Darwin Fringe

Darwin Fringe is the biggest platform for emerging, independent and experimental artists in the Top End. A community arts festival with bite creatives of all skills levels are encouraged to get involved to present more than 10 art forms. Held annually over 10 days in July there is an open access curated hub program (we pick the shows and run the venues) as well as events and experiences that happen in other venues around town (run by anyone). Generally there’s around 100 shows with 140+ individual performances across 20+ venues. From theatrical productions to backyard music gigs, Fringe not only showcases local talent (around 70% of the program) but welcomes travelling works to share their stories and skills on Larrakia land. Read more here.

1. You apply using either a Hub, Performance or General application.
2. If you apply with a Hub or Performance application we will send you either an offer or a message saying we can’t find the right spot for you.
3. If you get accepted then you will begin preparing your admin: sign contract, pay fees, finalize marketing, produce show etc.
4. If you don’t get accepted you have time to apply using a General application.
5. Once General applications close just wait to receive a letter of acceptance to confirm that your idea is safe and abides by the NO TRAASH policy, you will then also begin preparing your show’s admin.
6. You’ll have to submit that admin over the following weeks and whilst you get the show ready we’ll get tickets on sale by May 1. We’ll then keep promoting the program and getting the physical booklet out later in the month. 
7. You will probably begin rehearsals by June (you can start sooner if you want, this is totally up to you) and then you’ll be on stage by July.
8. After the festival ends we send out a report with your final box office amount minus the inside ticketing charges and hub fees. 
9. You then send us an invoice to get paid.

1. Readings of theater or written works that are still being finalised.
2. Events with food and storytelling.
3. A silent clowning performance in a public toilet.
4. Events in backyards and even a lounge room.
5. A walking meditation tour.
6. Workshops.
7. Poetry readings.
8. Circus with aerials.
9. An interactive dating show.
10. Full theatre, dance, burlesque and cabaret productions.
11. Art exhibitions with artist talks and openings.
12. Comedy and music.

We’ve supported over 750 shows with 1250+ individual performances in 83 days over 8 years. So we can say that we’ve worked with a huge range of creatives and experiences.

The costs involved with Darwin Fringe Applications are minimal and only one fee is due up front and you can apply for a fee waive to cover this. FEES involved in performing as a part of the Darwin Fringe program are as follows:

1. Registration fee – due after you are accepted into the program, $100 for a show that has 1-2 performances or $150 for a show that has three or more performances. This covers your inclusion in the program both digitally and printed. You can apply for a fee waive during the application. EXAMPLE = If you are putting on two different shows you will have to pay $200, if you are putting on a show that goes for 4 nights then you will have to pay $150.

2. Inside ticketing charges – these go towards covering some of the time that it takes to build and manage your ticket sales. These are deducted from your Box Office income at the end.

Ticket price | Inside ticket charge per ticket

• $5-$15 | $1.50
• $16-$25 | $2.50
• $26-$35 | $3.50
• $36-$45 | $4.50
• $46-$55 | $5.50
• $56+ | $6.50

3. Hub fees – These go towards covering some of the costs that we put towards the managing the venues and technical staff. General applications do not have to pay this fee. This fee is removed from your Box Office income after the inside ticketing charges have been deducted.

• 20% for Brown’s Mart Theatre
• 15% for Brown’s Mart Studio
• 10% for Dom’s Bar & Lounge
• 5% for Brown’s Mart Courtyard or Civic Park

See example below for a show that sold 50 tickets at $20 ($2.50 inside ticketing charge) and performed in Brown’s Mart Theatre.

Total Box Office = $1,000
Remove $125 for inside ticketing charges: $1000 – $125 = $875
Then remove hub charge: $875 – 20% ($175) = $700
You would invoice us for $700.
If you are presenting a show in a general venue then you would invoice us for $875.

Darwin Fringe is a non for profit charity and these fees are essential to our ability to operate. They help cover vital costs such as staffing support, box office costs, bank and payment processing charges. It’s you paying for a service from us as a presenting platform who’ll provide you with advice, promotions, ticketing, volunteers, networking and more. The same way you would pay for advertising efforts for any event, this fee is an investment into a platform that’ll help you grow. We do offer fee waives so please do apply for one if this fee would stop you from participating in Fringe.

Whilst we love giving everyone a go, in order to promote a clear program we do not accept late submissions that are not included in the printed guide. We do not have the resources to take on the extra work and it is confusing to audience members. If you have an event planned for July and you don’t want to compete with our promotions then we recommend signing up for newsletters or following us on social media so you do not miss the application period.

As an open-access festival, the Fringe programs everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros. We hope to continue to build a community of ‘Fringers’ from all walks of life – meeting, collaborating, and enjoying each other’s art.

Fringe is a great chance to share new work and fresh ideas, take artistic risks and hone your confidence. It can help you develop work for bigger stages or longer lives as well as being a simple opportunity to share your talent.

The Fringe is a great opportunity to reach new audiences with your work. Darwin audiences are vocal, fun-loving and supportive.

While we can’t produce your event for you, we will support you to ensure your event is a success! Your registration fee gets you in the program, on the website, and speaking to an actual person. No automated systems or long wait times here!

Shows at the Hub usually have a small run of 2-3 performances and we recommend smaller seasons for other venues as well. This means your show will play to a packed out house and gives you time to participate in the festival as a presenter, audience member and workshop participants.