Performance Application Opens July 1
The performance application for the 2027 Tucson Fringe Festival is almost upon us. We’ve made a few changes since last year. Due to more financial constraints and greater competition for grants funding, we will have only one live in-person venue. Another factor for this decision is the lack of venues that suit our needs within close proximity to each other. While this does mean fewer performers in the festival, we have made some other changes to compensate for this loss.
The biggest change for this coming year is each show will have two performances except for short Fleeting Fringe shows and virtual shows. This will make things easier to schedule and, when we have more venues, it’ll make it easier for audiences to see more shows without missing others.
Another change we’ve made is to get more local performers in the festival and we are adding Independently Produced shows as an option for the festival. Similar to what used to be known as Bring Your Own Venue (BYOV), these shows will acquire their own venue, insurance, and technical & box office staff for the festival. Independently Produced shows are not subject to the festival lottery and do not need to fill out the performance application. If you would like more details about having an Independently Produced show in the festival, please send an email to tucsonfringe@gmail.com.
We have sunset the Live on Zoom option and will no longer offer any performance programing on Zoom. The primary reasons are we have fewer artists applying for this option, and attendance has decreased the last couple years. We will continue offering pre-recorded content on Vimeo and YouTube.
Ticket prices are increasing for the 2027 Festival. Individual tickets will be $20 for Live In-Person Shows and Screenings with $16 going directly to artists. $15 for Pre-recorded Shows on Vimeo with $12 going directly to artists. YouTube content will remain free. 2-Show Passes will cost $35 with $14 from each ticket ($28 total) going directly to artists. 5-Show Passes will cost $80 with $14 from each ticket ($70 total) going directly to artists.
We are in talks with local printing companies to handle not just regular printing but buttons, stickers, and T-Shirts as well. We had increased interest in T-shirts last year and were not prepared. We’re hoping to eliminate that issue by working with a local partner (something we should have done a long time ago).
You might be asking, “What’s the one venue that was mentioned at the beginning?” We are returning to The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre. They have great facilities and great people working there and we are excited to continue that relationship. The festival dates are Thursday, January 28 through Sunday, January 31, 2027. Put it on your calendars now!