How do I apply to Island Fringe Festival?

We aim to have our applications open the end of October and have them stay open until mid-March.

How do I get in touch if I have questions that aren’t covered here?

Send us an email: islandfringe@gmail.com

When and where is the Island Fringe Festival?

The Island Fringe Festival takes place in various locations in downtown Charlottetown. Historically we have been in August, but in 2025 moved to October.

It’s our goal to run the festival Wednesday through Sunday before the Statutory Holiday known in Canada as “Thanksgiving”. The 2026 Island Fringe Festival will take place from October 7 – 11.

How do I become an Island Fringe Festival performer?

First you must apply, and then your application must be drawn at random (like, literally, your name will be drawn from a hat!).

If you aren’t drawn for a spot in the festival, you may be on our waitlist. If one of the drawn performers decides to not attend Island Fringe Festival, we will contact the first on the waitlist (from the same category) and offer them that spot… then the second on the waitlist, and so on until all our spots are full.

When does the draw happen?

We aim to hold our draw in mid-March.

How much does it cost to apply?

ZERO DOLLARS. Yes, that is correct. It costs nothing for you to apply to be part of Island Fringe Festival. If you are drawn in the lottery, a $300 fee is required to hold your spot (this money covers the cost of marketing your show and the festival). That fee is non-refundable and is due one week after the lottery draw.

What makes Island Fringe Festival unique?

The Island Fringe Festival offers unconventional performances in unconventional venues. This is an opportunity to bring your show into a one-of-a-kind space in downtown Charlottetown—maybe you’ve always dreamed of staging a performance in a park, by the sea, or in a diner complete with milkshakes. Our goal is to shake up theatre while keeping it affordable for both artists and audiences.

Because many of the performance venues we use are are not theatres, most do not have capabilities for standard theatre tech (such as lighting grids). We embrace alternative, low-tech, and site-specific approaches, and we get creative in imagining what’s possible in each location. If tech is an integral part of your show, let us know and we will consider your technical requirements when selecting your venue.

And as a small festival with a big heart, Island Fringe is deeply artist-focused and community-minded. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where artists feel supported, audiences feel welcomed, and connections grow in meaningful, memorable ways.

What is an eligible performance?

Eligible performances include but are not limited to: theatre, comedy, performance art, dance, musical theatre, family-friendly shows, clown performances, magic shows, puppet shows… or anything else you can dream up! A Fringe Festival prides itself on being a low-capital production that works with independent theatre artists.

All types of performance pieces are welcome, including new, previously performed, and reworked pieces.

If you have an idea for a performance that you would like to submit but are unsure if it fits, check in with us at islandfringefestival@gmail.com

Why would I want to put on a Fringe show?

A Fringe Festival is a great place to learn how to produce a show by actually producing a show. It’s still a risk, but the Fringe has a built-in audience base and costs are lower than self-producing outside the Festival.

You can experiment with content. Fringe audiences are open to all genres. And while the Fringe is uncensored—meaning you’re in charge of what you say and how you say it—we also uphold our responsibility to ensure a safe and respectful environment for artists and audiences. Any performance that includes hateful speech or content that contradicts the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms will be removed from our Festival.

You can network with other performing artists and learn from each other. You can meet artists who tour the Fringe circuit across Canada and around the world, as well as artists rooted in the local community.

And finally, the Fringe can be a great opportunity to grow. Fringe shows are eligible for awards that can help you take the next step in your career.

What do show ratings mean?

Audience ratings (G, PG-13, Mature, Restricted) are determined by the artists, not Island Fringe Festival.

• G meant to be viewable by all ages. There is no profanity, and no scenes that depict drug use, sex, or nudity.
• PG-13 considered to be appropriate for teens/older children – there may be brief nudity, profanity, and violence without gore.
• Mature may contain any/all of the following: violence, drug abuse, sexuality, profanity, nudity, or other adult themes (among other things).
• Restricted extremely mature topics that may be triggering to viewers, not suitable for audiences under the age of 18.