FRINGE U(niversity)
In conversations and townhall chats with a diverse selection of artists during this pandemic, it became abundantly clear that indie artists have little to no training on how to be their own producers. Out of that need, the concept of FRINGE U(niversity) was born.
FRINGE U is an experiential entrepreneurial program specially designed to give emerging artists and arts workers the tools they need to become their own boss — empowering them to take control of their own futures and to create more work opportunities for themselves in the arts that they love!
Ongoing issues with the pandemic has delayed the start of this program but we are looking forward to presenting this concept in a variety of formats for 2022:
Ask the Fringe Ed Coffee Chats
At Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar, Inglewood
The first Thursday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00pm, Michele Gallant, executive director and producer of the Calgary Fringe, and special guests are available for any artist to come and ask whatever burning questions they have on their mind. Open to whoever shows up. Nothing is off limits!
Next coffee chat date: Thursday, June 2, 2022
Calgary Fringe Festival Artist PD Workshops
Each month, our Fringe Festival artists are led and mentored in the art of self-producing, Fringe style! We tackle a variety of topics based on the particular needs of this group — such topics include budgeting/financing, planning a touring schedule, dramaturgy for scripts, how to prep your live show for live stream broadcast, developing your Marketing Playbook and Self-Promotion schedule, preparatory work before the first tech rehearsal (discussing venue specs, how to create a cue call sheet for the venue techs, when it’s advised to bring a Stage Manager on board, etc.), Fringe Street Promo Like a Boss workshop (the art of flyering patrons in lineups and 30 sec elevator pitch of your show) … just to name a few!
These monthly workshops are held via Zoom for the first few months, then switching over to a mixture of Zoom and in-person workshops in July and August 2022.
Shadow the Fringe Ed Arts Admin Program
Want to get more of a hands-on experience of being a director/producer/arts administrator for an arts organization? Now’s your chance!
Work elbow to elbow alongside Calgary Fringe executive director and producer Michele Gallant on everything to do with the summer Fringe Festival – learning about budgets and financing; thinking outside the box to come up with creative solutions to stay within the budget while delivering on a high quality product; marketing and promotion activities, both traditional and ‘grassroots’ style; time management and figuring out production schedules, etc.
Successful applicants also get the opportunity to hang out and chat with the Fringe artists, learning from them as well.
For more information and to apply visit forms.google.
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Junior Tech Mentorship Program
Open for high school/first year university students aged 16 years and up interested in working behind the scenes as a theatre venue technician. Successful applicants work alongside seasoned Fringe technicians and our Technical Director, Thomas Hall, during our summer Fringe Festival in venue set up, tech rehearsals, running/tech’ing a show, and venue strike.
For more information and to apply visit forms.goole/.
Deadline: May 31, 2022.
Artists’ Self-producer Workshop Intensive
Deep dive weekend into finding your why, followed by five weeks of twice-weekly how to be your own self-producer classes and pod work with guided mentorship and support from the Calgary Fringe executive director and producer and special guest teachers.
This workshop intensive will take place mid-September to end of October 2022.
Applications open online July 1, 2022.
FRINGE U graduates from the workshop intensive practice what they’ve learned, with guided mentorship and support from the Calgary Fringe executive director and producer, and in March 2023, they have the option of performing in our FRINGE U Showcase Weekend or deferring to perform in the 2023 summer Fringe Festival.
