It's that time of year again! Anyone with dreams of conquering the Toronto stage and $700 to spare ($600 for a KidsVenue show) should probably hop along over to the Fringe website to download an application form for next summer's festival. Every year, hundreds of theatre companies apply to try to take advantage of the Toronto Fringe's venue space for seven performances along with other perks - not the least of which being a 100% return on the box office! - but the selection is entirely based on random lottery.

Also worth your consideration is the Fringe's annual New Play Contest, applications for which are also available on the Fringe's website. They accept never-before-produced scripts and the best one gets a free slot in the Fringe; there are cash prizes for the runner's up. The New Play Contest begins accepting applicants on Novemeber 27th with a deadline of December 1st or whenever 80 applications are received.

NOTE: Experienced Fringers, take heed! You may be used to sending in your Fringe application around the end of January, but the deadline has changed this year to January 12th at 6pm. The first step to becoming the next Top Gun! The Musical or Drowsy Chaperone is getting your applications in on time.