VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
September 6-16, 2012 — Pick of the Fringe September 19-23

The Vancouver International Fringe Festival, produced annually by the First Vancouver Theatrespace Society, is BC’s largest theatre festival and North America’s most international Fringe Fest. This year’s Fringe Festival will feature over 700 performances by more than 80 groups over 11 days, and is expected to attract over 30,000 attendees. The Vancouver International Fringe Festival is voted Vancouver’s Best Arts Festival year after year by Georgia Straight readers.

OUR VISION

Theatre for Everyone!

OUR MISSION

Check out our shiny new mission statement! The Fringe went through a strategic planning and mission re-evaluation process in 2010, and after talking to artists, theatregoers, donors, and Fringers of every kind, here’s what we came up with.

The First Vancouver Theatrespace Society exists to celebrate theatre and create opportunities for performing artists and audiences by:

HISTORY

The First Vancouver Theatrespace Society (FVTS) was formed in 1983 with the mission of making it easier for people to produce theatre productions in Vancouver, and embodying the vision of “Theatre for Everyone.” From its original loft space in Gastown, FVTS burst onto the scene with several productions, a festival of one-act plays, and an original cabaret. This flurry of activity in its first year and a half of operation inspired FVTS to take the logical step of initiating a Vancouver Fringe Festival in 1985.

Twenty-six years later the FVTS has established itself as a leader in the BC arts community, and the Vancouver International Fringe Festival has become a fixture in Vancouver’s events calendar, becoming an annual tradition for arts lovers, theatergoers and volunteers alike.

WHAT MAKES US “FRINGE”

Fringe Festival shows are chosen in a non-juried lottery, allowing us to to present a wide variety of performances to the public. Yes, it’s true, we literally draw the shows out of a hat! Additionally, the Artists receive 100% of regular box office revenues generated during the Festival.

In keeping with the idea of “Fringe,” there are two venue options for artists. “Mainstage” venues are allocated by the Festival organizers. Venues include some of Vancouver’s best theatres including the New Revue Stage, Performance Works, and the Waterfront Theatre, all situated in and around Granville Island. Artists can also “Bring Their Own Venue” (BYOV) which has resulted in plays being performed in non-conventional locations such as a boat, a tree, a fire escape, and the back of a bicycle!

Every year the Fringe delivers an eclectic mix of un-juried, uncensored theatrical offerings. Presenting live theatre in an informal, accessible and inexpensive environment, the Fringe strives to break down traditional boundaries between audiences and artists, encouraging open dialogue between theatre-goers and theatre-creators. Audiences are invited to experience the work of emerging artists and seasoned veterans. Local, national and international artists benefit from working together and learning from each other in a vibrant and exciting festival atmosphere.

The Vancouver International Fringe Festival adheres to the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals model. FRINGE and FRINGE FESTIVAL are registered trademarks of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals.

WE ARE A CHARITY

The First Vancouver Theatrespace Society is a registered not-for-profit charitable society (Charitable tax #11891 9547 RR0001). With 100% of regular ticket sales going to the artists, and ever-decreasing funding for the arts in our province, we rely on our donors and sponsors to make the Festival happen. Learn more about how you can help.

The Fringe also relies on over 500 volunteers who donate their time before, during, and after the Festival.