Calls for Artists: Fringe

What it is: Sponsored by the Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts, this is a contest for composers/playwrights that guarantees the winner a free spot in the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival, as well as provides a bursary of $3,500.

Who it’s for: Permanent residents of Canada who have written a new musical that has not been previously produced.

Applications Closed: October 15, 2019 at noon.

Cost to apply: $35 reading fee.

Terms & Conditions:
1. Open to all playwrights/composers who are permanent residents of Canada.
2. All entries must be original, unproduced musicals. Musicals that have been workshopped are eligible.
3. All Musicals must have a performance time of 90 minutes or less.
4. Playwrights/Composers who enter the contest may also enter the Fringe lottery.
5. If successful, the winner must produce the musical that was submitted to the contest in the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival. It is understood that the musical will be subject to revisions/dramaturgical changes in the usual course of continued development.
6. The winning production will also be required to recognize the Toronto Fringe on all their marketing materials (program, posters, brochures, press release, website, etc). Specific details of this recognition to follow.
7. The winner will be announced at the Fringe Lottery Party in December 2019.

Application Materials:
1. Complete script with tracks - please include all links in the body of your script. As the jury process is anonymous, please ensure that the author's name is not on the script.
2. Proof of rights.
3. Estimated running time.
4. Production history (150 word limit) & writer bios (only Fringe staff see this page, not the jury).
5. $35 entry fee including HST, paid by credit card through the online application form. (*Non-Sufficient Funds: If fee is returned the applicant will be informed and have 24 hours to pay the $35 as well as any service fees incurred.)
6. Brief statement about your producing experience and how you would apply that to a production of this piece at the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival. (For staff use only – not visible to jury.)

How to Apply: Applications are now closed. Please try again next year.

The Toronto Fringe is committed to equality, diversity, and prioritizing accessibility. We warmly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities, 2SLGBTQ+ identified persons as well as Deaf, Mad and disability-identified persons. If you require any accommodations please do not hesitate to contact Jules Vodarek Hunter at intern@fringetoronto.com or 416-966-1062 ext. 227

Past winners include: "The Break-Up Diet" by Tamara Williamson (2019), "The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel" by Kevin Wong and Julie Tepperman (2018), "Seeking Refuge" by Rick Jones (2017), "Life After" by Britta Johnson (2016). Previously called the Paul O’Sullivan Prize.

What it is: This is a contest for playwrights that guarantees the winner a free spot in the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival, as well as a bursary for first, second, and third place. The 2020 New Play Contest is sponsored by the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation.

Who it’s for: Anyone with a new play that has not been previously produced.

Applications Closed: October 15, 2019 at noon.

Cost to apply: $35 reading fee.

Terms & Conditions:
1. Open to all playwrights/writers who are permanent residents of Canada.
2. More than one entry per playwright is permitted.
3. All entries must be original, unproduced plays. Plays that have been workshopped are eligible.
4. Plays must be submitted in English.
5. The playwright may have received funding to create or workshop this play.
6. All plays must have a performance time of 90 minutes or less.
7. Playwrights who enter the New Play Contest may also enter the Fringe lottery.
8. If selected, the winner must produce the play that was submitted to the New Play Contest for the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival. It is understood that the play will be subject to revisions/dramaturgical changes in the usual course of continued development.
9. The winning production will also be required to recognize the Toronto Fringe on all their marketing materials (program, posters, brochures, press release, website, etc). Specific details of this recognition to follow.
10. The winner must provide a short post-festival report on the contest, production, and festival experience.
11. The winning plays will be announced at the 2020 Fringe Festival Lottery Party in December 2019.

Application Materials:
1. Completed script with all pages numbered. As the jury process is anonymous, please ensure that the author's name is not on the script.
2. $35 entry fee including HST, paid by credit card through the online application form. (*Non-Sufficient Funds: If fee is returned the applicant will be informed and have 24 hours to pay the $35 as well as any service fees incurred)
3. Brief statement about your producing experience and how you would apply that to a production of this piece at the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival. (For staff use only – not visible to jury.)

