View this email in your browser

In this newsletter:

Announcing 2023 24-Hour Playwriting Contest Winner
Snowy Spring Toque Sale
2024 Next Stage Applications EXTENDED
Our Festival Programs: Kidsfest Day Camp, Teen Fringe, New Young Reviewers, TENT
In the Community

We are oh so close to Spring, which means we're one season closer to the Fringe Festival, folks! We have lots of announcements and updates to share this week, and be sure to check out our In the Community section - so much great stuff happening in the city right now.

2023 24-Hour Playwriting Contest Winner

Announcing the Winner 2023 Toronto Fringe 24-Hour Playwriting Contest: Waiting for Her by Brynn Cutcliffe. Congratulations to Brynn, who will receive a bursary and the opportunity to consult with a director or dramaturg, thanks to the generosity of The Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts 💜💜💜!

In second place is A Monster by Ronit Rubinstein, and third place is What Ever Happened to Geraldine by Araceli Ferrara. The Selection Committee also wished to give honourable mention to the submissions below. We received over 100 submissions to this year’s contest, and the selection committee was deeply impressed and grateful for the artistry and passion demonstrated by all who participated.

We hope everyone had a good time while writing fast! Big thanks to our Selection Committee, Barbara Fingerote (every theatre ever), Nathaniel Hanula-James (Nightswimming), Morgan Norwich (SummerWorks), Victor Pokinko (Bad Hats Theatre/Bad News Days), Ganesh Thavarajah (writer, actor, producer), and Carly Chamberlain (Toronto Fringe), for their time and care with all the submissions.

Honorable Mention

The Big Game – R/B Mertz

Blubes - Hannah Joubert

Cost of Living - Lisa Aikman

New Math - Brendon Allen

Second Arrow - Polly Phokeev

Sweepers - Tiyawnda McGregor

In classic Toronto fashion, Spring is a week away and snow is on the ground! We feel like embracing the season with a 25% off SALE for one of our most popular merch items, the TO Fringe Toque.

Update your wardrobe and support the Fringe by sporting a toque in black, sunset gold, or neon pink – or alternate between all three like many of us do. On sale for $20 until March 31st. Click here to get your toques on!

2024 Next Stage Applications EXTENDED

EXTENDED! We’ve had some requests for a bit more time, so we are pleased to announce that we will continue to accept 2024 Next Stage Theatre Festival applications until Sunday, March 19 at 11:59PM.

Do you have a show that’s ready to take flight? Applications are OPEN NOW for the 2024 Next Stage Theatre Festival, happening in October 2024, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

Next Stage is a curated festival of independent theatre and performance in Toronto. We offer experienced indie producers a platform to showcase creators, writers, directors, and performers - the vital new artists in performing arts. Click here to learn more and apply!

KidsFest Day Camp, Teen Fringe, and
the New Young Reviewers Program

Just a FEW spots left for our KidsFest Day Camp happening this July 2023. Be sure to sign-up soon to get your spot! We will hold a wailist once the final spots are filled.

The KidsFest Day Camp will give kids ages 4-11 the chance to be immersed in the world of theatre. Trained staff will lead kids in creative performance-based fun, including improvisation, storytelling, and drama games. All campers will also get to participate in workshops run at the KidsFest Club, and see all four KidsFest shows during the Toronto Fringe Festival for free.

To learn more and register your young theatre-maker, click here.

We are also still accepting applications to our Teen Fringe program, and our New Young Reviewers program until March 31st. Teen Fringe is FREE a 5-day program for teens to experience professional training in acting, singing, and dancing, and also attend Fringe shows. This program, led by frequent Fringers Edge of The Sky, is made possible through the generosity of Neville Austin.

The New Young Reviewers Program is a FREE workshop series and writing group for emerging writers aged 15 and up. This program focuses on introducing participants to the basics of theatre reviewing and help them develop responses to Toronto Fringe performances. It also encourages participants to explore new, creative approaches to criticism that are emerging in the field, and to begin to define themselves as critics and reviewers. New Young Reviewers is made possible through the generosity of the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund. Jon Kaplan was a great champion of the Fringe and of all artists in Toronto, and we are honoured to be supported by his fund.

Tanya Rintoul stands at the head of a table speaking to a group of seated people. The backs of their heads are showing as they watch Tanya lead a workshop. There are drinks on the table, and in the background is a brownish-green curtain.

Last week, The TENT (Theatre Entrepreneurs Network and Training) Program - our program for artist-producers to build their skills and community, led by Program Director Tanya Rintoul, hosted our first in a series of TENT Alumni events. Thank you to Soulpepper for lending us the space! Applications for the 2023 TENT Program will be opening in the coming weeks - stay tuned.

Other opportunities to participate in
the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival

Are you a freelancer in production? Join The Toronto Fringe Festival's Production Freelancer Board to make yourself available to work on upcoming Fringe shows. Participants will check listings from this board to find members for their teams, so it's a great way to get Fringing. Register for the board here.

We are also still accepting inquiries to our Homestay Program. If you or someone you know might be interested in opening your home to a touring Fringe artist, click here to learn more. It is a one-of-a-kind way to support indie arts and the festival!

In the Community

Rubble at Theatre Passe Murraile

Beginning with Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s viral poem, Running Orders, Rubble by Suvendrini Lena takes us to an abandoned theatre, where a poet recites from the celebrated poetry of Mahmoud Darwish (as translated by Fady Joudah) and asks the both timeless and urgent question: What is the meaning of poetry amidst a state of siege? What is our responsibility as we read, write, hear, and witness the survival of the human spirit in poetry?
Rubble by Suvendrini Lena | A TPM and Aluna Theatre Co-Production
February 25 - March 18, 2023 at TPM Mainspace Theatre
Buy Tickets: https://www.passemuraille.ca/22-23-season/rubble

Want to Fringe out West?

Our friends at Intrepid Theatre who run the Victoria Fringe Festival are accepting applications for their lottery now! Get all the details here.

Body So Fluorescent

amadonnanera, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and b current production

by Amanda Cordner + David di Giovanni

What happened last night on the dance floor? Two friends retrace their steps from the night before to figure out how it all ended in an explosive fight, shifting from self to alter-ego in the effort to untangle the facts. Body So Fluorescent is an electrifying solo performance that asks difficult questions about Blackness, otherness, and appropriation. Following a national tour, critical acclaim, and a short film adaptation, co-creators Amanda Cordner and David di Giovanni reimagine their hit show for the Buddies stage. April 13 - 23, 2023 - Tickets: $10 / $25 / $40 / $70

Do you have a production or community event that Fringers might be interested in? Contact Carly at carly@fringetoronto.com to learn more about being included in our In the Community section.

Looking forward to connecting again soon. As always if you want to chat with us, feel free to reach out.

The TO Fringe Team

Copyright © The Toronto Fringe Festival, 2023 All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
100 Broadview Avenue, Suite 322
Toronto, ON
M4M 3H3

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list