information for performers

why apply to Fringe TheatreFest?

Fringe TheatreFest provides an affordable context in which to develop new work, to give further life to existing productions and to introduce a company to North Devon audiences, to local and regional promoters and, where appropriate, to schools and colleges. But primarily Fringe Theatrefest is a meeting place to forge new relationships and to be inspired by a host of interesting productions as well as to inspire others with what you have to offer.

You may want to look at the archive

Fringe TheatreFest structure

  • Fringe TheatreFest has two strands: Regular Venues and Alternative Spaces.

    For 2024, there are eight Regular Venues each of which will accommodate five companies. These eight venues are equipped with lights and sound, a technician to operate and box-office and Front of House volunteers.

    Alternative Spaces are less formal. We encourage companies to find their own special spaces that will work well for their show, but we are happy to advise and we have a relationship with a number of venues that have proved viable in the past. The Festival does not provide technical equipment or an operator but does provide Front of House or Street Stewards, depending on the nature of the space.

  • Fringe TheatreFest is not juried or curated - companies are picked from a hat for Regular Venues and accepted in order of application for Alternative Spaces.

  • 12 Regular Venue slots are set aside for North Devon companies, with 28 slots open to UK and International companies.

  • 20 slots are available for Alternative Spaces.

  • One application per company can be made for Regular Venues but multiple applications can be made for Alternative Spaces.

  • Fringe TheatreFest timetables the programme and sets ticket prices for the Regular Venues. For 2024 these will be £8, £5 concessions, £4 if using a Frequent Fringer Voucher.

  • Payment at Alternative Spaces is by pay-what-you-will bucket collection after each performance.

  • 100% of the ticket revenue or pay-what-you-will income is returned to the companies.

  • In Regular Venues, companies are offered a 3-performance slot. Companies must be able to commit to three performance days. Shows in Regular Venues open on the Thursday or Friday.

  • Companies performing in Alternative Spaces are welcome to perform as many or as few times as they wish, so long as we have the capacity to steward the events adequately.

  • Regular Venue companies will pay a £100 participation fee, £65 of which will be refunded so long as they fulfil their performance commitments.

  • Alternative Space companies will pay a £100 participation fee which will be refunded in full so long as they fulfil their performance commitments.

  • A large group of experienced volunteers provide box-office and stewarding. There is a technician to operate lights and sound for shows in Regular Venues but not in Alternative Spaces.

  • Fringe TheatreFest markets and publicises the event as an entity. Companies market and publicise their own shows.

  • Companies must have their own Public Liability Insurance.

  • We do our best to find free billets for companies from outside North Devon if so required but, given the knock-on from the pandemic, we are now finding this more difficult to achieve. In return for being billeted, company members are required to help out with four hours of volunteer duties that support Fringe TheatreFest.

how to apply to Fringe TheatreFest

questions?

You are more than welcome to contact us with specific questions.

"We saw some fab shows as well as making great connections with new audiences and promoters whilst at Fringe TheatreFest - may it go on from strength to strength!"