Skip to main content

VENUES @ HFF: SEARCHING + BOOKING

Executive Staff
Updated

YOUR VENUE SEARCH

Finding a venue to host your work is one of the trickiest and most critical tasks of your Fringe-producing experience. Fortunately, you have several options and lots of ways to find help in your quest. If you ever need pointers, tips, or advice, please email support@hollywoodfringe.org or schedule a one:one meeting with Artist Services to chat it through on a call.

We suggest you begin your search early, the earlier the better!

Remember, Fringe venues can be anywhere: theatres, clubs, bars, restaurants, found spaces, outdoor spaces…anything you have rights/permission to control for the duration of your events/performances/exhibitions.

Some hot tips in looking include:

  1. Start Early: Begin your venue search as early as possible to secure the best options. Now is the time to start looking!
  2. Create a project on the Fringe site: to apply to venues through the Fringe site + message your fellow artists.
  3. Look at HFF vetted venues: Venues can include theatres, clubs, bars, restaurants, found spaces, etc. To see an overview of the spaces currently available during the Fringe, check out this grid. This venue grid will continue to be updated as vetted festival venues add in February.
  4. Explore your options: You may tour as many venues as you please, and we encourage you to look far + wide, but please don't keep a venue on the hook for your dates if you are not interested in booking there.
  5. Don't see one you like? Consider bringing your own venue to the fest: Any venue within the Fringe Zone (boundaries here) that you have legal rights to use and is deemed safe by our venue team is acceptable. The DIY process can be a lengthy, challenging process, so join our BYOV panel to learn more if interested!
  6. Book a Venue: Choose a venue within the Fringe Zone. Contact participating venues through our website or register your own.
  7. Register Your Project: Complete the registration process to secure your spot in the festival before April 15th to be included in the printed guide.
  8. Need Help? Contact support (support@hollywoodfringe.org) for advice or tips on finding and booking a venue. You can even book an artist one:one session for a 30 minute advice call on your best options!

Good luck with your venue search!

GEOGRAPHY

There are certain restrictions on where the venue can be located. All venues must fall in the (approx) square mile area that is central Hollywood. 

  • The Northern boundary is Franklin Ave., running along the bottom of the Hollywood Hills and a block from Hollywood Blvd.
  • Vermont Ave. is the eastern boundary, near studios with histories dating back to the golden years of Hollywood.
  • Rosewood Ave., two blocks south of Melrose, is the southern boundary for the festival.
  • Fairfax Ave., the western boundary, serves as a gateway to West Hollywood and contains numerous shops, restaurants, and venues.

Any venue within that area that you have legal rights to use and is deemed safe by our venue team is acceptable.

Here are some general pointers:

  • The Hollywood/Highland area is the hub of the tourist traffic in Hollywood including a major shopping center and landmarks such as the Chinese Theatre.
  • The strip along Hollywood between Vine and Highland boasts the “Walk of Fame”, also popular amongst tourists.
  • The stretch along Santa Monica Blvd is known as “Theatre Row” and has a wide assortment of theatres.
  • Sunset Blvd. has lots of restaurants, stores, and clubs popular with the after hours set.
  • Cahuenga is a great central route through Hollywood and has a number of shops and restaurants.

Venue Search Pointers:

  1. Hollywood/Highland: The tourist hub with major shopping and landmarks like the Chinese Theatre.
  2. Hollywood Blvd (Vine to Highland): Home to the Walk of Fame, attracting many tourists.
  3. Santa Monica Blvd (Theatre Row): Offers a wide assortment of theatres.
  4. Sunset Blvd: Known for restaurants, stores, and clubs popular in the evening.
  5. Cahuenga Blvd: A central route through Hollywood and has a number of shops and restaurants.

Use these areas as a guide to find the ideal venue for your Fringe project!
 

EXISTING FRINGE VENUES

The best place to start your search is with the venues already participating in the Fringe – most of whom are seeking programming. We’ve invested a lot of time recruiting some of the big players in the neighborhood and getting them excited about Fringe. You can view a list of venues here. Once you have created a project you can apply to one of these venues directly. Feel free to apply to more than one.

