Upcoming projects
We are excited to announce THE 2026 UNNATURAL DISASTER FRINGESHIP PRODUCTION PROGRAM! 🎉
We are also jazzed to announce the inaugural year of THE DANIEL NWOBI SOLO SHOW FUND! 🏆
The Fringeship Production Program could not be done without our wonderful sponsor Shoppers Drugmart.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: March 13th at 11:59pm Atlantic WHAT IS FRINGESHIP?
Now in its fourth year- this groundbreaking and unparalleled initiative provides financial support, production mentorship, and so much more to emerging artists (regardless of age, background, or level of training/ experience) who wish to produce their first Halifax Fringe show in 2026. Past Fringeship projects include: The America Show by Jessie Walker, Something Missing by Lawson Hannaford, Sticky Business by Tip Finless w/ Théâtre DesAssimilés, Eucharist by Sarah Tardif, and Beautiful Huge New Property Coming Soon Right Here by Charlie Maclean and Emma Chapman-Lin! These eclectic projects have won awards, been remounted, and Something Missing went on a professional tour across NS in Spring 2025!
The Fringe is wonderful but can be A LOT to navigate. We believe it is our responsibility to uplift and welcome new artists into our theatre community, and what better way than through Fringeship?!
To apply you can fill out the form below (please contact us by DM or email to “artisticdirector@unnaturaldisaster.ca” if you could benefit from accessibility support or if you encounter any barriers to completing the form)!
We are happy to schedule a casual video call with you to go through the form questions if that is more comfortable for you than filling it out- just reach out! ☺️
Still have questions? Please feel free to reach out by DM or email!
THREE STREAMS OF FRINGESHIP in 2026
This year for the first time there are three different streams you can apply for (and please feel free to be considered for more than one)!
1) The Fringeship Production Program This is our flagship initiative and is open to absolutely any type of show in any venue/BYOV at The Halifax Fringe Festival.
2) The Fringeship Production Program - BYOV This stream will be preferentially offered for Fringe shows which will be performed as "Bring your own Venue" at a site specific location.
3) The Daniel Nwobi Solo Show Fund Generously sponsored by acclaimed Nova Scotian artist Daniel Nwobi- this new program is looking to support the creation and production of a solo show at the Halifax Fringe Festival in any venue/BYOV.
WHO CAN APPLY?
This program is open to ANYONE who has never produced their own show at the Halifax Fringe before. We will be prioritizing artists from Nova Scotia, but will gladly accept applications from anywhere in the world! You can apply as an individual, a duo, or as a collective of any size! Feel free to dream big!
We welcome submissions from artists of all genders, ethnicities, abilities and identities, and are especially interested in offering support to those who self-identify as IBPOC, LGBT@2S+, d/Deaf, living with disabilities, and/or facing other systemic challenges in our industry.
WHAT KIND OF PROJECT CAN I APPLY WITH?
UDTCo. "As a collective, The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Co. is particularly interested in producing environmentally sustainable immersive and site specific theatre that explores social justice and stories about the natural world! We also love puppetry and music. With all that being said- we are open to ANY project for this program and are excited about the potential challenge of helping to bring unconventional theatre to life!"
THE DANIEL NWOBI SOLO SHOW FUND "This exciting new stream of Fringeship sponsored by Daniel Nwobi is looking to specifically uplift solo shows of any kind. These productions traditionally only feature one performer on stage but may include many behind the scenes. If you have a two-hander or other project you feel is close to meeting the qualifications please don't hesitate to still apply! Daniel wants to do his part to support creatives in the Nova Scotia theatre community"!
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?
The selected artist(s) will receive:
•One on one virtual and/or in person production support from UDTCo. Artistic Director, Logan Robins, as well as guidance through the whole Fringe process! This may include (but is not limited to) guidance for applying, budgeting, scheduling, casting, marketing, social media, sponsorship, accessibility, production management, venue support, box office management, and other administrative tasks! We want to help you make your show a resounding SUCCESS!
•As producers, we will advertise and actively promote your show on the UDTCo. website, instagram, and facebook!
•The recipient of The Daniel Nwobi Solo Show Fund will, in addition to the above offerings, receive 1:1 support from acclaimed Nova Scotian artist Daniel Nwobi who is excited to support the creation, dramaturgy, and production of this project.
•The recipient of the Fringeship Production Program will receive a $500 honorarium.
•The recipient of the Fringeship Production Program- BYOV will receive a $500 honorarium.
•The recipient of the Daniel Nwobi Solo Show Fund will receive $300.
•A percentage of all honorariums will be reserved to donate the equivalent of 10% of your total box office profits to a local indigenous organization, on your behalf, as a part of UDTCo's Acknowledgement to Action Initiative.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
Fill out this form in whatever way feels best for you! There is no pressure to hit a certain word count. There are no magic answers! Just write from your heart and let us get to know you a little bit!
All we are really seeking with applicants is that you be a passionate theatre maker who is excited and committed to producing your first Fringe show! It can be a lot of work to produce your own show- but also a lot of fun (and an amazing and valuable experience).
All you need to do, if accepted, is work with us to bring your project to life, acknowledge The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Co. and, depending on which stream you are accepted into, acknowledging AD Logan Robins and/or Daniel Nwobi for any dramaturgical/production support, and acknowledging our sponsors.
Upon completion of the program we will request a brief write up and your budget so we can continue to improve the program and learn about what is working! 😊
Once accepted into this program we can discuss next steps. We strive to make this program bespoke to each applicant to best support you!
SUPPORT UNNATURAL DISASTER
If you are interested in supporting us in our mission to support emerging artists- we are happy to accept e-transfers to artisticdirector@unnaturaldisaster.ca. All of the funds raised will go directly to supporting our work to continue creating radically accessible and immersive theatre while supporting emerging artists! Please also feel free to send us an email if you have questions or wish to support us in other ways!
We'll see you at the Fringe! 🌍