How to apply: Applications are now closed. Please try again next year.

The Toronto Fringe is committed to equality, diversity, and prioritizing accessibility. We warmly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities, 2SLGBTQ+ identified persons as well as Deaf, Mad and disability-identified persons. If you require any accommodations please do not hesitate to contact Jules Vodarek Hunter at intern@fringetoronto.com or 416-966-1062 ext. 227

Past winners include:  “Checkpoint 300” by Michelle Wise (2019), “Women of the Fur Trade” by Frances Koncan (2018), “The Seat Next to the King,” by Steven Jackson (2017), “Cam Baby,” by Jessica Moss (2016), “Rukmini’s Gold,” by Radha Menon (2015), “Potosi,” by Alexander Offord (2014), ”The Oak Room” by Peter Genoway (2013), “Help Yourself” by Kat Sandler (2012), “Kim’s Convenience” by Ins Choi (2011), “Short Story Long”  by joel fishbane (2010), “A Singularity of Being” by T. Berto (2009), “Wake” by Rachel Blair (2008), “Expiry Dating” by Alison Broverman (2007), “Love Songs from Unlikely Places” by David Egan (2006), “Bella Donna” by David Copelin (2005), “Stealing Freedom” by Stephanie Nickerson (2004), “That Boy” by Paul Gibson (2003) and “Fish/Wife” by Rick Roberts (2002).

What it is: This contest challenges writers to create a new play in 24 hours starting at 5pm on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Mark your calendars! NEW THIS YEAR, the winner receives:

• A cash prize.
• A staged reading with a professional director and actors that will happen during the 2020 Next Stage Theatre Festival
• The winning play will be offered a free, 7-performance production slot in 2020 Toronto Fringe, much like the New Play Contest. (Note: The Toronto Fringe will not be responsible for the production in Fringe 2020 – the winning playwright will become the producer of the show. Accepting the slot in the 2020 Fringe Festival is not mandatory.)

Who it’s for: Writers of all ages and experience levels.

Applications closed: October 15, 2019 at noon.

Cost to apply: $35 reading fee.

Terms & Conditions:
• Everyone is welcome to participate (except contest jurors).
• One entry per person is permitted.
• Plays are to be written by a single playwright, excluding partnerships or collectives.
• Musicals and dance pieces are not accepted.
• All plays must have a reading time of no more than 60 min and no less than 30 minutes.
• As all plays are judged blindly by the jury, the playwright’s name must not be written anywhere on the document. 
• All scripts must include page numbers and formatted to be readable.
• The winner will be contacted by November 29 2019.

How it Works:
• On Saturday, October 19th at 5 pm, registered participants will receive 4 secret elements that will be the basis for this year’s contest.
• Participants have 24 hours to write a new play making sure to incorporate all 4 elements. Once the 24 hours are up, participants submit their script for adjudication.
• A team of jurors will read the scripts and vote on the winner.
• NEW THIS YEAR: A director will be appointed by the Toronto Fringe to direct the staged reading of the winning script during The 2020 Next Stage Theatre Festival. The director will hire actors and conduct rehearsals leading up to the big day.
NEW THIS YEAR: The winning playwright will also be offered a free, 7-performance slot at the 2020 Toronto Fringe Festival. If the playwright chooses to accept it, they will become the primary contact for this festival production. The show produced at Fringe can be developed and workshopped after the reading at Next Stage, but must stem from the original script.

How to Apply:  Applications are now closed. Please try again next year.

The Toronto Fringe is committed to equality, diversity, and prioritizing accessibility. We warmly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities, 2SLGBTQ+ identified persons as well as Deaf, Mad and disability-identified persons. If you require any accommodations please do not hesitate to contact Jules Vodarek Hunter at intern@fringetoronto.com or 416-966-1062 ext. 227