This guide is here to support you in knowing a bit more about the Ottawa Fringe Festival, how to get here and how to move around the building. For any accessibility, questions feel free to contact Drea, Ottawa Fringe’s Access Coordinator: drea@ottawafringe.com .
The Ottawa Fringe is Ottawa’s largest and longest-running theatre festival. We provide a space where all artists can produce their work.
The Ottawa Fringe has no curator. This means that all shows are selected by a lottery draw to get a spot at the festival. Also Ottawa Fringe does not restrict artists’ content or shows. This allows you to experience lots of different kinds of work. For two weeks you can watch shows from Ottawa, nationally and internationally.
Fun fact: 100% of ticket sales go to the artists. Since 1997, we have paid out over $ 2 million to independent artists!
This year there are only three physical box offices unlike in past years where I could go to each venue to purchase my tickets. The three box offices are located on floor zero (LabO/OAG side), floor 1 (Arts Court) and floor 3 (Arts Court).
At each venue are boards with a QR code to assist me in purchasing a digital ticket on my smart device. An usher volunteer is present to support me in purchasing my ticket, collecting my online pin purchase, and scanning my ticket at the door. If I have a 5 or 10 show pass, I must go to a physical box office to redeem my pass for tickets.
LabO Box Office
This box office serves LabO theatre and Club SAW for any of your in-person box office needs. It is located on floor zero through the Ottawa Art Gallery.
I can borrow phone chargers and sensory backpacks at this box office.
Berlinga Lounge Box Office
This box office serves venues: Studio 1201, Atelier and ODD box. It is located on floor 1 by elevator B in Arts Court.
I can borrow phone chargers and listen everywhere devices from this box office.
Arts Court Theatre Box Office
This box office serves Arts Court Theatre venue. It also is where 5 and 10 show passes are sold, where VIP passes can be picked up and Ottawa Fringe merch is sold. This box office is open the earliest and latest to assist with any of my needs.
I can borrow phone chargers, sensory backpacks and listen everywhere devices.
Single tickets are $12 + Fees. I can either purchase my tickets:
I can either print my tickets at home or bring them with me on my smartphone. I should make sure I have either my printed or digital ticket with me. If I don’t have my printed ticket I can go to the Arts Court Theatre Box Office on the 3rd floor of Arts Court for help.
*Box Offices are located on each floor of the festival, floor 0 LabO, floor 1 Berlinga Lounge and floor 3 Arts Court Theatre. I can buy tickets online through the different show pages on the website.
I can check out the shows’ listings here. I can buy my tickets here. Or I can buy tickets in person at the venue box office 1 hour before show time or buy all my tickets in person at the Festival Box Office outside Arts Court Theatre. For directions click here.
Questions about your tickets? Email BoxOffice@ottawafringe.com
To view the accessible show listings, I can scroll to the bottom of this page. Or use the search tool on the show listings page to select the accessible type of show I would like to attend.
[ID: Five Fringe Pins: The two on the left are this year’s Fringe 2023 festival button pins. One has sprinkles and the other has a tentacle. Next to them are the Fringe Enamel Legacy pins featuring the original eyeball icon, the eyeball with a mask and new this year the eyeball ice cream cone. ]
A Fringe Pin is required to enter any show. I can buy one online or in person at the box office for $3. I only need to buy my pin once for each festival. However, I need to show it with my ticket each time I go to see a show. If I lose my pin I will need to buy another one.
Why do I need a fringe pin? Since 100% of ticket sales go directly to the performers, Fringe’s Pins (and donations) help the Festival grow.
Tickets
If I forget my tickets I can go to the 3rd floor Arts Court Theatre Box Office HUB and they will assist me.
Cash and/or Card
Water Bottle
A Mask
Fringe Pin
Tip: If I attach it to my wallet or my bag that I always use then I won’t forget it at home.
Headphones and Smart Device
The Ottawa Fringe is located at 2 Daly Ave. And is also accessible from 10 Daly Ave and 67 Nicholas St. Please click here for the Google Map.
Bus
Walk
Drive
Hot Tip: City Hall has free parking after 6 pm and on weekends (about a 10 minute walk to the festival).
Bike
Please note that there have been bicycle thefts. Lock your bike up well. Ottawa Fringe is not responsible for any stolen or damaged bikes while attending the festival.
The Ottawa Fringe operates in the Arts Court, Club SAW, Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) and University of Ottawa (LabO/Studio) spaces. They are all connected together to form one larger building.
Arts Court
Arts Court is a historical building which served as the Carleton County Court House before being transformed into the arts hub it is today in 1988.
Located at 2 Daly Ave.
For more information about Arts Court on their website click here.
The accessible entrance is located to the left of the stairs past the art sculptures. There are light green doors at the end of the alleyway. You will need to ring the doorbell for someone to come and open the door for you.
Venue 1 Arts Court Theatre
The venue has an accessible entrance. It is located on the 3rd floor of the Arts Court Building. Please use Elevator B.
Venue 4 Studio 1201
Accessible entrance on 60 Waller Street. On Floor one, accessible from the Arts Court past the OAG double doors.
