Toronto Fringe Festival Applications Due November 15, 2010

In Toronto, the two large theatre festivals that take place in the summertime are the Fringe Festival and Summerworks. Of the two, Summerworks is a juried festival and takes place in early August (their applications are due January 3, 2011). The Fringe Festival takes place earlier in July and is non-juried. Instead of the usual application process, they hold a lottery to decide who gets to mount a show. This makes it much easier for emerging writers and directors to mount a production.

The resulting quality of the productions can be quite varied as a result, but people can be more bold and daring. Shows are often performed in unusual locations. And when they work, they really work. They can often grow to become substantial hits such as The Drowsy Chaperone, which went on to become a Broadway hit.

To apply for the lottery, go to the Toronto Fringe website. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2010 at 5:00pm.

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Call for Submissions: Toronto Fringe Festival Applications Due November 15, 2010, Toronto Fringe Festival

November 8, 2010 — TAPA The Toronto Fringe Festival is the city’s number one resource for artists from all walks to challenge their skills, explore fresh ideas, and showcase exciting works.  The Toronto Fringe is a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe ® Festivals (CAFF) and, as such, our summer festival operates under the four guiding principles of CAFF:

• Participants are selected on a non-juried basis, through a lottery or first-come/first-served process.
• 100% of the ticket price is returned to the artist.
• Fringe Festival producers have no control over the artistic content of any show.
• Festivals must provide an easily accessible opportunity for all audiences and all artists to participate.
• The Toronto Fringe routinely sees ticket sales of over 55,000 and returns $400-450,000 to artists annually. Since 1989, we have returned over $5,000,000 to our participants.

To help participants, the festival provides a series of workshops that give artists and companies the tools they need to make their show a success. The Fringe also provides development opportunities through The Fringe Evolution Fund, various community initiatives and Next Stage Theatre Festival (more info on our website).

Companies that are selected to participate in the Fringe Festival are provided with the following: scheduling of performances (seven or eight performances at a variety of times) in a venue equipped with lights and sound, a technician to assist in the running of your show, full professional front of house service, including box office and support staff, festival publicity, 100% of the ticket revenue generated by the company, all in an environment that facilitates an independent creative process.

The Fringe Lottery reserves spots for general applications, dance applications and FringeKids shows. Also, replacing the contentious BYOVs, we are now accepting applications to the Site Specific Art category.

To apply to the 2011 Toronto Fringe Lottery, log on to fringetoronto.com.

The deadline for applications is November 15, 2010 at 5:00pm.
The Festival will run from July 6 – July 17, 2011.