London Fringe Theatre Festival

May 26 - June 6, 2020

Policies and General Information

The 21st  London Fringe will run from May 26 - June 6, 2020. In 2019 we returned $135,000.00 to artists. We are a mid-sized Fringe in a very friendly community and for our out of town participants we do have amazing billets!

Please read all of this information carefully - there are some changes for 2020. We've added a new Dance category, we now have new/different time slot categories, and we've adjusted the payout amounts from on line ticket sales, so please check and read carefully.  

If you are a performer wanting to participate in the Montreal Fringe we are able to adjust your schedule to accommodate so that you can participate in both the London Fringe and Montreal Festivals. We must limit the number of companies that will be leaving London early to participate in Montreal Fringe to 4 companies. If you are accepted into the Montreal Fringe late (eg from their waiting list) we may not be able to accommodate an early departure. Please make sure you stay in touch with the office if you are planning to enter the Montreal Fringe.

Please read this information carefully. It is your agreement with the London Fringe Theatre Festival and we will abide by the terms outlined.

PARTICIPATION:

Applications in the Ontario, National, and International categories are accepted by lottery to the London Fringe Festival.  Applications must be received by midnight EST Monday, October 21, 2019 to be eligible for the lottery.  The lottery will be conducted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at the London Fringe office.  The London Fringe will notify you if you have been drawn in the lottery and your application fee will be processed immediately.

We have category quotas for applications: The London Lottery draw will have 20 Ontario spots (includes London); 6 National spots; and 6 International spots. Once the category quotas are filled through the draw, 7 applicants from each category will be placed on a waiting list.  Should any company withdraw from the Festival the next company on the waiting list will be contacted to fill the space.

Important: we are holding 10 spaces for the CAFF Touring Lottery process. Depending on the results of that lottery we may have additional spaces available. We will pull from the wait list if there are spaces not filled by the CAFF Lottery.

*NEW* Dance Category: we have added a Dance category and will draw up to a maximum of 4 companies in this category. If you are a Dance company you can only enter in this category. Applicants in this category will be placed in the regular lottery draw and once 4 Dance companies have been drawn that category will be considered full. It is possible, depending on the lottery, that we may have fewer than 4 Dance companies in the Fringe.

*NEW* 75 Minute Category: If your show runs longer than 60 minutes and up to 75 minutes (not over 75 minutes), this is your category.

Plan to participate in the full 12 days of the Fringe. Performance times are between 5:00pm and 10:00pm weekdays and between 1:00pm and 10:00pm weekends. Each company will be scheduled for 6 performance times between those hours. Note: due to the number of companies, the Fringe will not guarantee that we can accommodate special requests regarding performance dates/times.

Applications are accepted until Friday, October 21, 2019 at midnight EST by online submission only and must include your non-refundable application fee.

The application form must be completed in full and the following fees apply:

• 60 Minute Show, $750.00 + $30.00 non refundable application fee
• 75 Minute Show, $825.00 + $30.00 non refundable application fee
• 90 Minute Show, $900.00 + $30.00 non refundable application fee

 

APPLICATIONS AND PRIMARY CONTACT:

·        We will accept only one application per person/company name.

·        Primary and alternate contacts may be involved in only one production.

·        Fringe correspondence will only be sent to the primary contact. 

·        Only the primary contact is authorized to submit or make changes to company information.   

As primary contact it is your responsibility to:

·        Share information with the rest of your company.

·        Stay up to date on all Festival information.

·        Ensure timely submission of all requested materials. 

·        Acquire all applicable permits and for the payment of all applicable taxes and fees relating to your production in the London Fringe.

Please add producer@londonfringe.ca and info@londonfringe.ca to your email contacts to ensure that they are not caught in any spam filters.

While other performers and crew may choose to be involved in more than one production, they will be responsible for ensuring that no scheduling conflicts prevent or interfere with any of your performances. The Fringe will not adjust any scheduling to accommodate performers appearing in more than one production. Double casting is strongly discouraged.

 

COPY AND PRODUCTION RIGHTS:

 

The London Fringe Theatre Festival will not knowingly produce a show without the permission of its originator(s). You are obliged to obtain written permission from the playwright/author/originator and pay any fees required for the production rights. As well, you are expected to obtain the necessary releases or pay appropriate fees to any professional associations to which you belong. Failure to do so could result in disqualification without refund or written notice.  Cancellation of your show due to lack of permission(s) or rights to your show will result in forfeiture of your entire application fee.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

The London Fringe considers International applicants those who reside outside of Canada. These applications must include an international mailing address and confirmed residency from outside of Canada. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding your eligibility in this category.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you acquire the necessary visa(s), work permit(s) and/or waiver(s). If successful in the London Fringe lottery, the Fringe Producer will forward International participants the appropriate information and any necesaary forms.

SHOW LENGTH AND SCHEDULE:

There are a limited number 90-minute spaces (3 in total) and a limit of 5 - 75 minute spaces. Applicants for these categories will be accepted on a first-draw basis, based on the lottery process. If you select either of these categories (75 or 90 minutes), you must be prepared to present a performance that runs for a minimum of 80 minutes (not less) and a maximum of 90 minutes for the 90 minute slot; anything over 60 minutes must enter the 75 minute slot (you cannot run longer than 75 minutes). You must also participate in the full 12 day run of the Festival.

If you are interested in the 90 minute or 75 minute category, please indicate this as your first preference on the Application form. Once these spaces are filled we will be assigning all applicants to the 60 minute spaces (your second preference). Indicating a 90 minute or 75 minute time preference does not guarantee that you will be given that space.

The majority of spaces are 60-minutes. You cannot exceed 60 minutes but your show can be shorter. If you are NOT interested in the 75 or 90 minute time space, please indicate 60 minutes as your first choice on the application form. 

