APPLICATIONS for THE 2024 NEXT STAGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

2024 Next Stage Theatre Festival will take place in October, 2024. Applications will open January 25, 2023 – March 8, 2023.

You can access a PDF version of our Application Guide here and a Step-by-Step guide to applying here. 

ABOUT THE 2024 NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL 

The 2024 Next Stage Theatre Festival will present a curated program of independent theatre and performing artists chosen by the Next Stage Selection Committee. The 17th annual festival will take place in late October 2024, and be presented at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, in the heart of downtown Toronto.

The 2024 Next Stage Festival will be accepting submissions from Canadian and International indie artists/companies.

The selection committee commits to reserving at least 50% of production spots for artists who are Indigenous, Black, or Persons of Colour. In late 2020 The Toronto Fringe underwent an EDI Audit conducted by Where You Are Consulting. Implementing this 50% minimum guarantee is a step to directly address some of the imbalances and gaps that exist in the demographics reflected on Fringe and Canada’s stages.

  • The Festival will present both in-person and live virtual productions offered to audiences online globally. 
  • Up to 6 indie artists/companies will be selected to produce a fully staged production in rep, presented in either The Chamber (approx. capacity 140) or Cabaret (capacity up to 90)
  • Up to 6 indie artists/companies will be selected to produce a real time virtual performance experience.
  • Each company will be offered a performance run of at least 6 performances: seating capacity approx. 90-140, depending on public health guidelines. Ticket prices will be set between $18-$25.
  • There is no fee to participate in the festival; the box office will be split 70:30 in favour of the participating company (70% revenue to you, 30% retained by Toronto Fringe).
  • Applications will be considered of either fully realized productions with significant production value that are ‘ready to be picked up’ and seen by presenters and programming theatre companies OR full productions of work that is distinctly in development, or being workshopped.
  • Applications will be considered for in-person or virtual performance concepts. 


WHO ARE NEXT STAGE ARTISTS 

  • Next Stage offers experienced indie producers a platform to showcase theatre and performing arts creators, writers, directors, performers in order to elevate a production or artist to a next level of recognition and/or development.
  • Applicants can submit new works, reworked projects and original adaptations and remounts of productions in order to significantly advance a project’s development. Productions of licensed work by notable playwrights or of the ‘classics’ are not eligible.
  • Applicants can submit live in-person works, or virtual programming.
  • The selection jury commits to reserving at least 50% of production spots for artists who are Indigenous, Black, or Persons of Colour. Eligibility requirements must be met by the INDIVIDUAL APPLYING, unless otherwise specified. This person is referred to as the MAIN ADMIN CONTACT, and is considered by the Festival to be the primary producer of the show. They enter a binding agreement with the Festival upon acceptance of a slot. 

More information

City: Toronto

Job Type: Submission

Pay: