FRINGE U(niversity)

In conversations and townhall chats with a diverse selection of artists and art workers, it became abundantly clear that indie artists have little to no training on how to be their own producers and arts workers are wanting more opportunities for ‘hands on’ learning. Out of that need, the concept of FRINGE U(niversity) was born.

FRINGE U is an experiential entrepreneurial programme specially designed to give emerging artists and arts workers the tools they need to become their own boss - empowering them to take control of their own futures and to create more work opportunities for themselves in the arts that they love!

ASK THE FRINGE ED COFFEE CHATS - if you are a theatre artist/arts worker who has burning questions about Fringe or how to make a career for yourself in the performing arts, Michele Gallant, Executive Director and Producer of the Calgary Fringe is happy to connect and chat over coffee at Cafe Gravity in Inglewood. Nothing is off limits! If you are interested in setting up a coffee chat session with Michele, send her a quick email with the topic(s) you wish to discuss (michele@calgaryfringe.ca).
HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE PRODUCTION WORKSHOP - we introduced this as a pilot project at the Centennial High School in March 2023 to great success. This has since been expanded to include high schools throughout the City of Calgary (both public and separate school systems). High school students are taken through a series of exercises led by Michele Gallant, Executive Director and Producer of the Calgary Fringe:

(1) Forming a theatre company - figuring out their SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), identifying what need in the world they are fulfilling, and determining their Mission and Vision statements.

(2) Production development of their show – synopsis of show and how it matches with their theatre company’s Mission and Vision statements, figuring out their show budget and how to fund the project, putting together their Production team and assigning roles, and determining the marketing message to attract their target audience.

(3) Presentation pitch to stakeholders – students will put together a 4-minute formal presentation about their theatre company and show, and make a formal ‘pitch’ to three core stakeholder groups: Presenter/Event Organizer (will they hire you?), Sponsor/Funder Representative (will they invest in you?), Patron Representative (will they see your show?).

At the end of this workshop, students will have a working knowledge of what it takes to form and manage your own theatre company, and how to produce/mount a show. A Fringe U Certificate of Completion is issued to each student to include in their school portfolios. Students will work together in groups or pods for the duration of the workshop. Any high schools interested in finding out more and/or to book a Theatre Production Workshop session for their school, to email Michele at michele@calgaryfringe.ca.
CALGARY FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL ARTIST PD WORKSHOPS – each month starting in March, our Fringe Festival artists are led and mentored in the art of self-producing, Fringe style! We tackle a variety of topics based on the particular needs of this group - such topics include budgeting/financing, planning a touring schedule, dramaturgy for scripts, developing your Marketing Playbook and Self-Promotion schedule, preparatory work before the first tech rehearsal (discussing venue specs, how to create a cue call sheet for the venue techs, when it’s advised to bring a Stage Manager on board, etc), Fringe Street Promo Like a Boss workshop (the art of flyering patrons in lineups and 30 sec elevator pitch of your show) … just to name a few!

These monthly workshops are held via Zoom for the first few months, then switching over to a mixture of Zoom and in-person workshops in July and August, 2025.

‘SHADOW THE FRINGE ED’ ARTS ADMIN PROGRAMME - want to get more of a hands-on experience of being a Director/Producer/Arts Administrator for an arts organization? Now’s your chance! Work elbow to elbow alongside the Calgary Fringe Executive Director and Producer, Michele Gallant, on everything to do with the summer Fringe Festival – learning about budgets and financing; thinking outside the box to come up with creative solutions to stay within the budget while delivering on a high quality product; marketing and promotion activities, both traditional and ‘grassroots’ style; time management and figuring out production schedules, etc. Successful applicants also get the opportunity to hang out and chat with the Fringe artists, learning from them as well. Applications for 2025 will open March 2025.
JUNIOR TECH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME - open for high school/first year university students aged 16 years and up interested in working behind the scenes as a theatre venue technician. Successful applicants work alongside seasoned Fringe technicians and our Technical Director, Thomas Hall, during our summer Fringe Festival in venue set up, tech rehearsals, running/tech’ing a show, and venue strike. Applications for 2025 will open March 2025.
ARTISTS’ SELF-PRODUCER WORKSHOP INTENSIVE - Deep Dive session into Finding your Why, followed by in-class sessions on “how to be your own self-producer”. Classes and pod work with guided mentorship and support from the Calgary Fringe Executive Director and Producer and special guest teachers. This workshop intensive takes place over three consecutive Saturday afternoons after the Thanksgiving long weekend. Applications for the Fall 2025 session will open September 2025.