Fringe is a performing arts tradition that started in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947 when eight performing groups were excluded from the mainstream annual arts festival. They decided to perform anyway, finding inexpensive or free venues on the fringes of the city. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has since grown into one of the largest arts festivals in the world, eclipsing the original festival exponentially.

The Z's Fringe Festival is a celebration of self-produced performance art that pushes the envelope and makes a statement. Performances at The Z Fringe are theatrically-based, meaning they have a viewpoint, tell a story, or connect multiple pieces with a theme. Like the origin story of Fringe Festivals, The Z Fringe was created to give performing artists access to performance space and the opportunity to explore new concepts and performance formats that don’t fit a ‘traditional’ production model. 

April 5-6, 2024

We are excited to announce 2 NEW CATEGORIES of performance art: 

• Visual Art: Gallery-style showcases of visual art of all mediums. More details on submissions coming soon!
• Works in Progress: Artists may present a new work still in the creative process for audience feedback on performance day. 

• Submission Period December 15th to January 15 11:59pm EST

• We want as many artists as possible to be able to participate. To help with that, only one application per producing artist is allowed. Multiple applications from the same Producer/Main Contact will be removed from the lottery. 

• Performances can be any genre but should have a viewpoint, tell a story, or connect multiple pieces with a theme. In addition to theater pieces, this definition could include a dance piece with a viewpoint, a stand up routine with a throughline, a showcase of scenes from works in progress with a connecting theme…. And more! If you have questions, check out our How To Z Fringe workshop (LINK) or contact us. 

• No nudity outside the performance venue, no fire or open flame, no wet paint or other materials that may cause damage to the venue. No loose glitter or confetti (it's bad for the planet and our vacuums). 

• Run Time for a production must be at least 15 min and no longer than 90 min. Run Time is from the beginning of your performance (immediately after The Z’s recorded curtain speech) until the end of bows, audience talk-back, or post-show announcements (if you choose to do them). 

• Backstage Time includes set up, dressing room access, and strike to a clear stage. Each show will be able to select their Backstage Time from an offered range of 15-60 minutes.  

• Tech Time will be offered to each show based on their Run Time, with the option to increase their tech time for an additional production fee. Tech Time appointments will be available April 1-4. Limited slots will be available on the 5th reserved for performances from outside the Hampton Roads area. Depending on demand, additional tech slots may be added March 27-29th.

Content Guidelines The Z is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community. The Z’s artistic staff may reject any submission deemed not in line with this policy, such as entries with messages that are derogatory toward other groups, based on gender, race, color, religion, age, nationality, disability or other characteristic. Any rejection on such grounds will be based on the perceived artistic merit of the entry in accordance with The Z’s mission and values. Any Entrant submitting such material may be banned from future applications at The Z.

• Applicants must submit a completed application before January 15, 2024 at 11:59PM. 

• The Z Fringe Committee will review each submission to make sure they meet festival guidelines. Submissions meeting the guidelines will be entered into the lottery and festival selections will be chosen at random. Lottery selection and announcements will be completed by January 26.

• There is no cost to apply to The  Z Fringe Festival.  Shows selected for the festival will be required to pay a Production Fee based on their Run Time.  *Production fee is waived for Z Artist Members.

• Production fees range from $10 - $75 and are based on the show's level of production effort needed. This calculation takes into account the total time needed for Run Time, Backstage Time, and Tech Time. Producing Artists will receive a quote based on their application as part of the acceptance of selection process. 

• Main Stage Theater

  • A 299 seat thrust theater.
    

  • Approximate stage space: 24’ x 32’ (~768 sq ft).
    

  • Cyc or Full Stage Black available as backdrop with the option of a drop-down projection screen.
    

  • One Dressing Room, max capacity 10 people.

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• Studio Theater
  • An approximately 87 seat black box theater.
  • Stage dimensions: 24’ x 12’ (288 sq ft).
  • Stage height: 1’-0”
  • One Dressing Room, max capacity 10 people.

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Detailed venue information will be provided in a tech packet to selected productions after lottery.

Tech Time is your access to the performance space for load-in, cuing, and technical rehearsal with Z technicians.

Shows are allotted a base amount of Tech Time, based on their Run Time. Productions may add to their Tech Time for an associated production fee increase. 

Productions selected in the lottery may revise their Tech Time when signing their agreement.

Additional Tech Time, if needed can be purchased:

• +30min ($10)  
• +60min ($25)
  

Production Fee: Production fees range from $10 - $75 and are based on the show's level of production effort needed. This calculation takes into account the total time needed for Run Time, Tech Time, and Pre-Show Backstage Time. Producing Artists will receive a fee quote based on their application as part of the acceptance of selection process.