Part social media, part events space, we've developed Fringe Connect with the needs of artists and industry in mind. Below you'll find an archive of our Fringe 2021 events programme, with recordings in case you want to catch up on anything you missed.
Fringe Connect operates year-round, with new events regularly, so sign up now, free of charge, to make the most of it!
Marketing 101 with Emma Martin Arts Marketing
90mins
What is marketing, what do I need and how can I create a successful marketing plan?
These are questions asked regularly when it comes to creating and producing a show and Emma Martin will introduce attendees to the basics of marketing and her top tips for getting the most out of your show and finding the audiences you need.
Welcome to Fringe Connect
60mins
Join Fringe Society staff as we welcome you to our new platform and show you around. We’ll walk you through the tools and resources available and show you how to find the right events for you, how to add them to your calendar, how to find and chat to other artists and industry and how to make the most of Fringe Connect in August and year-round.
Producing, proper job, honest
60mins
What is a producer? What do they do? What are the pathways into the business? What are the differences between student & professional producing? How do you raise funds? Come along to find the answers to these questions and many more. The world needs more producers – the inventors, entrepreneurs and employers of the future. Join Chris Grady (CGO) and Siobhan Walsh (Stage One) and see how to change the world one show at a time.
The future of digital
90mins
When Covid struck every performer, producer, director and all those in between had to become an overnight expert in filmmaking, cinematography, digital streaming and Zoom! What’s next for digital theatre now that live work is returning? What do we do with the wealth of knowledge and new skill that has been fostered in the past 18 months? Join digital theatre expert Marcus Romer and his brilliant panel of leading women in digital theatre across the UK who have established inventive and innovative ways of creating and collaborating digitally before and during lockdown. Hear their thoughts on shifting trends in both live and digital, both in terms of creation as well as presentation and touring.
The (European) tour must go on! What you need to know now when touring across Europe from the UK
90mins
While international travel remains uncertain and challenging, it is important for artists and other creative professionals to know that we can continue to connect with our European neighbours, artistic colleagues and audiences. Join Arts Infopoint UK, On the Move, and internationally experienced producers and artists to discuss what has changed since the UK’s exit from the EU, and how UK professionals can prepare for future touring in Europe.
How to integrate your international ambitions with climate responsibility
60mins
How we share work internationally is changing in response to current global challenges.
Join Farnham Maltings and Dance4 for some inspiration and practical ideas for more sustainable approaches to touring work abroad from across the fields of theatre and dance. Hear case studies from independent dance artist Rita Marcalo, LIFT, Serious and GIFT.
Are we making an inclusive recovery?
90mins
The UK Disability Arts Alliance formed to challenge the cultural world not to forget about disabled people during the pandemic and presented Designing an Inclusive Recovery at the 2020 Fringe Exchange. Since then their #WeShallNotBeRemoved Campaign has published the Seven Inclusive Principles to support the arts sector deliver an inclusive recovery, but a recent survey of members has also revealed significant threats to the continued participation of creative deaf, disabled and neuro-diverse people in culture. Our panel will explore the survey's disturbing findings and how we can all put the Seven Principles into practice.
Playwright, etc.
60mins
Join Playwrights' Studio, Scotland for an inspiring lecture with award-winning playwright and performer Jo Clifford (Eve; The Gospel According to Jesus Queen of Heaven). Jo has encompassed many roles through her writing career, including translator, mentor, producer, adapter, parent and carer. What has she enjoyed? What has been challenging? What advice would she offer to those also trying to juggle more than one creative role? This lecture is a great opportunity to hear about Jo’s personal career journey, to share in the joys and challenges of being a freelance artist, and to pick up some useful hints and tips on juggling multiple roles.
Dear Venue Programmer: How to approach a venue about your show
60mins
Ever felt like approaching a venue about your show is tougher than writing the piece in the first place? It needn’t be that way. Join us for a 50 minute talk from venue networks across the UK to demystify the process of touring into venues. Aimed at artists, producers and companies new to touring live work in the UK and looking to build relationships with venues, this session will guide attendees through what programmers need to know about your show and what to keep in mind before you begin. There will be an opportunity for questions via the chat feature.
Pop-up theatre events in your community
60mins
An informative 'how to' for artists, venues and community organisers, covering some of the basics to help you on the right track, debunk some assumptions, share tips on your specific questions and warn of common mistakes.
