How to apply

Sign up for a Backstage account and submit your application online. Submissions close April 19, 2013 at Midnight (EST).  Shows will be notified of venues’ decisions by May 17, 2013.

Please be sure to read through our FAQ page. Many questions can be answered there.

 

Who Can Participate In The Shows At The Fringe?

Any artistic project can potentially become a Fringe show, provided it is accepted by a venue. The Fringe encourages you, the artist, to become an independent producer. That means all Fringe participants stage, promote and reap the rewards of their own shows. That’s the beauty of Fringe festivals throughout the world: they offer participants a rare opportunity for collaboration, experience, learning, exposure and revenue.

What Kind Of Shows Are Typically Included In A Fringe?

Every Fringe is different. The one common denominator is the welcoming, diverse, all-in atmosphere. The Fringe is open to all: theatre, comedy, dance, music, visual art, musical theatre, children’s entertainment, performance art, cabaret, circus, physical theatre and more. Go ahead, surprise us!

Wanted:  Non-Traditional Venues

Non-traditional venues are one of the highlights of Fringe Festivals worldwide. Previous shows have even existed in empty swimming pools (Philly Fringe), elevators (Edinburgh Fringe), and even a phone booth (Edinburgh Fringe). If you have an idea for a non-traditional space for your performance that is within of walking distance of Gibbs Street, then please email byov@rochesterfringe.com. Please note: we will not accept any new traditional venues, theaters, concert halls etc. Applications for BYOV venues will be accepted through April 30, 2013.

Sounds Amazing. How Can I Participate?

To be accepted as a participant in the Fringe, you must complete the online submission form. During the submission process, you may apply to as many venues as you like with the one application form. You will receive responses directly from the venues themselves. Then, as a participant, you will negotiate directly with your desired venue. Like college, you must choose one venue to perform/exhibit in.

Rest assured that the Fringe provides guidelines to both venues and participants to ensure that the spirit and integrity of the Fringe are maintained. The Fringe does not dictate the programming of any venue, aside from Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

What are the steps for submitting my show?

  1. Set up an online profile at backstage.rochesterfringe.com
  2. Fill out the online application. Choose your venues. Click “send” and automatically send to all your chosen venues at once.
  3. Wait to hear back from venues.
  4. Agree a deal with an interested venue. (You can only choose one venue.)
  5. Once you have an agreed deal, log back into backstage.rochesterfringe.com and register your show.
  6. Pay your registration/marketing fee of $100 (single performance or non-ticketed show) or $150 (multiple performances).
  7. Submit your marketing details for the Guide and online schedule.
  8. Rehearse!
  9. Put on a show.

Ok, A Venue Has Accepted Me… Now What?

After you’ve found a venue and agreed on terms with that venue, you must provide the following:

My Venue Requires That I Get Insurance. How Do I Do That?

The Fringe has arranged a short-term deal for insurance with Domenick & Associates of Philadelphia for $105 for your entire Fringe run. Some venues may insure the shows themselves. Some shows may be covered by their own participating organizations and universities. But theatres tend to require insurance. Should you need insurance, then visit Domenick & Associates at www.domenick.com or email us at info@rochesterfringe.com

What Does The Registration/Marketing Fee Cover?

  • Inclusion in the Fringe Guide
  • A centralized box office with online, phone, and in-person ticket sales
  • Fringe 101 workshops
  • Participant support, including accommodations guidance, technical support, etc.
  • Promotion of the Fringe as a whole
  • Opportunity for exposure to entertainment industry promoters (promoters, producers & scouts frequently attend fringe festivals in search of new talent)

Can Participants Also Sell Tickets On Their Own?

No. All ticket sales will be processed through our box office.

How Much Will Tickets Cost And How Can I Purchase Them?

It will be up to the show and the venue; the Fringe recommends a top price of $16. Shows that charge $16 or less will be able to participate in various Fringe passes. Full ticketing details will be available at a later date.

When Will I Receive My Box Office Settlement?

Within eight weeks weeks of the Fringe’s closing night on September 28, 2013.

What About Advertising Opportunities?

The Fringe will offer advertising opportunities in both the Fringe Guide and online at http://rochesterfringe.com.

What About Out-Of-Town Participants?

This is another wonderful thing about fringe festivals: they have a way of generating enthusiastic participation from performers the world over. The First Niagara Rochester Fringe will be no different. All international performers and artists must arrange any necessary visas. The Fringe will supply a letter of invitation upon request. Please email info@rochesterfringe.com.

What Are The Requirements For Registered Venues?

Programming is up to the individual venue. Also, all details and contracts are negotiated between venues and participants; the Fringe is not involved in this part of the process beyond providing basic guidelines to ensure the spirit and integrity of the Fringe are maintained.

What Do You Mean By “The Spirit And Integrity Of The Fringe?”

Fringe shows typically run about 60 minutes and have at max a 15-minute load-in and 15-minute load-out. With all due respect to the art of the set, costumes, and props, the Fringe celebrates the performance itself above all. Keep it simple! A four-hour rendition of Nicholas Nickleby might be a fine show, but it’s really not Fringe-worthy.

How Is Programming Handled?

Venues determine their own programming. Venues may program from the artist submissions and/or select their own performers and/or artists. Once a show submits its application, it will then hear directly the venues it has chosen.

How Are Participants Paid*?

Registered venues are responsible for carrying out the terms of participant payment based on their individual agreements with artists. Some examples of terms include:

  • Guarantee: Set fee for performance; venue then keeps all ticket sales.
  • Box Office Split: For example, 70% of the box office to the participants and 30% to the venue.
  • First Call: For example, participant receives the first $1000; venue then receives the rest.
  • First Call, Second Call, Split: For example, participant receives the first $1000; venue receives the next $1000; participant and venue then split the rest, with 60% to participant.
  • 100% of box office to the participant and bar receipts to venue.
  • 100% of box office revenue to their resident artists in exchange for a fair rental rate.
  • Any other arrangements that are agreeable to both parties.

*The Fringe Festival collects 10% of all box office receipts to cover operation costs.

How Do I Register My Venue?

While we are extending the dates of the festival for 2013, we are not expanding beyond the original venues that participated in 2012.

Rochester Fringe Festival First Niagara