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2008 Indoor Performing Companies
If you have been accepted to the 2008 festival, please log-in here.

This information is for anyone who wants to mount a performance in a regular indoor Fringe venue which will be provided and maintained by the Festival and shared with other performers.

WHAT YOU DO
• You select your material (theatre, improv, dance, performance art, variety, etc.).
• You secure the rights for your production, if the play is not an original piece.
• You send in the application form along with the application fee.

• You rehearse and mount your production.
• You arrive with everything needed for your show (props, sets, costumes, stage manager, ideas on lighting and sound cues, etc.)
• You should be prepared to do promotion for your show (press releases, posters, handbills, on-site promotions and anything else that will help draw attention to your show). The Fringe publicist will market the entire Festival, and will help out individual companies as much as possible.
• You show up to your technical rehearsal fully prepared. Layout your set, run sound and lighting cues and if you have prepared sufficiently there should be enough time for a dress rehearsal.
• You show up on time for performances, do your show, strike, collect your receipts and head on down to the beer tent and mingle with the other performers, staff, volunteers and patrons.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU
• We provide a venue (from 100-300 seats) equipped with lighting, sound, stage, masking, seating risers and chairs.
• We provide each company with one technician. (Companies should provide a stage manager)
• We provide tickets, ticket sellers and ushers.
• We provide exposure for your show by printing and distributing our Festival Program.
• We schedule your performances (6-9 depending on your application category) and include your show in the Fringe Program guide with your show description, graphic and show times.
• We sell advance tickets starting one month prior to the festival.
• We publicize the Festival and co-ordinate media interviews for the companies.
• We will schedule a 2 to 3 hour technical rehearsal in your venue so you can setup and run through your show.
• Most importantly, we return 100% of the box office receipts to you the performing company (You set the ticket price, up to a maximum of $9.00).

APPLICATION METHOD
The Winnipeg Fringe Festival only accepts online applications, which will be available starting Nov. 1, 2007. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Festival office at the number or address below.

Performers will be accepted into the Fringe via lottery on December 19, 2007. All valid applications (must be accompanied by payment) will be entered into the lottery. Those applicants who do not receive a slot in the Fringe through the lottery will be placed on a wait list.

The Winnipeg Fringe Festival uses the following quota system, and the lottery will be conducted to maintain these participant ratios:

•50% Manitoban
•30% Canadian
•20% International

LIMIT OF ONE APPLICATION PER COMPANY

Only ONE application per company will be accepted by the Fringe Festival for inclusion in our selection lottery. If a company is found to have submitted more than one application, ALL applications will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.

Application fee payments must be received by December 11, 2007 to be eligible for the December 19, 2007 selection lottery.

Payment may be made by VISA or MasterCard, money order, or a cheque (payable to Manitoba Theatre Centre) mailed or delivered to the Fringe Office at 174 Market Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0P8. Credit card payments may be made through secure online payment with your application, over the phone (204-934-0308), or by fax (204-947-3741). If you wish to fax in your credit card payment, please print the credit card fax payment form below, fill out and fax to the number indicated.

We do not accept credit card information via e-mail to ensure your credit card security. You may submit credit card information online through our secure online application.

Once submitted, your payment will be processed immediately and will show on your statement as a charge from Manitoba Theatre Centre.

· This category is for companies presenting indoor shows for kids aged 12 and under.

· There are 6 slots reserved for this category (3 local, 2 national, 1 international).

· Ticket price restrictions: children (12 & under) $5.00 maximum; all others $9.00 maximum.

· The application fee for Kids Fringe indoor performing companies is $305.00 including GST.

· The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is currently in the process of booking a kids venue that will run daily from 11am-7pm during the length of the festival.

TEEN FRINGE ***NEW***

The 2008 Winnipeg Fringe will see the introduction of a Teen Fringe designation that will promote teen oriented theatre. This category is being introduced to develop new audiences for the Fringe and to help fill the gap between Kids Fringe and regular adult Fringe programming.

Performing companies that are accepted into the festival may identify their production as a Teen Fringe show. These productions must specifically deal with teen issues and/or be directed specifically towards a teen-aged audience.

Teen Fringe shows will receive specific recognition in the Official Fringe Program, distinct marketing recognition, and other possible promotional opportunities.

· All withdrawals from the Festival must be made in writing or e-mail by the company's primary contact.

· A company may withdraw from the waiting list at any time and receive a full refund.

· A company that has been accepted into the Festival and withdraws on or before April 4, 2008 will be returned 50% of their application fee. A company that withdraws after April 4, 2008 will forfeit their entire application fee.

