undercurrents 2025

Appel de candidature / Call for Submissions

 

English version to follow.

FRANÇAIS

undercurrents est le festival de théâtre contemporain d’Ottawa, qui aura lieu du 5 au 15 février 2025.

En ce moment, nous sollicitons des propositions de la part des artistes suivants:

  • Productions françaises basées à Ottawa prêtes à être mises en scène pour le festival de 2025
  • Productions canadiennes en français prêtes à être présentées au festival undercurrents 2025
  • Travaux en cours de développement en français qui pourraient être présentée sous forme de lecture ou de laboratoire

Le festival examinera les candidatures d’artistes établis et émergents qui travaillent sur de nouvelles pièces de théâtre ainsi que celles d’artistes qui tournent des œuvres originales déjà produites.

Nous encourageons les candidatures d’artistes sous-représentés qui s’identifient aux groupes prioritaires de l’organisation : Artistes BIPOC (Noirs, indigènes, personnes de couleur), artistes sourds et artistes handicapés+, artistes immigrés et réfugiés, artistes 2SLGBTQ+.

En plus du formulaire en ligne, nous demandons à tous les artistes d’envoyer:

  1. Une proposition décrivant le projet, son historique et les artistes participants (trois pages max.)
  2. Les biographies et CV des artistes principaux
  3. Un échantillon du scénario ou un scénario achevé
  4. Des documents complémentaires (facultatifs) : spécifications techniques, critiques, photos ou lettres de soutien.

Si le formulaire n’est pas accessible, nous acceptons également des formats alternatifs. Il peut s’agir d’une vidéo (en anglais, français ou LSQ) ou d’un fichier audio. Veuillez limiter la durée des vidéos ou des fichiers audio à 10 minutes maximum. Vous pouvez ensuite soumettre votre candidature par courriel à director@ottawafringe.com.

Avez des questions avant de soumettre votre candidature? Vous voulez en savoir plus sur undercurrents?

Consultez notre FAQ.

Ou prenez rendez-vous avec le directeur exécutif du festival Ottawa Fringe, Alain Richer (director@ottawafringe.com).

Nous acceptons les candidatures jusqu’à ce que le festival soit programmé.

Postulez maintenant

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undercurrents is Ottawa’s festival of contemporary theatre and will be taking place February 5-15, 2025. We seek submissions from the following artists:

  • French and English Ottawa based stage-ready productions
  • French and English National stage-ready productions
  • French and English 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, Immigrant and Refugee Artists, 2SLGBTQ+ Artists.

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

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

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. You may then submit your application by email to director@ottawafringe.com.

Have questions before submitting? Want to learn more about undercurrents?

Check out our undercurrents FAQ document.

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

We will be accepting applications until the festival is programmed.

Apply Now

undercurrents Shows FAQs

*Over the last few years, there have been two categories of shows included in undercurrents festivals: Mainstage Shows and the Discovery Series. For our upcoming festival, we are moving away from asking applicants to place their show in one of these two categories since they don’t necessarily apply to all projects. And we’re interested in hearing about all shows regardless or lengths and production history. We hope this will help us program a festival that can easily accommodate shows of various genres, in both traditional / non-traditional theatre spaces and with production value that doesn’t necessarily fit a festival model. Further FAQ information can be found here.

*Au cours des dernières années, deux catégories de spectacles ont été incluses dans les festivals undercurrents : Spectacle scène principale et Série découverte. Pour notre prochain festival, nous ne demandons plus aux candidats de classer leur spectacle dans l’une de ces deux catégories, car elles ne s’appliquent pas nécessairement à tous les projets. Nous sommes intéressés par tous les spectacles, quelle que soit leur durée ou l’historique de leur production. Nous espérons que cela nous aidera à programmer un festival qui peut facilement accueillir des spectacles de différents genres, dans des espaces de théâtre traditionnels ou non, et avec une valeur de production qui ne correspond pas nécessairement au modèle d’un festival. Pour plus d’informations sur la FAQ, cliquez ici.

 

1) Mainstage Shows

These shows typically run between 50-80 minutes (though exceptions can be made) and are usually performed in the Arts Court Theatre, a 130 proscenium theatre space. Each show is guaranteed 3 performances during the run of the festival. That said, we are fans of theatre pieces that defy form, space and time so if your project doesn’t adhere to what we’ve mentioned above – apply anyways!

Each show will be paid a guaranteed presenting fee. The festival will also offer travel support and per diem (to cover accommodations) to national artists and free rehearsal space at Arts Court to local productions. In addition, the festival will provide marketing and promotion for the production; box office, venue, and venue services staff; as well as technical staff and support.

Note that all ticket revenue returns to the festival. Tickets are sold following a tiered “Pick Your Price” model.

2) Discover Series

Discovery Series productions are new short works-in-progress or live art/ installation pieces, typically running 30 minutes in length (and maximum 45 minutes in length). They are performed in our Atelier Theatre, a 40-50 seat black box space. Each show is guaranteed 2-3 performances during the run of the festival.

Each show will be paid a guaranteed presenting fee and will have access to free rehearsal space at Arts Court. Travel support may be available to Discover Series shows on a case by case basis. In addition, the festival will provide marketing and promotion for the production; box office, venue, and venue services staff; as well as technical staff and support.

under development is the Ottawa Fringe’s new play development program, inviting local artists/collectives to work on their new creation pieces in residence at Arts Court for a year.

under development offers rehearsal/creation space and access to professional development opportunities, workshops, and Fringe resources. under development artists have access to administrative, dramaturgical, production and technical support from Fringe staff. When funding permits, under development artists will also be offered an honorarium to support the project.

Participants have the freedom to create based on their own process and timeline, with access to resources on an as needed/requested basis. under development participants meet regularly with Fringe staff and as a group for updates and to share their work.

*Please note that we will not be accepting new under development participants at this time. While we will continue supporting artists and productions currently participating in the program, we are re-thinking and redeveloping under development. This is a temporary hiatus – we look forward to sharing how this program will move forward in the future.