Venue Search Tips:

  1. Start with Fringe Venues: Begin with venues already participating in the Fringe, as they are actively seeking programming. View the list here.
  2. Apply Directly: Once your project is ready, apply to these venues. You can apply to multiple venues if desired.
  3. Contact Venue Managers: Reach out directly via phone or email to discuss your project and its fit for their space. A personal touch can be advantageous.
  4. Be Persistent: If your first choice doesn’t work out, keep trying. Persistence and resilience are crucial in securing a venue. 

BRING YOUR OWN VENUE (BYOV)

There is nothing Fringier than finding some abandoned warehouse, loft space, or storefront and temporarily converting it into a Fringe venue. There is a tradition in many Fringe Festivals of this seasonal conversion of a “found space” into an operating venue for artistic projects.

Many budding presenters find/convert a space for their own artistic project, then make deals with other projects to share the costs of maintaining a space (perhaps covering your own rent or even making a profit!). This sort of artistic entrepreneurship is welcome and encouraged. The Fringe will even list your venue on our website to attract applications from other artistic projects.
 

5 STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO BRING YOUR OWN VENUE TO FRINGE: 

  1. Email support@hollywoodfringe.org We will need to be in contact throughout the process 
  2. Have permission (or permitting if necessary) to perform in/at the space. Regarding permissions, we have a form this year to make it easier for you. 
  3. Acquire Insurance (HFF requires that you carry a one-million-dollar General Liability insurance policy and provide a Certificate of Insurance naming Hollywood Fringe as an additional insured before we will approve your venue on the site). We have recs if needed.
  4. A site visit from HFF staff to check for safety and hear your general plan for operating the site. **We are not city inspectors- this is just so we feel comfortable sending Fringe ticket buyers to your space.
  5. You will need to create a venue on the Fringe website (When you are ready, you can begin the process by registering a venue here). At this time, you will need to know all the details about your production location and proof of insurance. From there, you will act as the “venue manager,” scheduling your shows on the website and in June, maintaining the safety and organization of the audience on-site. HFF staff will walk you through how to schedule performances.

"BYOV" style Fringing requires extra communication with Fringe staff. You are now a Fringe venue manager- so it’s like wearing two hats at Fringe. To start this process, email support@hollywoodfringe.org

Important Venue Guidelines:

  1. City Permitting Costs: Be aware that city permitting costs may apply, depending on your location. These are the producer’s responsibility.
  2. Site-Specific or Immersive Shows: If your show involves traveling or immersive elements, it must start and end at a physical address within the Fringe Zone. Ensure this address is approved by the owner.
  3. Fringe Zone Requirements:
    • Venues must be within the Fringe Zone (details above).
    • The venue must be legally available for use and deemed safe by HFF.

For more details or questions, contact support@hollywoodfringe.org.

CUT A DEAL!

This avenue is particularly useful for local producers – or producers tapped into the local scene. Do you have an existing relationship with a venue? Is that coffee shop you always go to in Hollywood interested in housing your Fringe act to attract more foot traffic? Many Fringe artists manage to obtain spaces for free by approaching existing businesses in the Fringe area and selling them on how a partnership with your artistic project is a “win, win” situation – it works for both the venue and your project.

Hit the streets, ask for managers at local institutions, wheel, deal, and seek out opportunities!

ADDING PERFORMANCE DATES/TIMES TO YOUR PROJECT PAGE

Once your application has been approved, the venue's manager will add your performance(s) to your project page on their end. Be mindful that this may take a moment as these venue managers are often scheduling many performances and shows across multiple spaces. Once the performances are live on the website, to make any changes you can contact your venue manager and support@hollywoodfringe.org

IN CONCLUSION

Don’t be intimidated, there are lots of people here that want to help you succeed. The work is hard but the rewards are worth it. Fringe shows are fun to attend and doubly fun to produce. We are here to help you, so if you ever have a question, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Related articles