Call for Proposals: undercurrents 2027

Submissions for undercurrents 2027 are now open and will be accepted until March 25, 2026. Our submission form will remain open beyond that deadline for productions interested in being considered for undercurrents 2028. We are seeking local French- or English-language works, as well as national tour-ready productions in either language.

The undercurrents festival model enables us to dedicate more resources, attention, and support to each participating show, which makes the festival both highly competitive and selective.

We encourage you to submit your most compelling project and will meet with all shortlisted artists and teams before final selections are made. 

Our priorities are:

• We are committed to centering the voices of BIPOC artists, QTBIPOC artists, Deaf and Disabled+ artists, and 2SLGBTQ+ artists. 
• Developing high-quality, local work. We’re passionate about growing Ottawa’s theatre community and showcasing its extraordinary talent. 
• This year, we are extending a direct invitation to Indigenous artists to submit proposals or reach out to us with ideas. We recognize undercurrents has historically operated within Euro-centric frameworks, and we know that creating space for Indigenous works, as imagined by their creators, requires time, trust, and relationship-building. We are committed to engaging in meaningful conversations toward that goal.

We’re excited to receive your submissions and look forward to learning more about the projects you’re creating.

In addition to the online form, we ask all artists to submit:

1. A proposal describing the project, its history, and the confirmed participating artists
2. Biographies/CVs of lead artists or creators
3. A completed script or script sample
4. Additional support material (optional): tech specs*, reviews, photos, or letters of support

*If you have them, we ask for tech specs so we can make sure our theatre can accommodate your show. The more detail you can give us, the better, but ideally they would include: particulars of your set, information about lights and sound, video or projection components, etc… But don’t stress out about tech specs! We never rule out a show based on this information, and will reach out if we have questions. 

If the form is not accessible for you, we will also accept alternative formats. Alternative applications could be a video (English, French or ASL) or an audio file. Please limit videos or audio files to no more than 10 minutes long, and include all the information requested in the application form. You may then submit your application by email to director@ottawafringe.com.

Have questions before submitting? Want to learn more about undercurrents? Scroll down for more info!

Or schedule a call / book a meeting with Ottawa Fringe Executive and Artistic Director, Alain Richer (director@ottawafringe.com).

Apply Here

The Ottawa Fringe Festival is seeking three experienced Francophone community connectors to form a paid Francophone Outreach Advisory Committee from March to mid-July 2026.

This initiative is supported through the City of Ottawa’s Capacity Building Program and is a key step in strengthening the Ottawa Fringe’s role as a bilingual arts organization.

About the Opportunity
We are building a three-person advisory committee composed of individuals with demonstrated experience in Francophone outreach and engagement within the Ottawa-Gatineau region

Committee members will work collaboratively with Fringe staff to expand our presence in French-speaking communities and help introduce new audiences to the Ottawa Fringe Festival.

This is a paid contract: $2,500 for approximately 40 hours of work between March and mid-July 2026.

Scope of Work
The committee will:

• Meet regularly with Fringe staff from March to June
• Conduct additional remote administrative and grassroots outreach work
• Advise on Francophone outreach strategy
• Connect the organization with Francophone networks, communities, and cultural leaders.
• Identify and build contact lists of French-language organizations and community leaders
• Flag barriers in programming, communications, or policies that might unintentionally exclude Francophone participation
• Help shape effective and culturally informed engagement approaches

This model prioritizes sustained, integrated guidance rather than one-time consultation.

Who Should Apply

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are strongly connected to Ottawa’s Francophone arts and cultural communities
• Have proven experience in outreach, engagement, or community-building
• Have relationships within French-language organizations or networks
• Are passionate about strengthening Ottawa-Gatineau’s bilingual arts ecosystem

You do not need to be connected specifically to the theatre community. We welcome applicants from across artistic disciplines and cultural sectors.

Why This Work Matters

Short-term goal:

Introduce new Francophone audiences to the Ottawa Fringe Festival in advance of the 2026 festival.

Long-term goal:

Further cement the Ottawa Fringe as a truly bilingual organization embedded in both official language communities.

This is an opportunity to help shape structural change within a major Ottawa arts organization.

How to Apply

Please send a letter of interest to jobs@ottawafringe.com.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

At the Fringe, volunteers are essential! Quite simply, the festival wouldn’t exist without them! Every year, we bring together a dynamic team to bring this great celebration of independent theater to life.

As a volunteer, you’ll dive right into the heart of the festival, discover what goes on behind the scenes and support passionate artists. And as an added bonus, you’ll get to see shows for free and meet inspiring people!

Looking for a unique experience? Join the team and be part of the Fringe adventure!

What the Fringe has to offer:

• 1 shift = 1 free ticket
• Exclusive shows for our volunteers
• Make a difference and join the movement

Sign up here

Are you a theatre collective, company or individual looking for a unique chance to connect and collaborate? The Ottawa Fringe Festival invites you to join us in our offices for an exciting co-working opportunity! Every Thursday from 10am – 4pm we’re opening up our offices to you!

What’s in it for you?

• Connect with Our Team: Spend time working alongside our dedicated festival team in the heart of Downtown. This is a fantastic chance to network and share ideas in our historically artistic building.
• Community Outreach: Our goal is to engage with our local community and enhance and support projects by providing space. Your presence will help foster our connection and give us a better look into your  needs.
• Creative Collaboration: Work in an inspiring environment at no charge where creativity thrives. Share your projects, get feedback, and explore potential collaborations with us. Not to mention free coffee.

How to Get Involved:

We’re eager to welcome theatre companies, collectives or individuals  who are passionate about the arts and interested in building strong community ties. If this sounds like a fit for you, reach out to us to learn more about this opportunity and how you can be a part of it.

Apply Here