Why The Next Stage?

Every year many talented theatre companies and artists receive artistic and critical accolades for their successful Fringe or independently produced play. This encouragement from the public and media fuels their hopes and creative juices and as the Fringe wraps up each summer artists look to further develop their work by participating in next year's Fringe, producing their work on their own, or having their work remounted by an established theatre company.

The Next Stage Theatre Festival's goal is to provide another production opportunity to these companies and artists so that they may be able to reach a broader audience, build upon their previous efforts and success, and to continue to develop their skills and career.

The Next Stage Festival is a new initiative that will inspire innovation and ignite the imagination of theatre artists by providing them with an environment that will nourish their creative appetite, hone their artistic vision, showcase their work and ultimately invigorate Toronto 's art community with energy and new ideas. Produced by the Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival, the Next Stage Festival will benefit from the resources of the organization, the skills and experience of the Fringe staff and the large and supportive audience base. The Next Stage Festival will incorporate many of the popular and successful elements of the Fringe (affordable ticket prices and passes, a central Fringe Club, etc.) but is distingued by being a curated event. A panel has selected the participating companies based on the merits of a finished script and past artistic successes.