Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission: Fresh Ink Theatre Company cultivates artistic growth and introduces rising talent to the greater Boston theatre community through new play development. We work to bridge the gap between the pre-professional and professional industry for theatre artists.
Values: We believe that representation onstage and community-building offstage has the power to inspire audiences, shift worldviews, foster understanding, and challenge the status quo.
Vision: Fresh Ink envisions an artist-forward approach to developing plays applied broadly, with audience members invited in as collaborators.
Artistic Director Hannah Levinson and playwright Elena Toppo at a talkback for Why Won’t You Bang Me? (Erin J Solomon Photography)
“Fresh Ink gives me access to a theatre space as an artist ready to do the work as my whole self, without having to explain who I am or what my identity means. It takes away that barrier of “will these people, this company, my co-creators understand and accept me? Will I have to do that work while trying to do my job as an artist?” I know when I come into a Fresh Ink rehearsal room, everything will be set up so that I can succeed. There is nothing stacked against me, which is the way other theatre companies can feel. They have the space and understanding for artists like me, and know what they can do to help me thrive. ”
“Fresh Ink is a Boston playwright’s dream. No other local company takes scripts through the complete process—from reading to workshop to production, supporting and nurturing writers every step of the way. I saw my work from every angle, got to play and experiment and try out changes—all with a crack team of talented, fun, and caring artists dedicated to making the best theater we can.”
The cast of Ugly Feelings by Karina Cowperthwaite (Erin J Solomon Photography)
(L to R) Jaden Hatim Bridges and Jupiter Lê in mary magdalene, daughter, boatperson by Diana Không - co-presented with CHUANG Stage, 2026 (French’s Fotos)
“Fresh Ink is the only theatre in Boston dedicated to developing the playwrighting talent of the Boston area. And they do it in a deeply engaging, artistically rich, and collaborative and joyful way. The plays and the playwrights are uplifted through each process, and cool new stuff gets made. ”
Our Story
Fresh Ink Theatre is a company dedicated to the development of new work on the Boston small theatre scene in a collaborative, playwright-centered manner. The company was born in the summer of 2011 and debuted at the Factory Theatre the following December with the nearly sold-out run of Priscilla Dreams the Answer by Walt McGough. In the years following, Fresh Ink has worked with over 30 playwrights via a unique submission model and development process, workshopping and producing plays by David Valdes, Francisca Da Silveira, MJ Halberstadt, Cecelia Raker, Lila Rose Kaplan, MJ Kaufman, Patrick Gabridge, and many more. Fresh Ink also created the Ink Spot staged reading series as another avenue to showcase new work in process, as well as the annual Mad Dash 24-hour play festival, which brings together theatre artists from across Boston to create eight new plays in a single day. Now, after producing at the Factory Theatre, the Boston Playwrights' Theatre, and First Church Boston, Fresh Ink is thrilled to be a company in residence at the Boston Center for the Arts.
Cast of Pigeon House by Kara Hadden, during the Ink Spot Festival 2023