubbles! Presented by Wizbang Theatre, the Bubble Witch blends science, silliness, and spectacle in this whimsical, all-ages performance.
An original work exploring themes of climate change, family trauma, and women’s mental health as told through dance, physical theatre, and storytelling. This production is in partnership with Cleveland State University Department of Theatre & Dance.
Talespinner Children’s Theatre proudly presents the newly relaunched PLAYGround, a series of short plays for young audiences and families. This sensory-friendly performance features an interactive response process where attendees help shape future full-length productions, along with family-friendly activities and take-home kits to extend the fun at home.
Back by popular demand, Poetry Free Cleveland invites you to take part in spontaneous, heartfelt, and one-of-a-kind street poetry in action. Step up and give a word, image, or idea, and a personalized poem will be crafted on the spot.
A funny, bold musical exploration of the college experience—created and performed by the true experts: eleven students from the Cleveland State University Department of Theatre & Dance.
UNHINGED: A BURLESQUE PLAY ON MODERN DATING HIGHS AND LOWS
Through drag and burlesque, artists unleash raw, unfiltered stories of love, trauma, and healing. Presented by Issa Vybe Productions, this striking and provocative production explores the humor, heartbreak, and vulnerability of modern dating.
This one’s for the weirdos, the wallflowers, the wanderers. Set within the historic Hermit Club, this site-specific work by Micro Theater CLE is part play, part cabaret, part community ritual—blurring the line between art and gathering, performance and party.
Tickets are available online or by phone (216.356.6485). Single ticket prices range from $9.25 to $36.25, with ticket packs from $43 to $156. The festival is also offering 13 free shows open to the public.
Festival Guides are available at coffee houses, restaurants, libraries, and businesses throughout downtown Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods. The Festival Guide is also available in digital form on the BorderLight Theatre Festival website.
Be sure to continue to check BorderLightCLE.org for festival updates between now and July 19th.
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2015 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence, BorderLight Festival is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theatre that inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding, and celebrates the diversity of the human experience. Since debuting in 2019, BorderLight has welcomed thousands of arts enthusiasts to downtown Cleveland and showcased hundreds of international and domestic performances. Learn more about the 2025 BorderLight Theatre Festival at BorderLightCLE.org, and across social platforms by following @BorderLightCLE.
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BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL :: FESTIVAL ASSETS
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WuGO4PNCrYbZfxO8h_fsJPnAm0VSdhA6?usp=sharing
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL :: PARTNERED PROGRAM SHOW IMAGES
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FwLsOymSySMD8B9BGZaDymaSJYxSzY8-?usp=sharing
MEDIA CONTACT
Debby Samples, Marketing Strategist | debby@BorderLightCLE.org
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
UNVEILS LINEUP
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
CLEVELAND (Tuesday, May 20, 2025) – The BorderLight Theatre Festival, taking place July 16th-19th across 16 stages in the Playhouse Square District, is thrilled to announce its lineup, with tickets now on sale at BorderLightCLE.org.
This year's program showcases 49 diverse and innovative shows, representing 10 states, three countries, and a wide range of artistic genres.
Single ticket prices range from $9.25 to $36.25, with ticket packs from $43 to $156. The festival is also offering 13 free shows open to the public. Tickets are now available online. Beginning May 28th, tickets are also available by phone by leaving a message at 216.356.6485. From July 16th-20th, tickets can be purchased at our Main Box Office at The City Club of Cleveland (1317 Euclid Ave | 44115). During the festival, tickets are also available 1 hour before show time at: Cleveland State University’s Theatre & Arts Building (2121 Euclid Ave | 44115), The Hermit Club (1629 Dodge Ct | 44114), and the Wizbang Tent on the Playhouse Square Plaza (1350 Euclid Ave | 44115).
Festival Guides will be available in early June at coffee houses, restaurants, and businesses throughout downtown Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods. The Festival Guide is also available in digital form on the BorderLight Theatre Festival website.
Be sure to continue to check BorderLightCLE.org for festival updates between now and July 19th.
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2015 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence, BorderLight Festival is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theatre that inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding, and celebrates the diversity of the human experience. Since debuting in 2019, BorderLight has welcomed thousands of arts enthusiasts to downtown Cleveland and showcased hundreds of international and domestic performances. Learn more about the 2025 BorderLight Theatre Festival at BorderLightCLE.org, and across social platforms by following @BorderLightCLE.
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BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL :: FESTIVAL ASSETS
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WuGO4PNCrYbZfxO8h_fsJPnAm0VSdhA6?usp=sharing
BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL :: SHOW IMAGES
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1s75sQgGB-AUCO7CdmKra56jRSa-nxTd6?usp=drive_link
MEDIA CONTACT
Debby Samples, Marketing Specialist, debby@BorderLightCLE.org