Venue 6 Atelier
Accessible from Elevator A in the Arts Court building. Turn right out of the elevator.
Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG)
The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) is a newly renovated building which is free for the public to enjoy. The OAG serves as a pass through for the Ottawa Fringe to be connected to the LabO and University of Ottawa theatre venues. For more information about the OAG on their website click here.
Address 10 Daly Ave.
There is an accessible push button to go through the two glass doors.
Hours of operation: Wed-Sun 10-6 pm (to use this entrance)
Venue 2 ODD Box (Ottawa Dance Directive Box)
Located on the 2nd Floor of Arts Court, accessed from the 1st Floor, elevator A. There is an accessible push button to get into the space.
Chill out space 1202
Accessible entrance on 60 Waller Street. On Floor one, accessible from the Arts Court past the OAG double doors. Located next to the Venue 4 Studio 1201.
There are chairs, couches, yoga mats, exercise balls, ear defenders and sensory toys for you to use while in the chillout space.
SAW
Is an artist-run center that supports socially engaged art, especially performance and media art. They have a few different departments in their center called SAW Gallery and Club SAW. For more information about SAW Centre click here. Their Club SAW space and bar will be one of the Ottawa Fringe Venues.
There is a ramp from the courtyard to get to the door. The single door has an accessible push button.
Venue 3 LabO
Located on floor 0. Accessible from the Fringe Courtyard on 67 Nicholas and down the all past the OAG double doors.
Accessible entrance 10 Daly ave Wed-Sun 10-6 pm. Accessible entrance on Mon-Tues/evenings through 67 Nicholas Street.
Venue 5 Club Saw
Accessible entrance from the courtyard on 67 Nicholas Street.
This venue is physically accessible.
Arts Court Studio
This space is open throughout the day of the festival for you to hang out, look at show posters or grab something from the concession stand. This is also where the Arts Court Theatre’s line up begins. For the accessible entrance please visit the box office.
Here are the floor maps of the building that I can use to support finding my way. Onsite there are volunteers and signs to support me finding my way. Look for the eyeballs on the floor and elevators in Arts Court. And the signs with the Fringe logo on it around the other parts of the building.
A series of building maps that show the full festival grounds.
[Image description: Floor Zero. From right to left. 67 Nicholas Street, the entrance to the Fringe Courtyard. An arrow points to the door indicating it is wheelchair accessible. Note the courtyard has stairs, there is a ramp on the left side of the courtyard. Once I enter the building on my right is Venue 5 Club Saw. The box office will be on my right. On my left is a half wall for the staircase. I can go up these stairs to the other floors or go straight a few paces turn left and then right and go down the hallway. On my right is the gendered and accessible male and then female washrooms. After the washrooms on my left is elevator B, just before the jail cells are visible. I can either go left and up elevator B to access the rest of Arts Court or continue forward down the hallway. I will pass through the double doors into the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) on my left is the Jackson Cafe, and the OAG 10 Daly Ave entrance. I continue straight on my left is the security desk for OAG, on my right the OAG elevator and straight ahead is Venue 3 LabO. There are also universal and accessible stalled washrooms to my left at this venue.]
[Image Description: This is the first floor of the festival. From Right to left. There is 2 Daly Ave which is the Arts Court building entrance. Please note this entrance has a lot of stairs. There is an accessible entrance next to the sculpture garden on the left down the alleyway. At the end of the alleyway there is a green door. On my right is a doorbell that I push to have someone open the door. Please note this will take a few minutes. Returning to the entrance with the stairs. On my right is the Arts Court Information Desk, and on my left is the volunteer headquarters. If I continue straight, I will turn left. On my left is a universal accessible washroom. If I continue going straight there are two doors, the left most one will be propped open. After passing through, on my right is Elevator A which will get me to the second floor of the festival. If I continue past the elevator A on my right there will be another hallway. When I turn right I will go down the hallway until there is another one. On my right is Elevator B. This elevator will take me to the third floor of the festival. On my left is the Berlanga Lounge. I will turn left and continue past the double doors of the OAG. I will continue straight to the wooden doors at the end of the hallway. On my right is the OAG elevator which I can take down to floor zero to get to Venue 3 Labo. I will continue straight through the wooden doors. On my left is Venue 4 1201. If I continue straight, on the left-hand side is the genedered women’s change room and washroom. Following that is another room on the left which is the chillout space. Straight ahead of me is the 60 Waller Street entrance .This entrance is also accessible with a ramp and accessible push buttons to go through the double doors. ]
[Image description: A building map that shows the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Arts Court Building. Starting from bottom to top. To reach floor 2 from the first floor, take elevator A to floor 2. On my left is Venue 2 ODD Box which has an accessible push-button door. To my right is a coridor. Once I turn facing down the long corridor there is a hallway on my right which leads to a set of stairs going up. If I continue straight there is a very large accessible washroom on my left. It is a single stall. Continuing straight is Venue 6 Atelier. On the right down that corridor are two universal washrooms painted bright orange. Access the third floor. Going up the stairs on floor 2 to floor 3 I can reach Venue 1 Arts Court theatre and the studio. If I need an accessible route, the only way I can access it is by going down elevator A to the first floor, going down the hallway to elevator B and taking it to floor 3. Once I am on floor three, the Festival box office and Venue 1 Arts Court Theatre box office is on my immediate left when walking up the stairs, or straight ahead from the elevator. On the right from the elevator is the hallway that leads to the waiting area for Venue 1. I can hang out in the left side space until my show. Arts Court Studio also has a snack bar, and sometimes will have other treats to enjoy like on June 25th. Please note the Venue 1 has two enterances, one with stairs through the studio and one that is flat which is accessed by the Festival box office. I can ask for assistance and someone will support me. ]
Atelier: Is one of the Fringe venues this year. Although some people will know it as the Library.
