Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival

infobox festival
festival_name= Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival
logo=


caption=Street Performers
location= Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada Flagicon|CAN
years_active= 1990 – present
dates= July 31, 2008 to August 9, 2008
genre= Fringe Theatre Festival
website= [http://www.25thstreettheatre.org/fringe2007/index.html Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival]

The Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival is an annual fringe theatre festival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A fringe festival is not censored, and not juried, and provides live theatre inexpensively, and musical forums as well as buskers. The Saskatoon Fringe Festival performs along Broadway avenue in the Nutana neighborhood and in neighboring venues. [Citation
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title =What is the Fringe?
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url =http://www.winnipegfringe.com/what.html
accessdate = 2007-06-03] [Citation
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title =Ottawa Fringe Festival What is the Fringe? About the Fringe.
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url =http://www.ottawafringe.com/about/
accessdate =2007-06-03 ] The festival is a major tourism destination.

General

The Fringe is held in the Summer in Saskatoon. In 2008, it ran from July 31 to 9 with an attendance of 12,279. [http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/arts/story.html?id=0655bd23-7be7-4109-aa62-c70cab4e1994 StarPhoenix: Fringe performers reaped more in 2008] All shows are held on and around Broadway Avenue in Saskatoon. Fringe tickets are all under $10 (Canadian) in price, and performing groups retain all ticket sales (with the exception of Youth groups). A "Fringe Button," is required for entry by adults to indoor venues. No button is required for children under the age of 12. The purchase of the button generates revenue for the festial.

The Fringe accepts a certain number of local, national and international companies each year. In 2006, 16 Saskatoon Companies and 12 International Companies performed, along with several National companies. Those accepted into the Fringe are chosen by lottery.

History

The Saskatoon Fringe Festival was started by the 25th Street Theatre Company, a group established in 1972 and incorporated in 1974. The Fringe was held in the summer of 1989 in the Duchess Street theatre venue in Saskatoon. In 1990, the Fringe moved to its regular Broadway Avenue venues.

Initiatives within the Fringe

"Youth Arts Initiative"

In 2003, the Fringe Started the Youth Arts Initiative to give young people an opportunity to perform at the Fringe. The initiative is led by the Youth Arts Council, a group of young people 14 to 25 years old. Currently, the Youth Arts Initiative allows for two types of performers at the Fringe festival: theatre and music. Theatre groups chosen perform at regular Fringe venues, and musical groups perform at the Fringe's Free Stage near the beer tent, located at 11th Street. Unlike with regular companies, the Saskatoon Fringe Festival retains up to 30% of youth company ticket sales.

References

External links

* [http://www.25thstreettheatre.org/ Official 25th Street Theatre Site]
* [http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/lifestyle/story.html?id=97fc9b37-f60d-4647-8443-da49bf35a988/ The Fringe - Saskatoon Starphoenix Article]