2022 NSN Online Virtual Fringe Application
Submission Deadline: midnight CST on Sunday, October 10, 2021
The NSN Fringe is back for its 15th Season, online for 2022 with a 6-month season.
We still begin with the question: do you want to present 30 or 55 minutes of your most compelling, riskiest, experimental or work-in-progress storytelling? How about joining forces to create an ensemble performance event? Think of all the possibilities: 30 or 55 minutes of autobiography, performance art, folktales, stand-up, puppetry, dance or your favorite long-form story!
What is the Fringe? The NSN Fringe follows the standard Fringe Festival model by providing the opportunity for you to experience many aspects of a typical Fringe Festival including the selection process and performance framework. Of note this year: a modest application fee ($10) and revised artist payouts based on the number of audience members. Both of these are similar to traditional fringe festivals.
Fringe Lottery Instructions
To enter the 2022 Online NSN Fringe Lottery, please fill out the attached form with:
- Your name, address, phone, website, & email information for a solo show
All of the tellers’ names and contact information for an ensemble performance event.
- Length of performance slot you are applying for: 25-30 minutes or 50-55 minutes.
- Title of your program/performance event.
- Maximum 60-word description of the program/performance event.
- Fringe Standard Category Identification(s): (select all that apply) adult, family, solo, improvisational, ensemble, dance, etc. [Example: a single storyteller presenting a family program selects both “family” and “solo.” Use “family” to identify a program suitable for children.]
- If appropriate, Fringe Standard Content Warning(s): (select all that apply) adult language, adult subject matter, violence. Please note that we will not allow hate speech or nudity on NSN virtual platforms.
- Preferred/possible dates and times/
- Whether you would like to perform live or submit a pre-recorded performance.
- Preferred format: webinar (you can’t see the audience, and they can’t interrupt) or meeting (you can see the audience, but the opportunities for interruptions increase).
Submission Deadline
Electronic submissions – Midnight CST on October 10, 2021.
Lottery
In keeping with the Fringe principle of an un-juried selection process, Fringe performers for the 2022 NSN Fringe will be selected by lottery at the “Spooked” Slam on October 23rd at 7:00 PM Central.
The Fine Print:
Submissions
You may submit one application for the 2022 NSN Fringe, either as a solo or an ensemble, but not both. The NSN fringe is not limited to only storytelling – spoken word, dance, music, and performance art are also welcome.
Artist Benefits
NSN provides each selected fringe slot with:
- Promotion of the materials you provide on social media and in our newsletter
- A technician to run the technical aspects of the performance
- Artist payout, as listed below
- Support materials and resources
- Online platform for the performance
- Inclusion in the NSN Digital Library
Artist Payout
Each fringe show will be paid based on a 50/50% split of audience tickets sold. Each fringe show with more than one performer will determine how payouts should be distributed among performers. No additional artist payouts will be made for viewings of recordings in the Virtual Library.
Notification of Selection
The lottery drawing will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 directly proceeding the NSN Story Slam. You may watch the drawing live from the NSN Facebook page for free at approximately 7:00pm CST. You will receive an email from the Fringe Committee within 48 hours of the lottery with the official results. Applicants will be assigned slots based on date/time preferences in the order in which they are drawn. This means that if both slots are filled for the date you request, your show will be assigned to another mutually agreed date.
Deadline for Acceptance
Within two weeks of notification, you will need to confirm your participation.
Waiting List
More names than available performance slots will be drawn for a waiting list and will be moved from the waiting list as performance slots become available.
Eligibility
Performing in the NSN Fringe is a member benefit. You do not need to be an NSN member to apply, but you will be required to join NSN to perform. NSN members, including Board and Committee members, are eligible to participate in the lottery and perform. All applications require a $10 fee. Scholarships are available for those unable to afford the $10 fee. Please contact for more information.
Performers who presented on-line Fringes in 2020 or are scheduled for the 2021 Fringe performance dates are not eligible for the 2022 season.
You must reapply for each NSN Fringe. No applications from previous years will be held over.
Performing Space
All Fringe performances will be held online via Zoom, Big Marker, or a similar web-based platform. Performers are responsible for their own lighting, sound, and internet quality. NSN will provide a technician to run the meeting and introduce you and your performance. All performers are required to log into the online platform 30 minutes before the performance begins for a brief tech check.
Performance Schedule
Each Fringe date has two time slots available – 5:00 and 7:00 PM. You may select multiple dates and times but will only be scheduled for one date and one time slot. Time limits will be strictly observed as this track is intended to serve as an opportunity for storytellers (performers and audience members alike) to experience Fringe Festival requirements.
Content
Fringe performances are not pre-screened or censored, with a few exceptions. We expect you to indicate difficult or potentially offensive material in the content warnings. Content disclaimers (warnings) are to be shown in all advertising and any other digital media. Total nudity, explicit sexual contact, are not allowed. Male and female genitals and female breasts must be covered. Public speech that expresses hate or encourages violence towards a person or group based on something such as race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation is not allowed.
Sign-offs
As part of confirming your participation, you must agree to the following:
1) Content policy. Total nudity, explicit sexual contact, and hate speech are forbidden in NSN Fringe performances as spelled out above.
2) NSN Disclaimer with the following text: “The National Storytelling Network (NSN) is not responsible or liable for the form and content of this performance: these are the sole responsibility of the individual performer(s).”
Audience
NSN Fringe Performances will be open to NSN members and the general public.
Promotion
In keeping with Fringe Festival tradition, if you want an audience, you should promote your performance. The Fringe Committee recommends that you NOT rely solely on advertising from NSN, but utilize additional promotion. Plan your promotion and submit your digital image to NSN at least 30 days before your performance. Digital images must include: NSN logo, your show image, title, ticket registration link, date & time. You may also want to include your show description and consider other forms of digital promotion such as creating a Facebook event. If you want your image included in the NSN newsletter, submit it no later than the 25th day of the month before your performance. We recommend Canva.com as a free online tool to create promotional material.
NSN Virtual/Digital Library
While providing digital content, NSN has found that viewers appreciate having an option to re-watch a show they loved or view something they missed. Our Virtual Library is a way to both provide this service and help to create a small passive income stream for NSN. We hope that this library will help us along the path toward financial sustainability. Since we do not know how much income will be generated from this endeavor, we are asking artists to allow us to use their recordings for a set time without additional payments. This allows us to assess the sustainability of the library service while avoiding spending dozens of hours of staff time cutting royalty checks to artists for insignificant amounts (like $5 per person).
All fringe recordings will be added to NSN’s Virtual Library for a period of four years. You will retain the copyright for your performance, and will give NSN permission to sell viewing access to your performance through the library. You will also be provided with a copy of the recording to use/sell/distribute as you see fit. Other than the payment mentioned above for live audience members, you will not be compensated for NSN’s use of the video. You understand that you may use your copy of your individual performance video in any way you like. After four years, any use of the video by NSN must be renegotiated by both parties.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to perform your new, old, in progress, lively, risky, long-form, or experimental work with NSN’s support. Submit your application today!
Submission Deadline: Midnight CST on Sunday, October 10, 2021