Howdy, Artists. We’re happy you’re here!
The 2027 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival will run August 12 – 22, 2027.
Artist Applications and NOW OPEN and close November 23, 2026. Find out all you need to know below!
PS. Are you an Outdoor Artist? Let’s get you where you need to go.
The Indoor Lottery Program
Fringe Theatre operates venues that provide in-kind support to an average of 75 indoor shows during Festival.
Shows are selected randomly through a lottery, allowing us to give as fair an opportunity to everyone as possible. Shows are then scheduled by Festival Staff. Selecting Artists by lottery is a long-standing practice across the Fringe circuit; there are always more Artists who apply to Fringe than we have space to accommodate.
Each Indoor Lottery show receives approximately $15,000 of in-kind support, including the cost of the venue rental, staging, lighting and sound equipment, Box Office supports, and two venue Technicians.
Artists may apply to the indoor lottery as a Local, National, or International Artist. Artists may specifically apply to the Theatre for Young Audiences category, as well. Every year, applications open in October and the lottery draws take place in November.
TIMELINE FOR THE 2027 EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL LOTTERY PROGRAM
- Applications Open: October 13
- Applications Close: November 23
- Lottery Draw: November 30
- Festival Fees Collected: November 30 – December 7
Ready to Apply?
Indoor Artist Lottery applications are open until November 23. To apply for the Indoor Lottery:
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2027 Lottery Artist Fees
| Fee | Amount | GST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (All Applications) | $45.00 | $2.25 | $47.25 |
| Indoor Artist Lottery Fee (Local, National, International) | $850.00 | $42.50 | $892.50 |
| Indoor Theatre for Young Audiences Lottery Fee | $700.00 | $35.00 | $735.00 |
| Outdoor Artist Lottery Fee | $700.00 | $35.00 | $735.00 |
If you’re waitlisted…
There’s still a chance!
If a spot opens in the Festival due to another show withdrawing, we’ll contact the next show on the Waitlist to fill the spot. If a waitlisted show is offered a Festival spot, they will have 5 business days to accept the spot by paying the Festival fee. If they decline the spot or do not pay the fee within that timeframe, we will reach out to the next show on the Waitlist. We will continue to fill any open Lottery spots until the week prior to the start of Festival.
Waitlist Artists will receive the same communication as Lottery and BYoV Artists to keep them up-to-date and in the loop. Artists can view their current spot on the Waitlist in Eventotron.
If you’re drawn for the lottery…
Congratulations!
You’re headed to the Edmonton Fringe Festival with $15,000 of in-kind support to aid your production!
Fringe will require payment of the Indoor Artist Lottery Fee within one week of the draw and will be in contact soon with all necessary forms, support services, resources for Lottery Artists and more.
Bring Your Own Venue Program (BYoV)
The BYoV Program is an Artist-driven initiative that allows Artists to produce a show at an approved venue that isn’t managed by Fringe Theatre.
BYoV Artists retain sole responsibility for all costs related to the production and promotion of their venue and performances. BYoV is a great alternative for Artists whose show is better suited in an alternative space or for those who did not receive an Indoor Lottery spot.
Venues participating in the BYoV Program must be approved by Fringe Theatre. Click here to see the list of pre-approved venues.
If you’re looking to use an unconventional space or have any questions about the BYoV program, please reach out to programming@fringetheatre.ca to discuss your proposal.
Stay tuned for more details in early 2027.
TIMELINE FOR THE 2027 EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL BYoV PROGRAM
- Applications Open: Early February
2027 Bring Your Own Venue (BYoV) Fees
| Fee | Amount | GST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (All Applications) | $45.00 | $2.25 | $47.25 |
| BYoV Festival Fee | $700.00 | $35.00 | $735.00 |
FAQs
Edmonton is home to the largest, longest running Fringe Festival in North America and one of the top five worldwide. Edmonton is also home to a vibrant year-round theatre arts community. We nurture engaged and discerning Audiences. Your show will be one of more than 200 productions available to Patrons over the 11 days of Festival. We encourage you to chat up Patrons on the Festival Grounds, appear at Fringe promotional events, and strategically use Artist comp and Pump Up the Volume tickets to help generate audience.
Our Festival is frequented by many a seasoned Fringer who chooses shows strategically based not only on reputation and reviews, but edge, creativity, and uniqueness. Each year, we also welcome new theatregoers who appreciate well-crafted, accessible shows.
Edmonton Patrons are loyal. Once you’ve recruited an Audience, you’ll find they are not only eager to follow you on your artistic journey for years to come, but they’ll also persuade their friends, too! With that in mind, make sure you include your social media handles on your promotional materials and engage with followers online.
Important Festival information, including all Artist forms, are found in Eventotron. Artist Updates are sent via email to the primary and secondary contacts listed in a show’s application.
Trouble accessing these emails? You may have unsubscribed by accident! Please e-mail: programming@fringetheatre.ca
Yes. We want to know as much as possible about your project from the very beginning! Don’t worry if your title isn’t finalized – you can change it later.
However, your lottery application is tied to the show you’re proposing. If you’re selected, you can’t swap your project for an entirely different production or transfer your spot to another Artist or company.
Yes, but only in certain combinations! Artists may apply to both the Indoor + Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Lotteries, or both the Indoor + Street Theatre Lotteries. You may not apply to the same steam twice.
Keep in mind that each Lottery category requires a separate application and applicable Application Fee.
Be prepared to pay your Lottery Fee as soon as you’re selected!
Immediately upon being drawn, successful applicants will receive a welcome email with a unique reference number and instructions for paying the remaining Lottery Fee to confirm their spot in Festival.
We recommend budgeting for this expense before applying so you’re ready to go if your name is drawn.
The deadline for payment is Monday, December 7.
Artist Updates Sign-Up
Want to stay in the know? Sign up for our Artist Update mailing list!
Contact Us
Questions? We have answers! Your Fringe Theatre team is here to support your Festival experience.
Murray Utas (he/him), Artistic Director, is here to support Festival Artists. Email him at any time at murray.utas@fringetheatre.ca