Thanks for your interest in The 2012 Berkshire Fringe!
Our 2012 Artist Application is currently closed.
Dear Fellow Artists,
Since 2005, Bazaar Productions and The Berkshire Fringe have created an exciting network of unique theater makers, choreographers, dancers and multi-media artists here in the Berkshires and beyond. Over the years, we have received thousands of applications via our open submission process and cultivated dynamic relationships with hundreds of performers from across the United States.
This past autumn, our artistic team traveled to Edinburgh, UK to visit the mother of all Fringe Festivals where we had an incredible opportunity to meet with dozens of artistic colleagues from around the world. During this eye-opening visit, we came to the profound realization that now more than ever, artists here in the United States are in dire need of residency space, expanded access to production resources and above all else, a safe testing ground to develop, cultivate and perform exciting new work.
In 2012, The Berkshire Fringe will be taking a hiatus from our open application process in order to launch our first ever performance incubator season. During our 8th Annual Festival, three ensembles from past seasons will be invited to return to The Berkshire Fringe as participants in a three-week artist in residency program. Participating artists will receive access to rehearsal space, technical and production support, housing, an expanded season of performances and more opportunities to interface with the community through workshops and invited rehearsals.
Our open submission process has been a hallmark of The Berkshire Fringe since our inception and the decision to focus our resources on supporting a more select group of artists in 2012 was not made lightly. However, it is through this process of expanded collaboration and artistic incubation that we continue our mission to nurture the next generation of innovative theater artists.
Warmly,
Sara Katzoff, Timothy Ryan Olson and Peter Wise
Co-Artistic Directors
If you are an emerging artist interested in submitting your work to the Berkshire Fringe in the future, we invite you to join our mailing list and stay informed about future opportunities to apply to our festival through our open submission process. With the exception of 2012, our application is typically announced in late October and submissions are due in mid February. Check out the information below to see how the process works and be sure to join our mailing list for updates and announcements throughout the year!
Download the 2011 Berkshire Fringe Artist Application–Reference Only
———————————————-
2011 Archives
Berkshire Fringe Seeks Dynamic New Works for the Stage!
That’s right! Each year our Fringy tentacles are reach out to every corner of the United States in search of fun, innovative and edgy work by emerging artists. Interested in performing at the Berkshire Fringe?
Have Questions?
Check out our nifty FAQ section
Some Fine Print and Insider Tips
The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2011. Please send all application packages first-class mail, postmarked on or before February, 15 2011.
Have fun with your application – show us what you’re all about!
Please note: Even if your show has never been produced before, supplemental materials such as video or photos from other work you have done is essential for an understanding of the quality and style of your work.
Check out our archives to get a sense of what we have programed in the past
Apologies to our foreign friends but we are not currently accepting international applications.
________________________________
If you have additional questions about the application process or the festival, please contact Sara Katzoff:
email hidden; JavaScript is required
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you tell me the approximate dates of the 2011 Festival?
A: Last week of July and the first two weeks of August
Q: How Many Applications do you receive each year?
A: On average, we receive 90 applications for six spots
Q: How many venues do you have and where will I perform?
A: In 2010 we had two venues. The first was our home in the beautiful 75 seat Liebowitz Studio Theater located in The Daniel Arts Center where we also make use of the lobby and surrounding outdoor spaces for our :30 Live! music series. The second was Mixed Company, a 60 seat theater in the Grainery Building in downtown Great Barrington.
Q: How much do tickets cost and what are the average earnings for Festival Artists?
A: Regular Priced Tickets are $15. Regular priced tickets, Festival passes, discounts and other promotions are all split with artists 50/50. 2010 festival artists averaged $900 in take home pay
Q: What is the general schedule of performances during the festival?
A: The Berkshire Fringe hosts 2 productions per week for three consecutive weeks in late July and August. We do our best to accommodate our artists busy schedules by only requiring them to be here for a maximum of six days. During that time, 5 performances are scheduled Wed-Monday with one day set aside for travel and tech.
Q: What kinds of audiences come to the Berkshire Fringe?
A: Our audiences are truly an eclectic and celebrated mix of locals, tourists, young people looking to check us out, older people looking to try something new, farmers, punks,teachers, artists, lawyers, social workers…you name it! We have truly built an incredible community here and we are proud that the Fringe has become something that is so widely anticipated.
Q: A Fringe Festival in a rural setting? Can you tell me more about that?
A: The Berkshire Fringe’s home is in Great Barrington, Mass; a small town in the heart of Southern Berkshire County and located equal distance from Boston and New York. For decades The Berkshires have been a favored travel destination presenting a wealth of cultural offerings, galleries, museums, live music, restaurants, cinemas, cafes, outdoor adventures and more. For a small town, Great Barrington is quite cosmopolitan! We choose to base our festival here because the work we present is truly unique even within the regions diverse offerings. We wanted our artists to have an opportunity to experience our incredible community, and for our community to experience exciting new works by vibrant emerging performers.
Q: Why only six shows?
A: Keeping to six main shows allows us to provide a number of resources to our artists including housing, time in our venue, marketing, publicity and front of house support. It also allows our artists, staff and audiences an opportunity to really get to know one another and spark dialog that exists both within and beyond the theater. In addition to presenting our six main performances, we also host a bi-weekly music series, a playwright mentorship program, several workshops and any number of special events. It might be a small festival but there is never a dull moment!
Q: What makes you different from other Fringe festivals?
A: There are a number of things that make the Berkshire Fringe unique. First and foremost, our rural setting asks us to think about our work in a slightly different way than if we were located in a larger urban environment. Because of our small size, we are able to provide a number of resources to our artists that are not available in some of the larger festivals. Some of these resources include artist housing, a generous tech schedule and support staff to help load in, run and strike your show, front of house and box office staff and extensive marketing and publicity.
Q: Can I see other artists work while performing at the Festival?
A: Absolutely! In fact, we schedule performances so that they don’t conflict with one another specifically for this reason. All participating artist receive complimentary tickets to all performances and events throughout the festival.
Q: I am fairly certain I have a personal conflict during the dates of the 2011 festival. Will this automatically disqualify me if I submit an application?
A: Not at all. While we can’t make any guarantees, the committee does its best to accommodate everyone’s scheduling conflicts and preferences. We suggest you note your dates of conflict during July and August and we will do our best to work something out if you are accepted.
Q: Why do you have a participation fee? Can you explain where my $150 goes when I am accepted to the Berkshire Fringe?
A: The participation fee is a gesture of good faith on the part of you, the artist not only to insure your spot in the 2011 Berkshire Fringe but also to help us cover a small fraction of the housing, theater rental, personnel, administrative and publicity costs associated with presenting your show.
Q: Do you accept international applications?
A: At present, we do not. However, please keep checking back with us as this is something we would like to do in the future!