The goal of producing a fringe festival at the high school level is to give students the opportunity to create and present original, unconventional work in a flexible, low-tech setting that mirrors the real-world experience of independent artists.

The 27j Curricular Frameworks for Theatre Education serve as a guiding document for the skills developed through the one act process.  Some key highlights focused on through the Fringe Festival experience are…

Artists, on their own, every day…

• think critically and use problem solving skills

• employ creativity and innovation

• utilize inquiry and analysis

• engage in risk taking

Understandings

1. Theatre artists rely on intuition, curiosity, and critical inquiry.

2. Theatre artists work to discover different ways of communicating meaning.

3. Theatre artists seek awareness of interrelationships between self and others to influence and inform their work.

4. Theatre artists refine their work and practice their craft through rehearsal.

5. Theatre artists make strong choices to effectively convey meaning.

6. Theatre artists develop personal processes and skills for a performance or design.

7. Theatre artists understand and can communicate their creative process as they analyze the way the world may be understood.

8. Theatre artists share and present stories, ideas, and envisioned worlds to explore the human experience.

9. Theatre artists reflect to understand the impact of drama processes and theatre experiences.

10. Theatre artists' interpretations of drama/theatre work are influenced by personal experiences and aesthetics.

11. Theatre artists critically inquire into the ways others have thought about and created drama processes and productions to inform their own work.

12. Theatre artists apply criteria to investigate, explore and assess drama and theatre work.

Fringe Workshop | Friday, 2.5.2027, 4:45 - 7pm
Fringe Submission Deadline | Friday, 2.12.2027, 4:30pm
Fringe Orientation Night | Wednesday, 3.12.2027, 4:45 - 7pm (general timeframe)
Fringe Venue Prep Night | Friday, 5.14.2027, 4:45 - 9pm (general timeframe)
Fringe Opening Ceremonies | Saturday, 5.15.2027, 11am - 12pm
Fringe Festival | Saturday, 5.15.2027, 12pm - 6pm
Fringe Dinner | Saturday, 5.15.2027, 6 - 7pm
Fringe Festival Closing Ceremonies | Saturday, 5.15.2027, 7 - 8pm

Fringe @ The Ridge is open to all Colorado high school students—whether you attend Riverdale Ridge High School, another school within 27j, or any accredited high school in the state of Colorado.

Participation is not limited to theatre students; any student with an interest in creating or contributing to an original performance piece is welcome to apply!

All are welcome at the Fringe!

While each venue may have some additional restrictions, artists can use the guidelines below to generally find success in using their assigned venue.

Violating these rules may result in loss of venue access or removal from the festival. Let’s work together to respect our campus and make this a positive experience for everyone!

Shared Spaces

• These spaces are, in their normal use, educational spaces used by others. Participants are expected to treat the spaces with respect.

• Arrive and leave on time for your scheduled time slots

• Only use the spaces assigned to you - do not enter other venues or backstage areas unless authorized

• Treat all festival spaces with care and professionalism - they’re being shared by many artists throughout the event.

Prohibited Items & Materials

• No glitter, confetti, fake snow, or other loose particles

• No open flames, candles, or matches

• No liquids (fake blood, drink props, etc.)

• No food or drink used as a prop

• No smoke, fog, haze, or aerosol sprays

Space Modification & Decor

• Do not hang,, staple, pin, or attach anything to walls, ceilings, doors, or floors

• Use only approved Blue Painter’s Tape if taping temporarily

• Do not paint or mark any part of the venue

• Any props or set pieces must be freestanding and removable

Setup & Strike

• Defer to the Venue Manager for all guidance of the space

• Leave the venue better than you found it - remove all items, trash, and debris immediately after your performance

• Do not store materials in the space

• Perform setup and strike quickly and quietly to maintain the festival schedule

A/V

• keep sound at a reasonable level appropriate to the space to avoid disrupting other venues

• amplified sound provided by each performer is allowed

• Additional lighting should be kept to a minimum and at the level of household lighting (lamps, flashlights, etc.)

• Additional stage lighting is discouraged due to electrical availability in the various venues

The 27j Fringe Festival is a space for creativity, originality, and student voice - but all pieces must align with community standards and school expectations. We encourage bold ideas, but creators are responsible for making thoughtful, respectful choices in what they present.

Content must be…

• original

  • The originality guidelines apply to any content presented in the piece (music, visuals, etc.)

• School appropriate for a general audience that may include students, staff, families, and community members

• Free from hate speech, discrimination, or harmful stereotypes

• Respectful in its treatment of sensitive topics, such as mental health, violence, trauma, or identity

• Free of explicit language, graphic violence, drugs and alcohol, or sexual content

Once your piece is accepted into the 27j Fringe Festival, the real fun begins!

As a participating artist, you’ll take on the responsibilities of producing your own work - just like an independent theatre maker! From rehearsals to tech to performance, you’ll be expected to communicate clearly, meet deadlines, and bring your creative vision to life in collaboration with your team and the festival staff.

To ensure a successful, inclusive, and creatively rich experience, all participants must follow the expectations below. These apply to Producers, Creative Team members, and anyone involved in a Fringe Festival production.

Pre-Festival Expectations

• Attend the Mandatory 27j Fringe Festival Orientation Meeting where you will…

• see your assigned venue and meet your Venue Manager

• review the schedule

• receive your Artist Packets that include your team’s buttons, their participation forms, and more!

