Antagonist Productions is dedicated to empowering local artists and enriching the Central Kentucky arts community. We work to support, strengthen, and expand the region's artistic landscape, placing local artists at the heart of everything we do.

Founded in 2017, Antagonist Productions is a Lexington, Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to producing bold, accessible theatre while creating meaningful opportunities for local artists and underserved communities. Since our inception, we have sought to remove barriers to participation in the arts by producing high-quality theatrical experiences, investing in local talent, and developing programs that use storytelling as a catalyst for education, empathy, and community connection.

Antagonist Productions began with a simple but ambitious mission: to create professional opportunities for Central Kentucky artists while telling stories that matter. What started as a small producing company has grown into one of the region's most active community-centered arts organizations, presenting productions that range from contemporary dramas and new works to Shakespeare, musicals, and immersive theatrical experiences. Along the way, the organization has built a reputation for championing local playwrights, directors, designers, and performers while ensuring that audiences of all backgrounds have access to affordable, and often free, professional theatre.

One of the organization's defining achievements has been the development of I Come From, a groundbreaking creative writing and theatrical initiative launched in partnership with The Voices Inside in 2017. The program transforms original writing from incarcerated individuals into professionally produced staged performances, giving voice to stories that are rarely heard while fostering dialogue around justice, humanity, and rehabilitation. Following its initial production, I Come From toured multiple Kentucky correctional facilities, allowing incarcerated audiences to experience work created by their peers. Since then, the program has continued to expand through recurring public productions, creative writing workshops, and programming within Kentucky's juvenile detention system, reinforcing Antagonist Productions' commitment to reducing recidivism through arts education and creative expression.

In 2021, Antagonist Productions launched its annual Shakespeare in the Park series in partnership with Lexington Parks & Recreation, establishing what has become one of Lexington's signature summer cultural events. Presented free of charge each July in Woodland Park, the festival combines professional Shakespeare productions with live local music, food vendors, community partners, and family programming, attracting thousands of audience members each year. Previous productions have included The Taming of the Shrew, Othello, The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo & Juliet, and Much Ado About Nothing, demonstrating the organization's commitment to making classical theatre accessible to the broader community.

Supporting new artistic voices has remained central to the organization's mission. Through initiatives such as the Script Drive, Antagonist Productions solicits original plays from Central Kentucky playwrights and selects winning scripts for fully funded productions. This commitment to local storytelling has helped cultivate emerging playwrights while expanding opportunities for artists to develop and premiere new work within the region.

As the organization continued to grow, Antagonist Productions expanded beyond production into arts education and creative workforce development. Today, the organization offers classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults covering acting, musical theatre, improvisation, scenic arts, filmmaking, dance, and technical theatre. These educational opportunities provide structured artistic training while strengthening Central Kentucky's creative community.

To further support local artists, Antagonist Productions established a dedicated Creative Hub in Lexington. The facility includes a black box theatre, scene shop, dance studio, podcast studio, green screen room, self-tape audition room, rehearsal spaces, and classrooms that are available for productions, rehearsals, classes, recording sessions, and community events. By combining affordable rentals with educational programming and collaborative opportunities, the Creative Hub serves as a year-round resource for artists, educators, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations throughout Central Kentucky.

The organization continues to innovate by expanding into new artistic disciplines. Recent initiatives include the launch of PORCHLIGHT, a free outdoor community arts concert celebrating local musicians, dancers, and performers while raising support for regional arts programming, as well as the organization's first feature film collaboration, Rocky Wake, produced in partnership with SmokeyDog Entertainment. These projects reflect Antagonist Productions' ongoing commitment to broadening artistic opportunities while investing in Kentucky-based creators across multiple disciplines.

• Arts Education/Youth Arts
• Literary Arts
• Performing Arts

Antagonist Productions requests $10,000 to support Script Drive, our annual new works initiative dedicated to discovering, developing, and producing original plays by Kentucky playwrights.

The Script Drive is an annual program that provides Kentucky playwrights with the rare opportunity to have their original work professionally developed and produced. Through an open call for submissions, playwrights from across the Commonwealth are invited to submit new, unproduced scripts. A panel of theatre artists reviews submissions and selects a winning play to receive a full production as part of Antagonist Productions' season.

The selected playwright works alongside a professional creative team through script development, casting, rehearsals, and production, allowing the play to evolve through the collaborative process unique to live theatre. The production is staged at Antagonist Productions' black box theatre in Lexington, Kentucky, where audiences experience an original work created by a Kentucky artist. In addition to the production, the playwright receives valuable professional exposure, audience feedback, and the opportunity to build relationships with directors, actors, and designers that can lead to future artistic opportunities.

Grant funding will directly support artist stipends, production expenses, scenic and costume materials, marketing, technical needs, and rights administration, ensuring the selected work is produced at a professional level while remaining accessible to audiences.

The Script Drive addresses a significant gap in the regional arts ecosystem. While many playwrights can write a script, few have access to the resources necessary to see their work fully realized on stage. By investing in local playwrights and producing original Kentucky stories, Script Drive strengthens the state's creative community, fosters artistic innovation, and creates meaningful opportunities for artists whose voices deserve to be heard.

The Script Drive reflects our commitment to making theatre more accessible, inclusive, and representative of the communities we serve. Through an open submission process, the program welcomes playwrights from across Kentucky, creating opportunities for voices and stories that have historically been underrepresented. Our cultural equity efforts are strengthened through our I Come From program, which amplifies the voices of incarcerated adults and youth through creative writing and performance. Several I Come From participants have gone on to submit work to The Script Drive, creating a pathway for justice-involved artists to engage with Kentucky’s professional theatre community. Our 2024 winner, Matt Morse, and 2026 winner, Vince Gatton, are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, reflecting our commitment to elevating diverse voices and lived experiences. By providing professional support, collaboration, and a fully staged production, we remove barriers for emerging Kentucky playwrights.

