What is Fringe?
Fringe North International Theatre Festival (Fringe North), is an annual, not for profit 10 day theatre festival located in Sault Ste. Marie with the inaugural season planned for August 10-20, 2017. Fringe North will run in subsequent years beginning the first Thursday following the Civic Holiday in August. Fringe North commits to respecting the principles and values established by the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals.
Where did Fringe come From?
The history of Fringe Festivals began in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947. There, a number of performing artists who were not official participants of the Edinburgh International Festival (whose participants are invited by its General Director) decided to produce their own work in empty stores and church basements. Thus, their work was staged literally “on the fringe” of the established festival. The concept was an immediate success and the Fringe soon became as – if not more – popular as the “official” Edinburgh Festival. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as of 2012 is the largest festival in the world and has inspired the creation of Fringe Festivals across Canada and the world. Each Fringe Festival has evolved its own flavour to match the distinct personality of its home city, yet each dedicated to the Fringe philosophy of accessible, inexpensive and fun theatre-going. Over the past 30 years, Fringe Festivals in Toronto, Ottawa, London, Guelph, Hamilton, Windsor, North Bay, and now Sault Ste. Marie, ON have become part of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals.
What is the Vision of Fringe North?
First Nations: Fringe Festivals are adapted to reflect the communities that host them. Performers from First Nations in Northern Ontario and Northern Michigan will be given a high priority to participate at Fringe North 2017. There is a local need for First Nations stories and history to be shared with the residents of Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding areas.
Children’s Fringe: Children’s Fringes must be affordable for families. Preliminary contact with educational providers such as Science North and the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library have been made regarding assistance in offering free, fun, educational programming. The Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre are fine examples of venues to support children’s Fringe events. Both have excellent stages seating approximately 60 people each.
Youth Employment: Fringes create jobs and provide creative experience for youth with a passion for the arts. The 2015 Edmonton Fringe delivered $970,000 directly to artists from box office receipts alone. Fringe North hopes to be in the position to hire an intern beginning in 2016 and three students for spring 2017. For the year 2017 it is estimated that 50 new employment and income opportunities for youth will be created. This estimate includes indirect jobs. Fringe festivals hire students, utilize existing businesses and venues, and provide an economic opportunity for artists.
Collaboration: It is the intent of Fringe North to recruit artists and attract audiences to both perform and attend the Fringe North International Theatre Festival in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in August 2017 as well as to launch a cross border Can/Am Fringe North in 2018.
LOCATION OF ALL NORTH AMERICAN FRINGES