Applications for the first-ever FROST BITES festival are ONLINE NOW.
And the application deadline is fast-approaching: due SEPTEMBER 4th
We are so pleased to be partnering with The Cotton Factory, a former industrial building in the heart of the lower city. The unique and expansive site is now home to a myriad of offices, galleries, and studio spaces occupied by members of the local creative industries.
A series of curated shows will be presented in adapted performance sites throughout the venue and grounds from February 11-14, 2016. Planned and produced by the members of the ALERT emerging artists program, this event promises to be unconventional, engaging, and a whole lot of FUN!
In 2015, the Fringe welcomed artists from the local scene and from as far away as Spain! The festival hosted 44 shows in 11 venues, with a diverse range of subjects and forms- from musicals and comedies, to children's puppet shows, political dramas, and contemporary dance. It was an action-packed 11 days in downtown Hamilton.
The 2015 Fringe marked some important milestones:
▪ Record advance ticket sales (online ticket sales surpassed 2015 numbers by the first day of the festival!) More people are getting tickets in advance- ensuring that they get in to the shows they really want to see! ▪ Increased attendance at the Family Fringe activities! ▪ Gallery shows graduating to the main stage: the gallery series is becoming a development ground for artists launching new ideas!
This year, the Fringe returned $62,496 to artists.
After two years of rapid growth- with audiences increasing by nearly 50% in 2013 and again in 2014, this year's Box Office revenue marked a 15% decrease when compared to the previous year.
This summer the Fringe dates coincided directly with the dates for the Pan Am Games. We had hoped this would help increase audiences- but it seemed in fact to have had a negative effect on our attendance.
With no major sports events planned in the city next year, we plan to make a strong comeback! The festival will run from July 14-24, 2016.
Mark it in your calendars!
Stay tuned: 2016 Fringe Applications go online in the fall.
The festival is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Festival Awards:
BEST OF FRINGE:
Much Ado About Nothing (Make Art Theatre)
CRITICS CHOICE AWARD:
Rukmini's Gold (Red Betty Theatre)
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD:
Bloom (Kintsukuroi Productions in association with Hammer Entertainment)
BEST IN VENUE Hamilton Theatre Inc:
Cave 10 (BlackJar Productions)
Citadel Theatre:
The Princess of Porn: The Musical (Me and Snow White Productions)
Theatre Aquarius:
Much Ado About Nothing (Make Art Theatre)
Mills Hardware:
The Happiest Story I Know (Zak McDonald)
Best of BYOVs:
THE COCKWHISPERER…A Love Story (Colette Kendall)
Best of Gallery mini-Series:
The Rabbit Done Died (Mooncalf Theatre)
Our 12 year old jury give thumbs up to the shows at the Fringe!
The Box Toronto is proud to present the third annual One More Night Festival. It is one more chance to see some of the most in-demand and successful productions from the GTA, Hamilton and beyond. From Patron’s Pick and Critic’s Choice, to Sold-Out houses and rave reviews, these shows are red hot and ready to perform one more time at The Box Toronto, September 10th - 13th.
The programming this year includes some gems that were a part of the Hamilton Fringe:
Myra’s Story (PrACTical TheACTrics),
Kneel! Diamond Dogs (Mikeylikesit Productions),
The Princess of Porn: The Musical (Me and Snow White Productions)
Homeschool Dropout (Red Pants Productions)
