OUR STORY
2005
Lansing theatre artist Chad Swan-Badgero realized there was no festival where theatre makers could come together to share work outside the constraints of a traditional season. The Renegade Theatre Festival was born as a free, three-day celebration of theatrical creativity.
2022
After nearly 20 successful years, the festival was retired.
2026
Though retired in 2022, Renegade’s spirit couldn’t be contained. The intrepid Shannon Bowen, Sally Hecksel, and Ben Cassidy longed for a renegade space and knew others did too, envisioning the rebirth of Renegade, wooing back co-artistic directors Chad Swan-Badgero and Melissa Kaplan.
Eight theatre companies transformed alleys, coffee shops, abandoned buildings, and art galleries in East Lansing into performance spaces. Renegade quickly became a place to experiment, collaborate, and expand what local theatre could be.
We can’t wait for you to join the rebels, the thinkers with wild ideas, the creators of
performance on the edge, and the audiences who want to explore: the fringe.
After those early years and a brief pause, the festival found new life in Lansing’s Old Town with the help of artist Melissa Kaplan. New plays were sought, led by Paige Tufford. Volunteers and musicians signed on, led by Katie Doyle. And later, Jeff Croff created the Renegade Ruckus, a 24-hour play-creation challenge.