· The maximum ticket price is $9.00 for all companies. Exception: Kids Fringe Category - maximum ticket price for children (12 & under) is $5.00; maximum ticket price for adults (over 12) is $9.00.

· Companies will set their own ticket price(s) and discount structure which will be published in the Festival Program.

· The Fringe charges a $1.75 surcharge on all advance ticket orders to cover the overhead costs of such sales but the entire face value of the ticket is returned to the artist.

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival offers patrons 3 different gift certificates that are valid for at-the-door sales only. They cannot be used to purchase Advance Tickets. They do not guarantee admission to a venue. Patrons are encouraged to go early to avoid disappointment.

The Frequent Fringer is $65.00 + $4.00 surcharge (taxes included). This allows patrons to see 10 shows for the cost of $6.50 per show (directly back to the company). Frequent Fringers can only be redeemed in person by the cardholder at the venue and are not transferable. A holder of a Frequent Fringer has committed to attending 10 performances at the Fringe. The Frequent Fringer gift certificate is non-refundable.

THE BUDDY PASS GIFT CERTIFICATE
The Buddy Pass is $91.00 + $4.00 surcharge (taxes included). This allows 2 patrons to purchase a pass together and between them see 14 shows for the cost of $6.50 per show (directly back to the company). The Buddy Pass can only be redeemed in person by one or both of the named pass holders. This offers patrons flexibility while committing them to receive 14 admittances between them. The Buddy Pass is non-refundable.

The Admit 2 pass encourages current Fringers to invite new audiences to attend Fringe for the first time. The cost of this pass is $14.00 + $2.00 surcharge (taxes included). This offers the new patron their choice of show, date, and time to attend the fringe hopefully enticing them to continue to support the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. This pass pays $7.00 directly back to the company per admittance.

For more info on the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival Passes and policies, please contact the Fringe Coordinator at fringe@mtc.mb.ca.

TAXES
We know that nobody wants to think about them, but here is some basic information so that you can prepare properly for the Fringe and avoid any last minute confusion or difficulties. Our role here is simply to provide you with as much information as we can, but it is your responsibility to meet the requirements of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency with regard to your production. The festival cannot assume any responsibility for the application of taxes, levies or possible tax exemptions associated with revenues you generate while performing here.

GST (Federal Goods and Services Tax)
The GST is a 5% tax on all goods and services in Canada. All companies must remit this tax where applicable. As of 1999, Canadian companies/individuals earning less than $30,000 a year did not have to charge and remit this tax. All international companies must charge and remit GST, but they can apply for a refund. For information please call the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Please click here for CCRA contact information regarding this.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/contact/gsthstnonres-e.html

Federal Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Regulation 105) for non-Canadian Performers

This is the Federal Government's form of income tax for non-residents. International groups can apply for a waiver which allows performers to earn a base amount that is non-taxable. Last year the basic exemption was $15,000 for American artists and $5,000 for other foreign artists. Registered non-profit groups from Britain may apply for a complete exemption.

Companies may apply as a single entity claiming expenses against projected revenues, but this may not be as advantageous as claiming individually. Applicants should apply for this waiver at the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) office in the city of their first stop on the Fringe circuit at least one month before they arrive. CCRA will forward the waiver instructions from Fringe to Fringe. We have had some difficulties with communications from CCRA offices in other cities and for this reason we strongly suggest that you forward us a copy of your waiver application and first waiver letter from CCRA in advance of your arrival in Winnipeg.

If a company does not apply for a waiver, the Fringe is required to withhold 15% of your ticket revenues and the performers/company will have to apply for a refund from CCRA at the end of the year.

For a Regulation 105 Waiver Application Form in PDF format, click on the link below or for more information or contact the International Tax Services Office:

PERMITS
All international companies must acquire the necessary visa and work permits required by the Government of Canada. The Winnipeg Fringe Festival takes no responsibility for the actions taken by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency in the event that the performing group has not acquired the necessary permits.

Canada is a signatory to many international agreements limiting trade in rare or endangered plants and animals. If your show requires props or costumes made from traditional materials (furs, skins, animal parts, plants or plant products), we strongly suggest that you contact Canadian Customs in advance of your arrival to ensure such materials are permitted. We cannot be responsible for such materials confiscated at the border as protected or banned materials.

BILLETING
The Fringe Festival will try to provide a billet for those performers who will require accommodations. A billeting form will be mailed to all performers accepted into the Fringe. If you would like the Fringe to assist in finding a billet or other accommodations for you, please return the form as soon as possible. The Fringe does not guarantee a billet placement and encourages performers to arrange their own accommodations if possible.

