Find out how you can get involved with the Ottawa Fringe Festival!
On this page you will find current employment, volunteer and artist opportunities!
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
Every year, the Ottawa Fringe Festival welcomes incredible artists from across the country and beyond. We’re committed to finding a home for every artist who needs one, and that’s where you come in!
If you have a spare room, you can make a huge difference by billeting an out-of-town artist. It’s an easy and rewarding way to support the arts, connect with the festival on a deeper level, and be part of a vibrant creative community. Plus, as a thank you, we’ll give you a full access pass to the festival, allowing you to see as many shows as you want!
Hosting an artist means providing a welcoming space for the duration of the festival (usually around two weeks). Many of our hosts and artists build lasting friendships, and it’s a fantastic way to experience the Fringe spirit from the inside.
Why Billet?
✔️ Make a real difference – Artists depend on our billeting program to keep their Fringe dreams alive.
✔️ Get an All-Access Pass – See as many shows as you want, for FREE!
✔️ Meet incredible artists – Who knows? You might be hosting the next big theatre sensation!
✔️ Be part of the Fringe family – There’s no better way to experience the festival from the inside.
Interested in billeting? Get in touch and help us make this festival truly feel like home for everyone! Fill out the form below to get started.
undercurrents is Ottawa’s festival of contemporary theatre taking place every February. We seek submissions from the following artists:
- French, English or bilingual Ottawa based stage-ready productions
- French, English or bilingual National stage-ready productions
- French, English or bilingual works in progress suitable to staged readings or workshop presentations
The festival will consider applications from established and emerging artists who are working on new plays and performance pieces, as well as from those touring previously produced original work.
We encourage submissions from under-represented artists who identify with the organization’s Priority Groups: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) Artists, Deaf Artists and Disabled+ Identified Artists, 2SLGBTQ+ Artists.
In addition to the online form, we ask all artists to submit:
- A proposal describing the project, its history, and the confirmed participating artists
- Biographies/CVs of lead artists or creators
- A completed script or script sample
- 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).
We’re opening submissions for both the 2026 and 2027 festivals. If your show is ready for the stage or currently touring, submit for 2026. If your show needs more development time but would benefit from early programming (perhaps helping you secure further funding), apply for 2027.
Deadline for 2026 consideration is April 18.
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.
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