Golden Lanyard Awards

2025 will be the 6th Golden Lanyard Awards!
Awardees will be announced Sunday, August 10th at the
Closing Night Party at The Cedar.

Audience-driven Awards 

Spirit of the Fringe (1 recipient): Vote for the "Fringiest" production you saw in this year's Festival Season! Who made the boldest choices, took the most risks? Which piece took audiences on an adventure?

Audience Picks (3 recipients): Vote for your favorite production of the Festival Season!

Venue Picks (8 recipients): The top selling production at each Fringe-managed venue (based on the first 4 performances).

Fringe with Benefits Member Pick (1 recipient): A special award for our year-round champions, Fringe with Benefits members, to select their favorite production.

Artist-driven Awards* 

Artist Picks (3 recipients): Vote for one favorite company/production showcasing artistic achievement -- a prestigious, peer-given award!

Underdog Award (1 recipient): Vote for the company -- producing here at Minnesota Fringe in the Festival for the first time -- which has taken the boldest risks, been the most ambitious newbie, and wowed you with their first show!

• To view a list of eligible shows, use the Features column on the 2025 Shows page to search for First-time Producers and First-time MN Fringe Festival Producers.

*Artists are ineligible to vote for their own show.

Staff-driven Awards 

Members of the year-round Fringe team recognize a production based on their organizational role... and/or their own fringe-tastic, creative prerogatives!

Special Awards 

The Beverlee Award honors the legacy of Beverlee Everett, mother of theater reviewer and playwright Matthew Everett. Each summer, Beverlee made the trip from Pennsylvania to Minnesota to tenaciously "Fringe-binge" with Matthew. Beverlee was a warm and wonderful presence to all who knew her. Our Fringe flame burns darker in her absence.

The Bryon Award honors the legacy of long-time Fringe Festival Theater Technician, Bryon Gunsch. As the Technical Director of the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater for over 20 years, Bryon was an essential member of their team as well as ours. This award will be bestowed on the Festival Tech who demonstrates Bryon's abundant creativity and resourceful ability to make theater magic with humble resources. The stage lights are dimmer in his absence.

The 2024 Golden Lanyard Award Winners!

Audience-driven Awards 

Spirit of the Fringe

• A First-Class Comedic Revue... Featuring the Reanimated Corpse of a Wright Brother by an alleged Theatre Company

Audience Picks

• The Dumb Waiter by Jackdonkey Productions
• Beanie Baby Divorce Play by Melancholics Anonymous
• A First-Class Comedic Revue... Featuring the Reanimated Corpse of a Wright Brother by an alleged Theatre Company

Venue Picks

• Interstella 5555: A Daft Punk Discovery by Funk Haus Theater
• Huge and Maeve Join A Cult! by Alex Stokes / Sky Blue Productions
• Last Pitch Effort by Sara McCabe
• The Life Robotic by Playabunga Productions
• 5 x 5 by Transatlantic Love Affair
• A Horse Walks Out Onto the Stage and Dies by Theatre On The Rocks
• All the Hullabaloo by Corpus Dance Works
• Love Lies a Bleeding by Vee Signorelli
• Yo-Ho-Hum: A Pirate's Midlife Crisis by Hey Rube!

Fringe with Benefits Member Pick

• Daddy Issues by Pretend Productions

Artist-driven Awards

Artist Picks

• 5 x 5 by Transatlantic Love Affair
• As Above, So Below by Michael Rogers
• \Good Ones\ by Shambles Theatre Company

Underdog Award

• A Horse Walks Out Onto the Stage and Dies by Theatre On The Rocks

Staff-driven Awards 

• Welcome To The Food Chain by Beta Fish Productions
• The Greenhouse by Eye of Jupiter Theatre
• A Number by W.A.S. Productions
• The Light Bringer by Light Bringer Productions
• VILE by Francesca Montanile Lyons

But Wait... There's More Awards

• Tragedy of Maila Kami by Majhuwa Bagar Jana Kala Manch (Fringe-spiration)
• Seance Sisters by Rebecca Wickert (Technical Magic)
• Close Call: A How-Not-To Guide to Being a POS by Navel Gaze Productions (Sign of the Times)
• IMP presents Collidescope by The Improv Movement Project (Fringey AF)
• Holy O by Lauren Hance of Out of Mind Productions (Triple Threat)

Special Awards 

The Beverlee Award was given to our dedicated patron, donor, and volunteer Andrew Troth.

The Bryon Award was bestowed upon our talented tech, Andy Tollin.

The 2023 Golden Lanyard Award Winners!

