Fringe on The Rocks 2026

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria before applying:

• The applicant must be an Australian resident
• The applicant must be a NSW-based artist or company
• The applicant must have a valid ABN
• The applicant must be over the age of 18

Work Eligibility

Fringe on The Rocks is designed to showcase adventurous, contemporary work that embraces the distinctive character of 47 George Street, a three-level heritage building, and 6 – 8 Atherden Street, a modern two-level connected space.

We are seeking applications:

• In theatre, physical theatre, dance, immersive performance, live art, music, installations, cabaret, experimental forms, or interdisciplinary practices
• That are suited to the constraints and opportunities of heritage and non-traditional spaces
• That can adapt to minimal technical infrastructure, limited backstage areas, and multi-level audience flow
• For seasons of  2 – 4 weeks, with a minimum 8 performances per week
• For audiences seated in fixed configurations:
  • Level 1 (47 George): Maximum 75 seated
  • Level 2 (47 George): Maximum 50 seated
  • Final capacities confirmed upon floor plan review
• That understand all staging must comply with heritage restrictions and building protection requirements
• That are ticketed events with a minimum ticket price of $39. Visual arts exhibitions and installations can be free and non-ticketed in Level 2 of 6 – 8 Atherden Street only.

Applicants may propose:

• A full building takeover
• Partial venue use (e.g., Level 1 only; Level 1 + Level 2; site-specific activations across both buildings)

Please note, this is not a program for early developments or showings. Works must demonstrate clear artistic readiness and a public presentation history or be fully realised new works ready for premiere.

The Deal

Your production remains produced and owned by you.
Sydney Fringe will subsidise venue costs and provide operational support as follows:

• Venue hire is free for 47 George Street and 6–8 Atherden Street
• Sydney Fringe will waive the festival registration fee
• There will be a headline event inside charge of $5.50 per ticket
• You will retain 60% – 70% of net box office revenue. Final percentage based on venue utilisation and ticket pricing
• Sydney Fringe will provide:
  • A basic lighting package in Level 1 & Level 2 of 47 George Street
  • 120 seats
  • A Venue Manager for FOH, bar coordination, and audience operations
  • A Sydney Fringe owned and operated bar
  • One weekly clean of the venue
• All technical additions beyond the base package are at the artist’s expense and subject to venue approval
• All headline activations are subject to Sydney Fringe’s standard presenter terms and conditions. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Sydney Fringe will retain an inside ticketing fee of $5.50 per ticket for headline activations such as those included in Fringe on The Rocks. Net Box Office revenue is calculated by deducting the ticketing fees in addition to any other incurred expenditure outside of The Deal
  • Deadly Tix for First Nations attendees with a minimum of a 20% discount
  • Complimentary Companion Card tickets for valid Companion Card holders
• Please note that only Level 1 of 47 George Street is accessible

The artist/company is responsible for:

• All staffing needed for the production (performers, stage managers, operators, bump-in/bump-out teams)
• All rehearsal costs
• All production costs, props, set, and show-specific technical needs
• Any additional lighting, sound or staging not included in the base venue package
• Ensuring the work complies with heritage, safety, and access requirements
• Public Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation

Benefits of Participating in Fringe on The Rocks

1. Present in one of Sydney’s most iconic precincts
The Rocks attracts high visitation and offers unique heritage-rich environments ideal for immersive and contemporary performance.

2. Connect with new audiences
Sydney Fringe draws over 100,000 attendees annually, many of whom seek risk-taking independent work.

3. Build industry visibility
The Fringe on The Rocks program is a headline program within the broader festival, attracting producers, presenters, venue programmers, and industry partners.

4. Creative flexibility within a multi-level venue
Artists can shape the audience experience across three floors, propose site-specific staging, or develop layered activation models.