Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival

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About

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is a 12-day alternative theatre festival held annually in July in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Established in 1988 by the Manitoba Theatre Centre (MTC), it is one of the largest independent fringe festivals in North America. The festival follows three key principles:

• Non-juried festival – any artist can apply and be selected through a lottery.

• Freedom of artistic expression – artists have complete control over their work.

• 100% of box office revenue goes to artists – artists pay a flat registration fee but keep all ticket sales.

Performances take place in venues across Winnipeg’s Exchange District, with the Old Market Square serving as the festival’s outdoor hub. The festival attracts local, national, and international artists, featuring theatre, comedy, dance, music, and experimental performances.

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Submission Requirements

1. Apply for the Performer Lottery

   • Applications open: October 22, 2024

   • Applications close: December 9, 2024

   • Lottery draw: December 12, 2024 (for indoor venue slots)

2. Confirm Participation

   • Performers selected in the lottery must confirm participation and pay fees.

   • BYOV applicants must secure their own venue before applying.

3. Key Deadlines

   • March 7, 2025: Tech forms due

   • March 21, 2025: Program copy forms due

   • March 31, 2025: Last day to withdraw for a 50% refund

   • April 1, 2025: $50 Program Copy Change Penalty begins

   • April 10, 2025: Program graphic deadline

   • Mid-May: Performance schedules released

4. Venue & Technical Details

   • Performances take place in festival-managed venues or BYOV locations.

   • Tech rehearsals are scheduled before the festival.

   • All venues use QLab for audio playback, with specific tech specs available per venue.

5. Marketing & Promotion

   • Artists are included in the official festival program and Winnipeg Fringe website.

   • Performers are responsible for flyers, posters, and media outreach.

   • The festival provides publicity resources, sample press releases, and logo assets.

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Finances

• Application & Registration Fees

  • Application fee: Free

  • Indoor venue performance fee: TBD, announced after the lottery

  • BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) fee: TBD

  • Program Copy Change Penalty: $50 (after April 1, 2025)

• Box Office Revenue

  • Artists set their own ticket prices and receive 100% of ticket sales.

  • The festival provides box office services for indoor venue performances.

  • Ticketing and artist comp policies will be released in early 2025.

• Additional Costs

  • Venue rental fees apply for BYOV performers.

  • Artists are responsible for their own marketing and promotional materials.

  • Travel, accommodations, and production costs are the artist’s responsibility.

  • The festival offers billeting for out-of-town performers, subject to availability.