ATC: This is the short form for Art Court Theatre on the 3rd floor by elevator B. Some of the staff and artists sometimes call it this, but don’t worry, all signs include the full name!
A Show for Every Taste: is the slogan for this year’s Ottawa Fringe. It just means that no matter what you like, there’s sure to be a show that you’ll like to watch.
Berlinga: This is the newest box office at the festival this year. It is located on floor one of arts court near elevator B. Here you can purchase tickets for Atelier, ODD box and Studio 1201.
Billet, Billeting: Some patrons are very kind volunteers by offering their spare bedroom or couch to a travelling artist. To say thanks, these patrons are gifted with VIP festival passes.
BYOV: “Bring Your Own Venue.” Shows in a BYOV are put on by artists who did not win an official venue through the lottery or would like to perform in a space that is specific to their work.
Courtyard/ Tent: This is the Fringe courtyard on 67 Nicolas. This is the main gathering place for people to hang out, grab a beverage and enjoy the cool vibes.
Front of House Staff: Fringe staff members who walk around the festival, helping Venue Box Office Assistants if necessary and selling tickets to patrons.
Fringe Pin: Each patron must have a Fringe Pin to enter the theatre. Pins are available online, at the box office, and at the door for $3. Some people collect the pins and if you go up to staff you might see some pins from previous years. They are pretty cool!
Fringe Time: Refers to the time kept by the Festival to ensure that all shows in various venues start on time. Clocks are set to Fringe Time at all venues, scanners and box offices.
LabO: Is the part of the building owned by the University of Ottawa. However we call the theatre on floor zero Lab O and the other studio/chillout space Studio 1201 and Studio 1202 (Chill out space) are located on floor 1. LabO also has a festival box office located on floor zero to purchase tickets for LabO theatre and SAW.
Legacy Pins: These are beautiful enamel pins that cost $12, they also help fundraise for the Fringe, but by purchasing one of these pins you won’t have to purchase another Fringe pin again. They are good for life for this Fringe and all future Ottawa Fringe Festivals (unless you forget it at home…).
Lottery: Performers are chosen by a lottery, making the Festival accessible to any artist who would like to participate regardless of age, experience, genre, etc. 50% of spots are reserved for local artists, 30% for national artists and 20% for international artists. The draw takes place during a special party every December.
Listen Everywhere: Is the assistive listening/audio description system available in Atelier, ODD and Arts Court Theatre.
ODD box: Stands for Ottawa Dance Directive. The ODD Box is a venue on Arts Court’s second floor (Elevator A).
Tip The Fringe: Donation-based funding campaign for the Festival. Since 100% of the box office proceeds go directly to the performers, this campaign supports the Festival and the proceeds keep the Festival running. Tip the Fringe boxes are included at all box offices.
Tip Tap: is a way to donate to the Fringe with your credit card. It’s new this year but since 100% of the box office proceeds go directly to the performers, any little bit helps make sure this awesome festival can keep going.
The HUB: This is the main festival box office. You can get festival passes, book your tickets and purchase festival merch here!
Usher: These are volunteers who will scan your tickets when you line up for the show with your ticket.
Usher: These are volunteers who will scan your tickets when you line up for the show with your ticket.
Every show requires masks and has ASL interpretation and Machine Generated Open Captioning:
Buy tickets here.
This show is a described storytelling performance. It also offers three performances that are ASL interpreted:
Thursday, June 15th 6:00 pm
Sunday, June 18th 8:00 pm
Thursday, June 22nd 8:30 pm
Buy tickets here.
Offers one performance that is Audio Described.
Saturday, June 24th 4:30 pm
Buy tickets here. (If you would like to attend the Audio Described performance please email Drea: drea@OttawaFringe.com.)
This show is a physical storytelling production:
Buy tickets here.
This show requires masks at all performances:
Buy tickets here.
Offers two open captioning performances. One in English and one in French.
Buy tickets here.
This show requires masks at all performances and is a described storytelling show:
Buy tickets here.
All shows fall into the Physical Storytelling category.
This show also offers one audio-described performance.
Buy tickets here. (If you would like to attend the Audio Described performance please email Drea: drea@OttawaFringe.com.)
This show requires masks at all performances. However, June 21st is also a Reduced Capacity Performance:
Buy tickets here.