UK venues: Routes to reopening
90mins
Most UK venues have been busy throughout the pandemic working within their communities, but the trickiest moment is trying to re-open their doors and welcome audiences back. How they do that depends on the guidance from the devolved governments of each home nation. That makes things tricky for collaboration and for touring. How do you plan and programme when there is so much uncertainty?
Join Lyn Gardner in discussion with artistic directors from across the UK – Gareth Nicholls from Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre, Jimmy Fay who leads the Lyric in Belfast and Tamara Harvey of Theatr Clwyd to explore their routes to reopening and how the pandemic has impacted how they work.
Regional theatre: How covid opened up the theatre industry
60mins
Covid closures were bad news for theatre but in many ways opened up the industry to people outside of the capital. With performers, theatre-makers and goers across the UK now having access to events online, how can we sustain a less London-centric industry as we open back up?
This panel with regional theatre-makers will be a conversation to lift the lid on what needs to be done to create a more prosperous and opportunity-plenty regional model.
Live comedy streaming is here to stay
90mins
As Covid-19 systematically shut down all performing arts and events venues in 2020 and the world took to their sitting rooms and streaming platforms, live comedy had to quickly adapt to the online world in order to remain relevant. Now, a year and a half into the pandemic, hear how live comedy has not only survived but in many cases thrived in this new digital world.
Join Mark Boosey, editor of British Comedy Guide, and his expert panel as they break down the how and what of live comedy streaming, discuss what venues and comedians can do to get involved and benefit from online opportunities, and how they see this new digital world impacting the future of the industry.
2021 ISPA Series at the Fringe: Public healing
75mins
At ISPA's January congress, Marc Bamuthi Joseph (poet, dad, educator and Vice President and Artistic Director of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center), in conversation with Phloeun Prim (Cambodian Living Arts), posited that what was needed now was not public health but rather public healing. Public healing is actively understanding that we've all been through a psychological trauma, and to think intentionally as to how we invite people back into public spaces including performance venues. Six months later, Marc will revisit that conversation reflecting on the world events that have occurred since and the unique place the arts holds in the public imagination to heal. Following his talk, we will have the opportunity to go into small breakout rooms before convening as a whole for a broader discussion.
International festivals: How we work now
90mins
What does it mean to be an international festival in a world where border closures and travel bans are more widespread than ever before? How can events be truly international when travel restrictions persist and the environmental crisis demands attention? Join our panel of international festivals that have adapted their practices to ensure their international purpose, artists and audiences are maintained and nourished in the face of adversity. Hear how they have reshaped their strategies and how they see the future of festivals.
Sexual harassment in comedy
90mins
How can we make comedy a safer environment for performers? What responsibility do venues or festival organisers have when it comes to sexual harassment? How can comedy be used as part of the solution to sexual harassment in society? Why are these the questions we ask, who asks them and what questions might be better?
Join Dr. Nina Burrowes from The Consent Collective and panellists from the comedy industry in this hour-long panel discussion. The Consent Collective have developed a format called 'Collective Thinking' for holding these kinds of conversations which aim to make the event as safe and interesting as possible for both panellists and the audience. Rather than expecting panellists to have the answers to everything in 'Collective Thinking' events we simply get curious about the questions that get asked on a particular topic area. Often the questions we ask are more powerful than the answers we give.
Producing through covid and beyond
90mins
When Covid hit touring and live performance across the world came to a standstill and has, for the most part, remained that way ever since. For those still producing and touring, the landscape has thoroughly transformed in the past 18 months, and the effects of Covid will continue to influence the way work is produced. Richard Jordan chairs a panel of industry experts who will relay their experiences in producing through Covid and how they are hoping to navigate the world coming out of Covid.
Building a mentally well Fringe
60mins
The Fringe is an exhilarating and energetic month of performance, networking, fun and new experiences for artists, but what do you do when it all becomes too much? Artists and companies put months of work into bringing a show to the Fringe and it can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and physical demand. Join Something To Aim For, Space to Breathe and invited artists as we create an open and safe forum to discuss experiences we’ve all shared and begin to build strategies for a future Fringe that is caring and supportive of artists and their wellbeing. We welcome you to share your own experiences and ideas for what that support might look like.