The target audience is Kentucky playwrights, emerging theatre artists, and Central Kentucky audiences interested in experiencing new, locally created work. We serve a diverse community that includes artists and audiences of varying ages, income levels, educational backgrounds, races, ethnicities, gender identities, and lived experiences. The program is intentionally designed to reduce barriers for playwrights who may not have traditional access to professional theatre opportunities, including emerging artists, underrepresented communities, and individuals connected to our I Come From program. By providing development support and a full production opportunity, The Script Drive creates access for writers who may otherwise lack the resources or industry connections to see their work produced. The resulting production is presented to the broader Lexington community through affordable, accessible theatre, welcoming audiences of all backgrounds.

The Script Drive benefits the community by creating opportunities for Kentucky playwrights, strengthening the local arts ecosystem, and bringing new stories to audiences who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience original theatre. While many writers have the ability to create compelling stories, few have access to the resources, professional relationships, and production support necessary to bring those stories from the page to the stage. The Script Drive bridges that gap by providing selected playwrights with artistic collaboration, mentorship, and a fully realized professional production. By investing in Kentucky artists, The Script Drive helps grow the Commonwealth’s creative economy and keeps artistic resources within our local communities. The program supports not only the selected playwright but also actors, directors, designers, technicians, and other theatre professionals who contribute to the production process. This creates paid opportunities for local artists while strengthening the network of creative professionals in Central Kentucky. The program also promotes cultural equity by creating a platform for diverse voices and lived experiences while also benefitting audiences by providing access to new, locally created theatre. Original stories written by Kentucky artists allow community members to see their experiences, challenges, and perspectives reflected on stage while also introducing audiences to voices they may not otherwise encounter. Presenting this work through Antagonist Productions’ accessible theatre programming ensures that the benefits of the project extend beyond artists to the broader community. Ultimately, The Script Drive strengthens Lexington and Kentucky’s arts landscape by nurturing local talent, encouraging diverse storytelling, expanding access to professional theatre opportunities, and creating meaningful connections between artists and audiences.

Antagonist Productions uses a variety of ways to share information about The Script Drive and connect with artists and audiences. We promote submission opportunities, production updates, and performances through our website, social media, email newsletters, press releases, and direct outreach to local artists and arts organizations. Our marketing focuses on the heart of the program, giving Kentucky playwrights the opportunity to have their stories developed and shared with the community. We highlight the artists, the creative process, and the impact of bringing new voices to the stage. To reach new and underserved audiences, we build relationships with community partners, educational programs, and organizations like The Voices Inside and Studio Players. Through partnerships with local media, arts organizations, and community networks, we continue to expand awareness of The Script Drive and invite more Kentucky artists and audiences to be part of the creative process.

Antagonist Productions believes that strong partnerships are essential to creating meaningful and accessible arts experiences. Our collaborations with arts organizations, civic partners, and community agencies allow us to reach broader audiences, support local artists, and create opportunities for communities that may otherwise face barriers to participation. A foundational partnership is with The Voices Inside, through which Antagonist Productions created I Come From, a creative writing and theatre program that amplifies the voices of incarcerated adults and youth. This partnership has grown over several years and has expanded our ability to use theatre as a tool for storytelling, education, and community engagement. It has also created connections that extend into other programs, including The Script Drive, where participants connected to I Come From have submitted original work for consideration. Our partnership with Lexington Parks & Recreation supports our annual Shakespeare in the Park program, bringing free professional theatre to thousands of community members each summer. This collaboration removes financial barriers to participation, activates public spaces, and strengthens Lexington’s cultural identity by making the arts accessible to residents and visitors. Through relationships with local schools, educators, artists, and community organizations, Antagonist Productions expands access to theatre education, workshops, and creative opportunities for youth and emerging artists. Our Creative Hub also serves as a resource for local performers, filmmakers, musicians, and community groups by providing affordable rehearsal, performance, and creative space. These partnerships create significant cultural, educational, and economic impacts. They provide opportunities for local artists, support the growth of Kentucky’s creative workforce, encourage community engagement, and introduce new audiences to the arts. By collaborating with organizations across sectors, Antagonist Productions continues to build a more connected, inclusive, and vibrant arts community in Central Kentucky.

The goal of The Script Drive is to discover, develop, and produce original plays by Kentucky playwrights while creating meaningful opportunities for local artists and audiences. The program aims to remove barriers for writers by providing professional development, collaboration with theatre artists, and the resources needed to bring new work from the page to the stage. This program directly supports Antagonist Productions’ mission to create bold, accessible theatrical experiences while nurturing emerging artists and strengthening our community through storytelling. By investing in Kentucky playwrights and sharing their work with audiences, The Script Drive expands access to professional theatre opportunities, elevates diverse voices, and helps build a more vibrant and inclusive arts community.

Antagonist Productions evaluates the success of The Script Drive by measuring both participation and community impact. We track the number of scripts submitted each year, the range of artists who participate, and the number of patrons who attend the final production to understand the program’s reach. Each submitted script is reviewed using a grading scale to help evaluate storytelling, structure, and overall production potential. While one script is selected for full production, runner-up submissions are often given feedback and opportunities for continued development through workshops and conversations with theatre artists. We also gather feedback from the selected playwright, creative team, and audiences to better understand the impact of the program and identify opportunities for growth. These evaluation methods help ensure The Script Drive continues to provide meaningful opportunities for Kentucky playwrights while bringing new stories to our community.

This does not take place in the summer. We provide summer programming through Shakespeare in the Park that is applied to Cultural Pass.

The final show can be applied to A Teachers Guide. April 2027

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• Skater-Girls-Press-Release.docx