BorderLight International Theatre + Fringe FestivalBorderLight's vision is to present visionary international theatre and build cross-cultural understanding. Founded in 2016 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence, BorderLight Festival of International Theatre launched as a 4-day late summer festival from July 24-27, 2019 in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The Festival featured top-flight performers from abroad, world premiere and regional premiere collaborations between Cleveland-based theatre companies and international artists, and a “fringe festival” that drew performers from Northeast Ohio's vibrant theatre community and states across North America. |
Festival Overview
Type of FestivalBorderLight launched in 2019 as an international theatre and fringe festival to take place in downtown Cleveland's historic Playhouse Square theatre district. The fringe festival presents roughly 30 productions selected through an application-based, adjudicated process facilitated by a panel of 6-7 Cleveland-area arts and culture leaders and practitioners from diverse theatrical and demographic backgrounds. The selection process was designed to present the widest range of styles, topics, and genres possible to fill the available slots, as well as ensure robust diversity and representation among the artistic creators. Fringe performances take place in indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Cleveland. In 2019, BorderLight performances took place across 11 venues, including the newly revamped Public Square green space, with indoor spaces ranging from two configurable black boxes (seating between 99-199), a conventional proscenium stage (capacity 99-165), the fellowship hall of a historical church (capacity 99), a chapel (capacity 70), an intimate circus tent (capacity 59), and several non-traditional venues, such as a lounge, a raw classroom space, a private club, and a micro-venue in the rear of an Irish pub (hosting a 1:1 performance), and more. All venues are within walking distance. In addition to the fringe, a small number of international touring productions are curated by the festival producers, alongside special world premiere collaborative performances between Cleveland regional theatres and visiting international artists. The 2019 BorderLight Festival featured the work of 267 artists from 8 countries and 11 U.S. States.
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About our AudienceCleveland is a diverse, vibrant city with a reputation for above-market participation in arts and culture. In its first year, the BorderLight Festival had 4,039 ticketed patrons, with over 10K visitors including attendees of free and outdoor performances. The festival's diverse and international programming drew visitors from across Cleveland, as well 26 U.S. states and England.
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Festival StatsIn its first year, the BorderLight Festival had 4,039 ticketed patrons, with over 10K visitors including attendees of free and outdoor performances. In 2019, tickets to all fringe shows were $12 for a single purchase, with ticket packages available in 4 and 8-packs. A limited number of All-Access passes are available. The festival offered a 70/30 box office split in 2019, with 70% of ticket revenue going to artists.
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Artist Information
How Artists are AcceptedThe BorderLight Fringe welcomes artist applicants for a wide variety of theatrical genres, including physical theatre, musicals, solo performance, comedy, circus, new plays, adaptations, political theatre, docu-drama, performance art, dance theatre, immersive experiences, and genre-defying performance. Applications are typically open in October and close in late December/early January. All applications and supplemental materials are reviewed by a panel of 7 artistic leaders from Northeast Ohio, including artistic directors, producers, artist practitioners, and educators who represent diverse artistic, pedagogical and cultural perspectives.
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Benefits of Applying In 2019, the BorderLight Festival provided free housing for out-of-area Fringe Festival artists through a partnership with Cleveland State University and we will aim to do so again in 2021. All BorderLight Festival artists receive an Artist Pass, which entitles them to complimentary access (on a standby, as-available basis) to other Fringe Festival shows, discounts to international productions, a private Artist Welcome party, as well as Opening/Closing parties and other special events. In 2019, BorderLight offered 4 awards: Audience Choice, Producer's Choice, Emerging Artist Award, and the Visual Theatre Award (sponsored by Collective Arts Network-CAN).
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Costs and DealsThe application fee in 2019 was $40, with fee waivers available for artists with financial need. 2019 production fees ranged from $0 - $200 (subject to change in 2021).
Average payout for 2019 was $671 (min $199, max $2,433). |
Tech InformationAll venues are set up with basic stage lighting and sound amplification. Productions must provide their own board operator. Artists are provided a list of local stage managers, photographers, videographers, etc. to assist in meeting their needs.
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Performance ScheduleIn 2019, the BorderLight Fringe presented work ranging from 45-90 minutes (subject to change in 2021), with most shows lasting an hour. Artists were offered a minimum of 3 shows.
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City and State of FringePublic Square District
Downtown Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Cleveland is recognized as a cultural center on the rise, featured regularly on national “Best of” lists, including being named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the “Best of the World” cities to visit in 2018. Home to the newly renovated Playhouse Square (the largest performing arts center outside of NYC), the celebrated Gordon Square Arts District, historic Karamu House (the nation's oldest African American theatre), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art (free and open year-round for all), and adventurous, outside-the box programming by Cleveland Public Theatre, Ingenuity Festival, the FRONT Triennial and others, Cleveland's per capita arts attendance is among the highest in the nation. In fact, in a recent report by the Cultural Data Project (SMU/Arts), Cleveland ranked 5th among the nation’s leading cities for arts and culture. Downtown Cleveland is friendly, bikeable, and affordable, with a celebrated local food culture and a superb theatrical infrastructure, ideal for supporting an ambitious theatre festival. BORDERLIGHTCLE.ORG |
Important Dates for this Fringe
2020 - Current Year
Festival DatesNo dates in 2020
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Application DatesNo dates in 2020
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Other Important DatesNo dates in 2020
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2019 - Past Year for Perspective
Festival DatesJuly 24-27, 2019
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Application DatesOctober 31, 2019-December 29, 2019
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Other Important Dates |
2021 - Future Year
Festival DatesJuly 2021 (dates TBD)
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Application DatesSeptember-October 2020 (dates TBD)
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Other Important Dates |
Past Festivals
https://www.borderlightcle.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UPDATE-BORDERLIGHT-GUIDE-2019-Web-Optimized.pdf
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