• get some tips n’ tricks on how to market your show

• Actively promote your show in any or all of the following ways: press releases, websites, social media, postcards, busking, business cards, flyers, word of mouth, emails, etc.

Festival Expectations

• Check in with your Venue Manager before and after your performance.

• Manage your team calmly and responsibly during transitions, setup, and strike.

• Ensure your technical needs match what was submitted—last-minute changes may not be possible.

• Clean up your venue space after your performance and return any borrowed items or tech equipment.

• Arrive on time for your assigned times, performances, and responsibilities.

• Support other artists by attending and being a respectful audience member for other shows.

• Be flexible—Fringe venues may be nontraditional, and schedules may shift slightly. Stay adaptable and professional.

• Keep noise and movement to a minimum when in or near performance areas.

• maintain respectful, inclusive, and responsible behavior at all times—onstage, backstage, and in audience areas.

The Fringe Festival is a space for creativity, collaboration, and courage. By following these guidelines, you help create a positive, safe, and inspiring environment where every voice has the chance to be heard.

Production Entry Fee

Each Fringe Festival submission requires a $30 entry fee to help cover production costs, venue use, and promotional materials. This fee is due upon submission of the application and applies per project, not per person.

Participant Fee

The participant fee is now waived. 

Once you know the general outline of your show you will complete the Fringe Application. Fringe Festival projects are not adjudicated or selected through a competitive process. As long as your piece meets the festival’s content guidelines for appropriate community standards, it will have a space in the festival. The Fringe is about inclusion, creativity, and giving every student voice a platform to be heard.

YOUR PIECE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLETED OR REHEARSED AT TIME OF SUBMISSION!
GET YOUR IDEA STARTED!

The application will include the following information…

• Producer Information

  • Name

  • High School

  • Email

  • Phone Number

• Title of Project

• Short Description of your Project

• Time Length of Project

• Venue Requests

  • You will select your top three venue choices for your performance.

  • You will also be able to pitch your Site Specific Request at this point

• Genre of Performance

  • Children's Theatre

  • Circus

  • Comedy (standup/improv)

  • Dance/Dance Theatre

  • Family-Friendly

  • Immersive

  • Improvisation

  • Musical

  • Performance Art

  • Physical Theatre

  • Puppetry

  • Site-Specific

  • Solo Performance

  • Spoken Word

  • Storytelling

  • Theatre

  • Other: ______________

Once your project is submitted, the Fringe Team will reach out with a Producer Packet for you to complete as you go. The Producer Packet will include space for you to fill out the details of your project as you continue to pull it together. You will see the additional information included below.

The Producer Packet will include the following information…

• Producer Information

  • Name

  • High School

  • Email

  • Phone Number

• Title of Piece

• Marketing Information

  • One Line Pitch | 20 words or less

  • Short Description | 50 words or less for Fringe Program

• Production Information

  • Full Description of Show's Content for Festival Organizers to Confirm Content Guidelines

  • Content Warning Details

  • Length of Show

    • We schedule in 15, 30, and 45 minute timeslots. Please select the most appropriate timeslot for your show.

  • A list of your Creative Team and their roles.

    • This is used in the program and for giving Thespian Point credit to student participants

  • Technical Element Descriptions

The Fringe @ The Ridge Awards celebrate the creativity, courage, collaboration, and unique artistic voices that make this festival special. These recognitions are not about creating a traditional competition, but about honoring the moments, ideas, and choices that stand out and represent the spirit of Fringe.

• Artist Choice Award | Selected by participating artists, this award recognizes the piece that inspired, impressed, or connected with fellow performers and creators through its artistic impact and collaborative spirit.

• Audience Choice Award | Selected by audience members, this award recognizes the production that created the most memorable experience for those watching.

• Critics Choice Award | Selected by a panel of guest critics, this award recognizes the production that demonstrates exceptional artistic achievement, thoughtful choices, and a strong overall theatrical experience from the perspective of outside industry voices.

• All Around Awards | the following awards are selected through festival voting, these awards celebrate productions that made a lasting impression in a variety of creative ways.

  • Most Chaotic (in a good way) |  Recognizing the production that embraced unpredictability, energy, creativity, and controlled chaos to create a truly unforgettable experience.

  • Biggest Risk Taken |  Celebrating the artists who pushed boundaries, experimented with new ideas, or took creative chances that challenged themselves and their audience.

  • Most Thought Provoking |  Recognizing the production that sparked conversation, challenged perspectives, or left audiences thinking long after the performance ended.

  • "This Shouldn't Work, But It Does" | Celebrating the production that took unexpected ideas, unusual combinations, or unconventional choices and somehow made them work brilliantly.

  • Most Likely to Become a Full Show | Recognizing the production with the strongest potential to grow beyond Fringe into a larger theatrical experience.

• That's So Fringe! | The Top Prize! The ultimate celebration of the Fringe spirit — honoring the piece that best represents creativity, originality, experimentation, and the fearless artistic energy that makes Fringe @ The Ridge unique.

What We DO Provide

• performance venues

• festival marketing

• festival management

  • Box Office & Ticket Sales

  • Concessions

  • Front of House Venue Managers & Staff

• orientation and training for producers

• access to the performance venues for a tech walkthrough and on performance days

• basic seating at each venue site (unless performance is a site-specific performance)

• a creative community to share and support new works of art from students!

What We DON’T Provide

• rehearsal spaces

• costumes, props, or set pieces

• lighting or sound equipment for venue spaces

• crew to set up or strike your show

• storage for technical elements

• show specific publicity

• guaranteed audience members