Once submitted, you may not add to your running time.

Your show should be production-ready with simple technical and production requirements. There are no limits on artistic content. Each company will be scheduled for 6 performances and we require that the company abide by the schedule. Please plan to commit to the full run of the Fringe from May 26 - June 6, 2020. The Performer Showcase is Tuesday, May 26 and performances will start on May 27. You will have a maximum three hour tech rehearsal scheduled between May 24 - 28, 2020. All companies will have a variety of performance times between 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Monday to Friday; and from 1:00pm to 10:00pm on weekends.

VENUES:

 Our venues are unique in staging and seating capacity, ranging in size from 65 – 350 seats. You will be provided with site specifications and other details at a later date. Venues are assigned based on your technical requirements. The Tech form will be sent at a later date.

Each venue will have basic lighting and sound and there will be an experienced technician for each venue. You will have a maximum 3-hour technical rehearsal time. If needed, you are expected to provide a Production or Stage Manager and the crew to set and strike. During the Festival, each company is given 15 minutes for set up, and 10 minutes for strike. The audience is seated during the five minutes prior to show time.

TICKETS AND REVENUE:

 Please read the following information carefully - 

**NEW** Participating companies/artists receive $12.00 for each on-line or at the door ticket sale. The Fringe will add $3.00 ticket charges to each ticket sold which means patrons will pay $15.00 for tickets. All shows will reflect a $15.00 ticket price. 

We have a variety of multi-ticket passes for sale. You will receive $10.00 for each ticket used from a multi-ticket pass for admittance to your show. There are a limited number of these passes and they encourage patrons to see more shows.

The London Fringe offers on-line, advance ticket sales. We do NOT hold any tickets back for at the door sales and all advance tickets are the same price. You will receive $12.00 for each advance ticket sold. 100% of your tickets will be available in advance. 

The London Fringe will pay out all cash sales immediately after each performance. Any multi-ticket and advance ticket sales are paid out by company cheque at the end of the Festival. Detailed information about Performer Payout processes will be sent at a later date.

The Fringe will provide house management, ticketing and box office services. 

 

Participation FEES:  (in Canadian Dollars)

Lottery Application Fee (payable immediately):

·        $30.00 non-refundable fee due upon receipt of application.

Fringe Participation Fee (payable only if you are successful in the draw):     

• $750.00 for a 60 minute show*
• $825.00 for a 75 minute show*
• $900.00 for a 90 minute show*

*If you are successful in the lottery, you will be contacted by email to confirm the spot and your Participation Fee will be due immediately.  See below for more information.

The Lottery Application fee ($30.00) must be submitted along with your completed application.  Any applications received without payment will not be included in the Fringe lottery.

 

 ACCEPTANCE AND CONFIRMATION:

 

Applicants will receive confirmation by email regarding their status. You will need to pay your fees for the 60, 75, or 90 minute slot either on line, over the phone with credit card, or in person at the office immediately upon notification of acceptance into the Festival. 

Once the category quotas are filled, applicants will be placed on a waiting list.  You will receive notification of your status. Participation Fees for applicants placed on the waiting list are not charged full fees until there is an opening. Any company on the waiting list may withdraw at anytime.

REFUND POLICY:

The Primary Contact is the only individual who may withdraw from the Fringe. Any intent to withdraw must be made in writing by mail or email and is effective from the date the Fringe receives the written notice.

·  On November 15, 2019 through to midnight December 12, 2019 participants who withdraw will be refunded their full fees (less the $30.00 application fee); 

• From December 13, 2019 to January 20, 2020 (12:00pm midnight EST) participants who withdraw lose 50% of their paid fee.

     ·  On and after January 21, 2020 (12:01am EST) participants will forfeit their entire fee.

IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THE LOTTERY:

You keep 100% of the box office, less ticket service charges.

The Fringe provides: house management, ticketing, and box office volunteers.

The Fringe provides: your venue equipped with basic sound and lighting and one technician.

You will be included in all Fringe publicity: our program, on our website, and overall event publicity. A detailed questionnaire will be sent to you in early 2020.

Plan to have a wonderful time!

FINALLY:

 Submission of your application and fee means that you have read and agree to all of the details and rules outlined in this application. Please contact us if you have any questions or need clarification of these details. We recommend that you make a copy for your own records.

Applications are accepted through online submission, in person, by mail, and e-mail and must be accompanied by your non-refundable application fee ($30.00). Applications received without the application fee will NOT be included in the London Fringe lottery.

This Application Form must be completed in full and include payment of the $30.00 processing fee.  Before you submit your form, please follow the instructions to pay your processing fee online.

(If all 75 or 90 minutes spaces are full, you will automatically be assigned a 60 minute space. You will be responsible for ensuring that your show will run 60 minutes or less. The Fringe cannot guarantee your preference.) 

The London Fringe Theatre Festival reserves the right to remove any company from participation in the Fringe should the company members or an individual member engage in illegal activity; behave unprofessionally; or otherwise place the Festival itself at risk.

Force Majeur: While the London Fringe Theatre Festival will schedule 6 performance times for each company, if performances are delayed or interrupted by an act of God, fire, flood, war, public disaster, strikes or labour difficulties, governmental enactment, regulation or order, or any other cause beyond the control of the London Fringe Theatre Festival, the Festival shall not be liable for any lost revenues or performance times.

Click HERE to pay your processing fee.  You will be taken to a new window to complete payment (use the drop down link to select London Fringe Application Fees, amount will be $30.00). You will receive email confirmation when your payment is successful.  Keep this window open in order to return back to complete and submit your application.  Any application received without fee payment will not be included in the 2020 London Fringe Lottery.