The cost of your Fringe experience can be a difficult thing to predict. Here is a handy guide on how to make smart financial choices and have the best Fringe experience possible! We recommend being very conservative in your estimates about how many people will come to your show when making your budget.
You can view sample Fringe budgets here.
VENUE RENT
Venue rent ranges wildly. Some venues may provide free spaces in exchange for 100% of the box office or the guarantee of a free admittance show. Venues generally charge between $150-$500 a performance depending on the time slot (some more, some less). It is really a measure of the deal you can cut with your venue. When dealing with venues, state your budget and how many shows you’d like. Work with them to create the best deal for all parties involved and make sure to sign a contract!
REGISTRATION
Fringe Registration Fees:
- $425 for paid/ticketed and/or multi-performance shows
- $225 for shows that are either free or one-time performances (or both)
- You may register an educational event for $0 if you have already registered another show
MARKETING
You will probably want to save some money in your budget for marketing your show. This may include the following outlets:
- Reserve an ad in the Fringe guide or website
- Promote through one of our media partners (we will provide discounted options in our upcoming participant packet)
- Buy an ad on Google/Facebook
Note that there are many marketing outlets that are totally free including creating a Facebook page, posting on Twitter and Instagram attending digital fringe social programs, discord and email blasts. You can also partner with other shows to cross-promote; Office Hours & Discord can be great places to make connections that will be mutually beneficial. Get creative and save money!
PRODUCTION
Every show will have different production needs – it’s up to you to develop the perfect show for your budget. In the spirit of most Fringes, production costs tend to be low to place the emphasis on the performers and the work.
Make sure to insure your production. Insurance can sometimes be covered by your venue (make sure to ask!).
You may think that an easy way to compensate for production costs is to raise your ticket price. We highly recommend keeping ticket prices as low as possible to ensure that you attain an audience in this competitive atmosphere. Ticket prices usually average out at $12 and many producers find that a lower price or a Pay What You Can option brings in bigger audiences. Remember that in a digital theatre you don't have to worry about occupancy, selling more tickets at a lower cost can be more financially effective.
MAKING MONEY/BREAKING EVEN
In all cases, if you do your work promoting your show properly and budget according to your needs, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t at least break even and hopefully leave the Fringe with more in your pocket than a fantastic experience with a like-minded community.