The Edinburgh fringe is the world’s largest, oldest and most renowned open-access arts festival. It’s an event like no other: where artists don’t need to wait for an invitation; where anyone with a story to tell is welcome; where there’s no curator, no vetting and no barriers. Just talent from over the world.
The impetus to perform at the fringe is as diverse as the festival itself. Big names return year after year to play to packed houses, while others come to take the first steps of their career, learn their craft, challenge themselves with an intense schedule and exhibit their work to the world’s media and arts industry professionals. The fringe is a level playing field, with emerging artists rubbing shoulders with established stars and where new material and new approaches can be tried and tested.
This year Edinburgh will see 50,459 performances of 3,314 shows across 313 venues. But how do those who invest their heart, soul and money into bringing a show here get the very most out of it? Here are my top tips and some useful resources – most are free and open to anyone involved in a show in the fringe programme, which is curated by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, for which I’m chief executive.
Bring your best to work
Fringe audiences talk to each other and word of mouth is the best way to fill seats. If they’ve had a good time they’ll pass that on, so focus on the quality of the work, give your audiences a good time and enjoy the experience.
Use Fringe Central
Fringe Central is your home away from home – a place for you to relax on the sofas, use the free Wi-Fi, hire reduced-rate rehearsal space and meet other performers.
Take a walk
Edinburgh is a city full of stunning landscapes and scenery. To relax, I like to walk down the Water of Leith to the shore, tackle Arthur’s Seat or visit the beach at Portobello. They are great places to go to get some head space and fresh air during a crazy, busy time. It’s also healthy to take a breather from a project you’re so close to.
Pace yourself
The fringe is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking regular time out is the best way to avoid burning out and Fringe Central hosts a variety of health and wellbeing sessions, offering massages, emotional health advice, as well as voice and movement clinics. All of these are completely free to anyone who’s taking part in a fringe show.
Check out the events programme
At Fringe Central we host more than 85 free events to help develop performance skills, offer advice, expand networks and advance careers. They’re all free and open to anyone involved in the fringe programme.
These events cover a range of topics including starting out, touring, wellbeing, finance, accessibility and equality, as well as issues such as how to sell your show and get the right people in to see it.
See other work and support other artists
Making the time to see other shows will allow you to take time out and enjoy the festival while supporting other performers and companies. It’s a great way to network and make friends too.
One-to-one media and marketing advice
The fringe media team are also available to provide advice on all aspects of a campaign, whether it’s your first show at the fringe or you’re a regular. They can advise which media to target, how to flyer effectively and how to create a buzz on social media, as well as to how to get last-minute bums on seats for a quiet performance. They’re great to speak to in a crisis!
Get the right industry pros to see your show
Accredited programmers, producers and promoters use the Arts Industry Office to help navigate the festival. The team there can advise on which industry professionals are in town, what they’re looking to book and how best to approach them.
Know where to go for advice
The venues and companies team can assist with impartial and confidential guidance on all aspects of your time at the fringe, including legal issues, stakeholder conflicts and can be a general sounding board for any concerns.
Don’t just take my advice
Ever-so-talented live artist Bryony Kimmings has penned a handy blog with tips following her own experiences at the fringe. Unlimited offer brilliant advice for all things access related and Playwright Studio Scotland offers support to the country’s up-and-coming playwrights.
At the fringe? Share your tips and resources below the line
Kath Mainland is chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
Join our community of arts, culture and creative professionals by signing up free to the Guardian Culture Pros Network.
