DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 20th at 11:59pm Atlantic

 

Now in its third year- this groundbreaking and unparalleled initiative provides financial support, production mentorship, and so much more to emerging artists (regardless of age, background, or level of training/ experience) who wish to present Their first show at the 2025 Halifax Fringe Festival!

 

The Fringe is wonderful but can be A LOT to navigate. We believe it is our responsibility to uplift and welcome new artists into our theatre community, and what better way than through Fringeship?

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To apply you can fill out the form (please contact us by DM or email to “unnaturaldisastertheatre@gmail.com” if you could benefit from accessibility support or if you encounter any barriers to completing the form)! We are happy to schedule a casual video call with you to go through the form questions if that is more comfortable for you than filling it out- just reach out!

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FAQ

 

WHO CAN APPLY?

This program is open to ANYONE who considers themselves to be an ‘emerging/early career artist’ who has never produced their own show at the Halifax Fringe before. We will be prioritizing artists from Nova Scotia, but will gladly accept applications from anywhere in Canada!You can apply as an individual, a duo, or as a collective of any size! Feel free to dream big!We welcome submissions from artists of all genders, ethnicities, abilities and identities, and are especially interested in offering support to those who self-identify as IBPOC, LGBT@2S+, d/Deaf, living with disabilities, and/or facing other systemic challenges in our industry.

 

WHAT KIND OF PROJECT CAN I APPLY WITH?

We are accepting applications for theatrical experiences of any genre and style! It can be an original puppet performance, a new musical version of Uncle Vanya, or a 10 minute dance show about earthworms! The only limit is your imagination (and that it must be 70 minutes or less as per Fringe guidelines)."As a collective, The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Co. is particularly interested in producing environmentally sustainable immersive and site specific theatre that explores social justice and stories about the natural world! We also love puppetry and music. With all that being said- we are open to ANY project for this program and are excited about the potential challenge of helping to bring unconventional theatre to life!"

 

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?

The selected artist(s) will receive:

 

•One on one virtual and/or in person production support from UDTCo. Artistic Director, Logan Robins, as well as guidance through the whole Fringe process! This may include (but is not limited to) guidance for applying, budgeting, scheduling, casting, marketing, social media, sponsorship, accessibility, production management, venue support, box office management, and other administrative tasks! We want to help you make your show a resounding SUCCESS!

 

•As producers, we will advertise and actively promote your show on the UDTCo. website, instagram, and facebook!

 

•The Halifax Fringe Festival will waive your $50 Fringe application fee!OH NO! Have you already submitted for the 2025 Halifax Fringe but still want to be considered for this program? THAT’S TOTALLY COOL! Just fill out this form, let us know that you’ve already applied, and if selected Fringe will still reimburse the application fee you paid!

 

•NEW THIS YEAR we are quadrupling the financial support provided to the recipient(s) of the program! That’s right! That means the recipient(s) will receive a $1,000 honorarium in support for their project. These funds will be able to go towards venue fees, production costs, and paying artists involved in the project. Note: A percentage of this financial support will be reserved to donate the equivalent of 10% of your total box office profits to a local indigenous organization, on your behalf, as a part of UDTCo's Acknowledgement to Action Initiative.

 

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Fill out this form in whatever way feels best for you! There is no pressure to hit a certain word count. There are no magic answers! Just write from your heart and let us get to know you a little bit! All we are really seeking with applicants is that you be a passionate theatre maker who is excited and committed to producing your first Fringe show! It can be a lot of work to produce your own show- but also a lot of fun (and an amazing and valuable experience).

 

All you need to do, if accepted, is work with us to bring your project to life and acknowledge The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Co. and AD Logan Robins as a producer in printed/web media!Once accepted into this program we can discuss next steps. We strive to make this program bespoke to each applicant to best support you!

 

HALIFAX FRINGE INFO

Dates: August 27- September 07, 2025

 

"We've been presenting an accessible, un-juried, uncensored, arts festival annually for the last 33 years. Halifax Fringe Festival is 11 days, over 11 venues, over 55 days, preforming over 350 individual performances and 100% of the box office is returned to the artists."Fringe Festivals are un-juried.Fringe Festivals are uncensored.Fringe Festivals are accessible to audiences and artists.Fringe Festivals return 100% of the ticket price to participating artists.For complete information about the Halifax Fringe Festival you can visit the form for submissions HERE.

 

DISCLAIMER: Acceptance into the Unnatural Disaster Fringeship Production Program does NOT guarantee acceptance into the 2025 Halifax Fringe Festival. Productions are accepted through an equity lottery system so we cannot guarantee your production will be chosen. We will still cover your application fee (with support from Halifax Fringe) regardless of the projects success in getting into the Fringe!

 

SUPPORT UNNATURAL DISASTER

If you are interested in supporting us in our mission to support emerging artists- we are happy to accept e-transfers to unnaturaldisastertheatre@gmail.com. All of the funds raised will go directly to supporting our work to continue creating radically accessible and immersive theatre while supporting emerging artists! Please also feel free to send us an email if you have questions or wish to support us in other ways! We'll see you at the Fringe!

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PAST FRINGESHIP RECIPIENTS

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The 2023 Unnatural Disaster Fringeship Production Project was "The America Show!" by Jessie Walker. Photo by Stoo Metz.

 

-This production was later remounted for a successful independent production in July 2024.

 

 

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The 2024 Unnatural Disaster Fringeship Production Project was Something Missing by Lawson Hannaford. Photo by Stoo Metz.

 

-This production won the fringe audience choice award for: outstanding drama, outstanding dramedy, outstanding lead actor for Nancy Kenny, Best of Venue for Imperial Studio, and outstanding projections.

 

-Something Missing is being further produced by UDTCo. for a tour of NS in Spring 2025!