VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
Sept. 9-19, 2010 — Pick of the Fringe Sept. 23-26

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 600 performances by more than 80 groups over 11 days, and is expected to attract nearly 30,000 attendees. The Vancouver International Fringe Festival was voted Vancouver’s Best Arts Festival for five years in a row by Georgia Straight readers.

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 mantra “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-five 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.

WE ARE SPECIAL

Applications for participation in Fringe Festivals are accepted on a non-juried lottery allowing for a wide variety of performances to be presented to the public. In addition, 100% of regular box office revenues generated during the festival goes back to the artists.

In keeping with the idea of “Fringe,” there are two venue options for artists. There are “Mainstage” venues, 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 car, a boat, a tree, and a fire escape.

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 First Vancouver Theatrespace Society is a registered not-for-profit charitable society (#11 8919547 RR0001). 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.