Audience-driven Awards 

Spirit of the Fringe

• A Swimming Lesson in a Theatre Without a Lifeguard by an alleged Theatre Company

Audience Picks

• Grindr Help Desk: The Musical by David Stillman
• New Origins: Beauty and the Beast by Two Minnie Cooks
• A Girl Scout's Guide to Exorcism by Melancholics Anonymous

Venue Picks 

• Adaptopus by Hercules Theatre Company at Augsburg Main
• The Very Model of a Modern Monster Scientist by Mermaid Productionsat Augsburg Studio
• Grindr Help Desk: The Musical by David Stillman at Mixed Blood Theatre Company 
• BRUTUS by Rebecca Wickert and Ella Eastman-Kiesow at Theatre in the Round 
• A Girl Scout's Guide to Exorcism by Melancholics Anonymous at Rarig Arena 
• 1992: Mistakes Were Made! by Jason Schommer at Rarig Xperimental 
• 5-Step Guide to Being German by Paco Erhard at Rarig Thrust 
• Ha Ha Da Vinci by Phina Pipia at Southern Theater

Fringe with Benefits Member Pick 

• Baldwin's Last Fire by Black Lives Black Words International Project

Artist-driven Awards 

Artist Picks:

• "Starved": The Astonishing True Story of the University of Minnesota Starvation Experiment by Pat O'Brien
• Ha Ha Da Vinci by Phina Pipia
• A Girl Scout's Guide to Exorcism by Melancholics Anonymous

Underdog Award 

• The Definition of Loss by Ashen Armor Productions

Staff-driven Awards

• Reincarnation Soup by Viet Nguyen presented by Amber Bjork, Artist Liaison / Office Manager
• Funny, Like an Abortion by EnCompass Theatre,  presented by Felicia Cooper, Director of Audience & Volunteer Engagement
• we can wish: a beatboxing and music variety show by musicbyskippy, presented by Mitchell Frazier, Festival Technical Director
• Phoneix Presents by Phoenix Theater, presented by Ariel Pinkerton, Community Liaison

Beverlee Award was given to our dedicated patron, Nanette Stearns

The 2022 Golden Lanyard Award Winners were:

Audience-driven Awards 

Spirit of the Fringe

• 3 Guys on Stage Who Get Hit with Hot Dogs, Snow Cones, etc. - an alleged Theatre Company

Audience Picks

• On a Stick: A Minnesota State Fair Musical - Literally Entertainment
• Endometriosis: the Musical - Ripped Nylons Productions
• My Empty Arms - Broken Wing Productions

Venue Picks 

• Burr: A New Musical - The Churchill Theater at Augsburg Main
• Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theatre - Doc Woods & Friends at Augsburg Studio
• Developers - Michael Rogers at CFPA Black Box
• 3 Guys on Stage Who Get Hit with Hot Dogs, Snow Cones, etc. - an alleged Theatre Company at CFPA Flex
• Changing the Narrative: Climate Stores for Justice - Change Narrative LLC. at Bryant Lake Bowl
• Moonwatchers - Killer Whale Collective at HUGE
• A Day with the Newhearts - Meloncholics Anonymous at Mixed Blood Theatre Company 
• Endometriosis: the Musical - Ripped Nylons Productions at Theatre in the Round 
• Orzel Rising - Hey Rube! at Rarig Arena 
• The Hysterical Woman - Fortune's Fool Theatre at Rarig Xperimental 
• Desi Heart Crust - SAATH at Rarig Thrust 

Fringe with Benefits Member Pick 

• 'WHOOSH! The Civil War Mythology of Michael Hickey and His Perilous Precipitation Oer St. Anthony Falls.' - Wheeler In The Sky

Artist-driven Awards 

Artist Picks:

• 'WHOOSH! The Civil War Mythology of Michael Hickey and His Perilous Precipitation Oer St. Anthony Falls.' - Wheeler In The Sky
• Orzel Rising - Hey Rube!
• Finger Lickin' Good - Special When Lit
• Peace Retreat - New Endeavors
• Endometriosis: the Musical - Ripped Nylons Productions

Underdog Award 

• Moonwatchers - Killer Whale Collective

Staff-driven Awards

• TRAITOR - Rogue and Rabble Dance, presented by Amber Bjork, Artist Liaison / Office Manager
• Swords & Sorcery: The Improvised Fantasy Campaign - The Bearded Company,  presented by Kaitlen Osburn, Business Operations Director
• The Withcy World of Luna Muse - Luna Muse, presented by Mitchell Frazier, Festival Technical Director
• Becoming Baba Yaga - Laura Packer, storyteller, presented by Angela McLaughlin, Development & Communication Director

Fringe-spiration Award

• Jon Bennett: FIRE IN THE METH LAB - 2HOOTS PRODUCTIONS

A Joyful Mess Award

• Help Me Help You Help Yourself - Your Silent Partner

Beverlee Award was given to our gracious patron Florence Brammer

Red Locks 'Give it a Shot' Award was presented by Kieran Folliard to Connor's Gonna Tell: The Táin Bó Cúailnge - Mad Company

...Additionally, 60 awards were presented from artists to other artists for their inspiration, perspiration, and dedication to make the Minnesota Fringe Festival successful. Thank you!!!

