NEW THIS YEAR: We will be accepting online applications for Indoor and KidsVenue performance spots. Keep on reading to find out about the online process. You can also still apply the old fashioned way by printing off a copy of an application (see download links below) and mailing it in with the appropriate fees.
Inspired by the Fringe phenomena that had established itself in Western Canada, the Toronto Fringe was founded in 1989 by a group of artists interested in providing a similar affordable and accessible avenue for independent artists to showcase their work. The inaugural Toronto Fringe included four stages in the Annex neighborhood presenting 30 independent productions and took a pioneering step in mandating equal access to the festival's resources to anyone regardless of age, race, experience or aesthetic bias.
Over the past 19 years, the Fringe has continued to grow and play a leading role in Toronto's theatrical landscape in response to the needs of its participants and audiences. We have developed key initiatives such as the Fringe Club/free cabaret series, the Bring Your Own Venue category, the 24hr Playwriting Contest, a KidsVenue, discount Fringe ticket passes, the Fringe New Play Contest, free seminars for participants, distribution of a free Fringe Program, a web café, online interactive review board and same day advance tickets in the hopes of enriching the Fringe experience for artists and audiences alike.
In 1999 the Toronto Fringe was instrumental in collaborating with Fringes across Canada and the US to create the Touring Lottery, providing artists with the opportunity to tour their show to Fringe festivals across North America. The Fringe continues to be Toronto's largest theatre event and has: showcased 1755 independent theatre productions, returned just under $3,000,000 to the participating artists, welcomed over half a million audience members and provided thousands of artists with a launch pad for their artistic careers. The 2007 festival set records for the fourth year in a row returning $399,321 in box office revenue to the artists and shattering prior box office records with a total ticketed attendance of 57,184.
The Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival is a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe ® Festivals (CAFF) and, as such, operates under the four guiding principles of CAFF:
• Participants will be selected on a non-juried basis, through a first-come, first-served or lottery process.
• The audience must have the option to pay a ticket price, 100% of which goes directly to the artists.
• Fringe Festival producers have no control over the artistic content of each performance.
• Festivals must provide an easily accessible opportunity for all audiences and all artists to participate.
The Fringe's primary role is to support the health and vitality of the independent theatre community. We then ensure that:
• The Festival maintains a well-marketed and well-organized event in which artists may develop and produce new work
• Companies have a reasonable opportunity to earn back their investment and compensate themselves for their work
Our unjuried mandate ensures that anyone who has an idea to express, a risk to take, a question to pose or a story to tell has fair access to The Festival's resources regardless of where they're from or what they'll perform. Our populist ideals have encouraged artists to explore the ideas that inspire and appeal to them hence, the Fringe has been the start of many successful artistic careers, the breeding ground for exciting new Canadian work, a leading development tool for artists and continues to be a centre of innovation and creativity.
INDOOR APPLICATIONS
Deadline: Friday January 18, 2008
Online Applications: must be time stamped 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time) or earlier
Mailed or Hand Delivered Applications: Application Form and both cheques must be received by 6 PM (EST)
The Fringe operates 10 regular indoor venues which are assigned 10 companies/productions each. Applications are selected by lottery, drawn in several different categories determined by region of origin and running time. Companies and/or individuals may only submit one indoor application - multiple applications will result in the disqualification of all.
Go To Indoor Application Policies (if you are applying online)
Download Indoor Application (for drop off or mail)
KIDSVENUE APPLICATIONS
Deadline: Friday January 18, 2008
Online Applications: must be time stamped 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time) or earlier
Mailed or Hand Delivered Applications: Application Form and both cheques must be received by 6 PM (EST)
The KidsVenue is programmed with eight plays exclusively for families and children and has been very successful over the past seven years (ticketed attendance of 3452 and $21,000 in box office revenue in 2007). Plays in the KidsVenue MUST be suitable for young audiences; all KidsVenue applications must include a short synopsis to ensure it is family friendly. Applications are selected by lottery. Companies may submit an application for an indoor slot as well as an application for the KidsVenue lottery. Should a company be drawn in both categories, they will only be allowed to accept one performance slot.
Go To KidsVenue Application Policies (if you are applying online)
Download KidsVenue Application (for drop off or mail)
BRING YOUR OWN VENUE (BYOV) APPLICATIONS
Applications accepted starting 10 AM, January 4, 2008 to Friday April 4th, 2008 or until spots are filled.
A BYOV is a theatre project submitted by a company that has found or created their own venue for their production. The Fringe created this category in 1994 to respond to the artists' need to produce a play that could not be fully realized within the constraints of a normal Fringe indoor venue. BYOV productions are required to provide all of the technical aspects of their production but the Fringe will provide the box-office service and general publicity. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis with preference given to unique/site specific proposals with final approval made by The Fringe. Each application must be accompanied with a detailed project proposal and proposed venue location. In 2007, 20 BYOVs were part of the Fringe. At this time we have not yet set the number of BYOV's that will be accepted into the 2008 Fringe.
The BYOV Application cannot be completed online.
Download BYOV Application (for drop off or mail). Before submitting, please contact Fringe Producer Bridget MacIntosh to discuss your proposal to ensure that it meets safety and geographic requirements.
If you have any questions regarding our policies or the application form, please contact the Fringe at (416) 966-1062, fax (416) 966-5072 or by e-mail at performer@fringetoronto.com
The Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival
344 Bloor Street West, Suite 208
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 3A7
Phone: (416) 966-1062
Toll Free: 1-866-515-7799
Fax: (416) 966-5072