1) The maximum ticket price a performing company can charge is $9.00. Exception: Kids Fringe Category - maximum ticket price for children (12 & under) is $5.00; maximum ticket price for adults (over 12) is $9.00.

2) Performing companies will receive $6.50 per Frequent Fringer or Buddy Pass and $7.00 per Admit 2 Pass redeemed for their show.

3) The Winnipeg Fringe guarantees performing companies will be scheduled a minimum of 5-7 performances during the festival, provided they have minimal scheduling conflicts.

4) Application fee payment must be made by December 11, 2007 for all regular companies. Any applicants who have not paid their application fee by December 11, 2007 will have their application pulled from the lottery and voided.

5) All indoor performing companies that receive a spot in the festival must pay a Performance Guarantee Deposit of $150.00, due no later than March 3, 2008. This deposit is 100% refundable and will be returned to performing companies after they have completed their first performance of the festival. Companies that withdraw from the festival after the program has gone to print will not be refunded their deposit.

7) Companies accepted into the festival cannot sell or transfer their right to perform to another party. If a company is found to have sold its space, both companies will be removed from the festival and the original application fee will be forfeited.

8) The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival reserves the right to cancel confirmed applications should circumstances arise which, in the opinion of festival staff, interfere with the mounting of a production or the festival as a whole.

9) The festival will accept no liability for performance cancellations as a result of natural phenomena or the actions of third parties or as a performance venue’s limitations for any particular purpose. The festival makes no guarantee whatsoever regarding the suitability of any particular venue for performance presentation. In the event of a loss of a venue (or an unforeseen loss of festival revenue needed to operate a venue) the festival reserves the right to cancel the performances in that venue. In such circumstances, groups affected will have the option of submitting to the waiting list or withdrawing from the festival with a full refund of their application fee.

10) The Fringe Festival collects and processes performer box office receipts as a volunteer service only. Any liability for the loss or theft of box office revenue at any time is borne solely by the performing company.

11) All performing companies agree to adhere to the laws of Manitoba and Canada, and the policies, procedures and safety restrictions of the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival which may vary from time to time. All companies are obligated to act in the best interest of the festival as a whole at all times. The Winnipeg Fringe Festival reserves the right to cancel any or all performances of any performing company not adhering to these regulations.

13) Submission of this application and subsequent payment shall indicate you have read all the information written in this application and your acceptance of the terms and conditions contained herein.

1) Should you wish to withdraw your application prior to the lottery on December 19, 2007, you will be refunded your entire application fee.

2) After the lottery, all companies placed on the waiting list may withdraw at any time prior to acceptance and receive a 100% refund of their application fee.

3) Any companies who are awarded a spot in the 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival may choose to withdraw on or before April 4, 2008 and are eligible to receive a refund of 50% of their application fee. Any companies awarded a spot in the 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival that choose to withdraw after April 4, 2008 will forfeit their entire application fee to the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

4) The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival will also charge a $50.00 fee for any performance cancelled by the company after May 23, 2008.

1) NSF charges: You will be charged $25.00 for returned cheques and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival will not accept another cheque for payment. You may then pay by credit card or money order. If payment of both the application fee and the NSF fee has not been received by the December 11, 2007 deadline, your application will be considered void and will not be entered into the lottery.

2) The Winnipeg Fringe Festival’s program is the major marketing tool for our festival. We have strict deadlines which ensure that the program goes to the printers in time to go on sale in June. Respecting these deadlines is imperative, therefore, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival reserves the right to charge $35.00 for any changes made to program copy after May 16, 2008.

· Please read the above information to ensure you understand all rules and conditions before submitting your application.

· Please review your application carefully and ensure your information is correct before sending it in.

· Required information is indicated with an asterisk and the form will not be sent unless these are completed.

· All valid applications will be entered into the lottery to be held on Dec. 19, 2007.

· Those companies that are drawn in the lottery will receive a slot in the festival.

· All companies will receive an email notified of their application status after the lottery is held.

· Any company on the waiting list can withdraw at any time and will be refunded 100% of their application fee.

CONFIRMATION THAT YOU ARE FRINGING IN WINNIPEG
The Fringe will send an email to all applicants informing them of their application status after the lottery. All international companies are responsible for acquiring their own work permits and visas. The Fringe will provide a letter of invitation to the companies accepted into the Festival, but this does not guarantee entry into Canada. The Fringe will forward a technical questionnaire and program copy form to those performers accepted into the Fringe.

I have read, understand and agree to the above terms and conditions and want to apply to the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival as an indoor performer.