The 2019 Golden Lanyard Award Winners were:

Audience-driven Awards 

Spirit of the Fringe

• Chisago: The Musical - Haute Dish Productions
• Fool Muun Komming! [BeBgWunderful/YEsyes/4sure.Hi5. TruLuv;Spank Spank:SOfun_Grate_Times] - Sam Kruger

Audience Picks

• The Scranton Strangler: An Office Musical - Literally Entertainment
• Chisago: The Musical - Haute Dish Productions
• STOOPIDITY - Ian McCarthy, Michael McKitt & Domino D’Lorion

Venue Picks

• Minneapolis Human Rhythm Project - Keane Sense of Rhythm at Barker Center
• Decision Artist: A Comedy Mind Reading Show about Decision Making - Kristoffer Olson, Funny Magician at Strike Theater
• Booth’s Ghost - Andrew Erskine Wheeler at Ritz Mainstage
• Which Middle Name of Philip Seymour Hoffman Are You? - An Alleged Theatre Company at Ritz Studio
• You are Cordially Invited to the Life and Death of Edward Lear - The Winding Sheet Outfit at The Crane Theater
• Quiet Riot - Broken Box Mime Theater at Augsburg Mainstage
• Chocolate Covered Chicken Wings - Paradox Productions at Augsburg Studio
• Operation: Immigration - Wandering Jew Productions at Mixed Blood Theatre Company
• Xena and Gabrielle Smash the Patriarchy by Mermaid Productions at Theatre in the Round
• A Cult Classic - Sheep Theater at The Southern Theater
• Edith Gets High - Devious Mechanics at Rarig Arena
• STOOPIDITY - Ian McCarthy, Michael McKitt & Domino D’Lorion at Rarig Xperimental
• The Scranton Strangler: An Office Musical - Literally Entertainment at Rarig Thrust

Fringe with Benefits Member Pick

• You are Cordially Invited to the Life and Death of Edward Lear - The Winding Sheet Outfit

Artist-driven Awards

Artist Picks:

• Fool Muun Komming! [BeBgWunderful/YEsyes/4sure.Hi5. TruLuv;Spank Spank:SOfun_Grate_Times] - Sam Kruger
• Booth’s Ghost - Andrew Erskine Wheeler
• A Confederate Widow in Hell - Breaker/Fixer Productions

Underdog Award

• Unproblematic Faves: Best of Ladybrain - Ladybrain

Staff-driven Awards

• Magic Girl - Emily Michaels King, presented by Jay Gilman, Artistic Director
• RELIC - Jesse Factor, presented by Amber Bjork, Artist Liaison / Office Manager
• Adventuring While Black in Great Britain - The Adventures of Les Kurkendaal, presented by Liz Neerland, Festival Technical Director
• Beowulf - John Heimbuch, presented by Kaitlen Osburn, Director of Audience & Volunteer Services

Beverlee Award was jointly given to Candice & Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff.

The 2018 Golden Lanyard Award Winners were:

Audience Picks:

• Not Fair, My Lady! - Colleen Somerville Presents
  
• My 4 Bodies - Nightfox Stage Productions
  
• DREAMING - Gabriel Mata/Movements
  
• Next: The Musical (A Sidekick Story) - Foxlin 

Spirit of the Fringe: 

• Hamlet, but Hamlet's a Chicken - Grand Island Theatre
  

Venue Picks:

• Next: The Musical (A Sidekick Story) - Foxlin  at Augsburg Studio 
  
• Inescapable - Concrete Dropsat Augsburg Main
  
• WHALES - Hit the Lights! Theater Co.  at Ritz Main
  
• Estate of Affairs - So Shall I  at Ritz Studio 
  
• Slapdash Panic: Comedy Suitcase ended up in the Fringe Festival with 3 weeks notice and no show! - Comedy Suitcase  at Strike Theater
  
• Not Fair, My Lady! - Colleen Somerville Presents  at Mixed Blood Theatre
  
• Hamlet, but Hamlet's a Chicken - Grand Island Theatre  at Minnsky Theatre
  
• Summers in Prague - Sidecar Theatre  at Rarig Arena 
  
• Couple Fight: The Musical! - Weggel-Reed Productions  at Rarig Thrust
  
• Forsythian Dweller's Club - Bittersweet Arts Co.  at Rarig Xperimental
  
• Blood Nocturne - The Winding Sheet Outfit  at Southern Theatre
  
• A Justice League of their Own - Mainly Me Productions  at Theatre in the Round
  

Fringe With Benefits Members' Pick

• Blood Nocturne - The Winding Sheet Outfit
  

Artist-driven Awards

Artist Picks:

• Swords & Sorcery: The Improvised Fantasy Campaign - The Bearded Company Minneapolis
  
• WHALES - Hit the Lights! Theater Co.
  
• Blood Nocturne - The Winding Sheet Outfit 

Underdog Award: (awarded to a first-time-at-Minnesota-Fringe-first-time producer/company)

• Not Fair, My Lady! - Colleen Somerville Presents
  

Staff Picks

• Still, Or I've Been Choreographed - Kevin Williamson + Company (Awarded by Jay  Gilman, Artistic Director)
• Stark Dance: Politics, Religion, Sex - Fearnot Dance (Awarded by Liz Neerland, Technical Director)
• (a) Normal Theatre Play - Goof Goof (Awarded by Amber Bjork, Artist Liaison/Office Manager)
• Abeyance - Tyler West (Awarded by Kaitlen Osburn, Director of Audience & Volunteer Services)