Beatniks

musicals and operas · the collective beat ensemble · Ages 12+ · United States of America

It’s 1950s Manhattan, and the Village is buzzing with creativity. Jazz music floats through the air while beat poetry adds to the rhythm of the city. “Beatniks” follows the interconnected journey of writers Diane di Prima, Joyce Glassman, Elise Cowen, Hettie Jones, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and more as they rebel against conformity through their artistic visions. This high energy musical gives audiences a look into the lives of several literary icons who rebelled against the conformity of 1950s America. Through their revolutionary poetic expression, these writers conveyed the ideals of a generation that longed for authenticity and self-exploration.

Production Team


davia schendel *

director/writer/producer

mina bloom  *

music director/producer

phoebe balson *

stage manager

jared davis *

costume designer

rachel berman *

diane di prima

scottie nevil *

hettie jones

nola dodd *

elise cowen

brady richards *

jack kerouac

kyle frattini *

neal cassady

charles platt *

professor williams/peter orlovsky

roxy seven *

joyce glassman

autumn sylve *

audre lorde

* Fringe Veteran