Each year at Hollywood Fringe, we celebrate the end of the festival with our Awards Ceremony and Closing Night Party (this year, it’s the evening of June 29th at Los Angeles LGBT Center!) Two types of awards are given out: Community Awards (“The Freaks”) & Discover Fringe Awards (formerly Sponsored Awards). Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about each type of award!

COMMUNITY AWARDS: 

The Community Awards are determined by the Fringe community via a voting process. Fringe community members receive ballots in the last days of the festival via email. The productions with the most votes in a given category are announced as nominees hours prior to the ceremony via an email newsletter and website post, and the ultimate winners are revealed at the awards ceremony.

Who gets to vote on Community Awards? You will receive a ballot via email at the end of the festival to vote on Community Awards if you (1) are an HFF26 participant or venue manager added to a specific HFF26 project OR (2) reserve tickets for 3 or more shows on the Hollywood Fringe website OR (3) write 3 or more reviews for HFF26 shows.

Categories for HFF26 Community Awards:

Top of the Fringe Award 2026 

Fringe International Award 2026 

Fringe First for World Premiere 2026 

Fringe Award for Cabaret & Burlesque 2026 

Fringe Award for Clown & Alternative Comedy 2026 

Fringe Award for Comedic Theatre 2026 

Fringe Award for Comedy & Variety Acts 2026

Fringe Award for Dance & Physical Theatre 2026

Fringe Award for Dramatic Theatre 2026 

Fringe Award for Immersive & Games 2026

Fringe Award for Musicals & Operas 2026 

Fringe Award for Solo Theatre 2026

DISCOVER FRINGE AWARDS:

Discover Fringe Awards are presented by outside organizations to commend excellence in a number of categories. These awards tend to be more specific than the community awards and may include monetary gifts or an extension to a show’s run. Hollywood Fringe participants must submit themselves for consideration, and winners are announced at the awards ceremony along with the community awards.

How to apply for Discover Fringe Awards: Each Discover Fringe Award presenter will have different qualifications and requirements to be considered for their awards (which can be found on their individual award pages, located HERE). Some awards will have a form to fill out, and others will require that you contact them directly through the Hollywood Fringe website to submit yourself for consideration. Some will also have a deadline to apply. Be thoughtful when you submit your show to be considered for an award, and remember not to overwhelm award presenters with messages or emails – they will do their very best to see as many shows as possible. 

Sample message:

“Hi <NAME>, my name is <NAME> and I’d love to be considered for <NAME OF AWARD> for my show <NAME OF SHOW>. <add information about why your show is qualified and should be considered for the award>. Thank you for your consideration! <NAME>”

*Make sure to include the award name in the subject line of the message so that they know what you are messaging about!

You are welcome (but not required) to comp tickets for award presenters/judges. They will request comp tickets through the Hollywood Fringe website, and their title (award presenter, judge, etc.) will be specified with the comp request. 

2026 Discover Fringe Awards: (view them all and apply here)

Ella Turenne Award, presented by Hollywood Fringe Access Advisory Committee (learn more)

Fierce Artist Award, presented by Playhouse Arts “Zero to Fierce Festival” (learn more)

International Fringe Encore Series: Hollywood Prize, presented by SoHo Playhouse (learn more)

Loud Karma Emerging Women and Gender Diverse Playwright’s Award, presented by Loud Karma Productions, LLC (learn more)

M&M Arts Cross-Cultural Voices Award, presented by M&M Arts and Productions INC. (learn more)

New York City Pivot Award, presented by LA Hidden Gems (learn more)

Sacred Fools’ Award for Unique Theatricality, presented by Sacred Fools (learn more)

Take the Stage Award, presented by Theatre 68 Arts Festival / Theatre 68 Arts Complex (learn more)

The Hitmaker Comedy Award, presented by The H.I.T. Comedy Theater (learn more)

The Planners’ Pick, presented by Theatre Planners (learn more)

The Screamiest, presented by Midsummer Scream (learn more)

The Splash Award, presented by Namba Performing Arts Space, Inc (learn more)

The StageCrafts Freeway Circuit, presented by The StageCrafts (learn more)

The StageCrafts Mini Festival Award, presented by The StageCrafts (learn more)

Zephyr’s Zest Award, presented by Theatre Planners Venues / Zephyr Theatre (learn more)

This year, we are thrilled to help share art across the globe and create opportunities for artists to expand their reach. Through exciting collaborations with partnering Fringe Festivals, we are providing opportunity for their artists and ours. Each of these awards will include a performance opportunity in person at the following partner festivals:

Adelaide Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Adelaide Fringe Festival in Adelaide, Australia (learn more)

Denver Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Denver Fringe Festival in Denver, CO (learn more)

Fringe Italia Off Exchange Award, presented by Fringe Italia Off in Italy (learn more)

Sydney Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Sydney Fringe Festival in Sydney, Australia (learn more)

VIEW ALL DISCOVER FRINGE AWARDS AND APPLY HERE!

25% of all Hollywood Fringe individual fundraising goes into the “Artist Fund” pool to fund individual productions from low-income Angelenos at the festival. 

The following productions were selected by random lottery, and will receive a one-time stipend toward registration, venue, and/or production costs at the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Alps, Adieu!

Cell: A Duologue

Dean Evans: My Finest Work

Failure to Thrive

Ghost Train

S-27

I. We. Us.

Maybe It’s You

Moyamoya Baby: A Trilogy of Strokes, Blood Flow, and F*ckboys

Reservoir Dolls: The Whole Bloody Affair

Sack of Nerves

Strange Beings

The Trick and “The Pearl”

To make your Existence Easier

Thanks to the generous contributions by the Commissioners Club members, we were able to distribute $3,000 more than ever before!

Want to help us make more indie artists’ dreams come true in 2027? Contribute to the Artist Fund today via a Commissioners Club membership to help us get a head start on next year’s goal!

A total of 12 recipients of the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Scholarship!

Funded by Hollywood Pantages Theatre and County Supervisor Lindsey P Horvath.

Aztlan: (m)otherland

Cirque Lunaire

D.A.F.U.Q. – Dating Advice For Useless Queers

Don’t ask Don’t tell

Don’t be a Pu$$y

Goodbye. Hello.

Hollywood Chola

Interviewing for the Role of Father

MUMMY: A Delusical

Syrian Soap

The Last Palestinian

• They Tend To Themselves: A Choreopoem.

Applications were reviewed and recipients were selected by an objective committee of former scholarship winners and artists & artistic company reps whose missions align with the program’s goal of expanding and diversifying the body of work being presented at Fringe.



There were so many outstanding applications, and the committee would like to acknowledge the following honorable mentions:



Barbie Smith: God’s Favorite Tease

 Building an Altar

 For the Gold

 Jaunty the Rat

 The Malignant Case of the Migrant’s Daughter

 The Miraculous V: The Bizarre Awakening of a Virgin Witch

 Patient Zero.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Fringe Scholarships are available to Hollywood Fringe producers who identify as one or more of the following identities: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color), disabled, d/Deaf, and/or blind. Winners from the scholarship program have gone on to win awards such as Best Solo Performance 2024, Best Two Person Show 2024, Denver Fringe Festival Exchange Award 2024, Ella Turenne Award 2024, and Fringe Italia Off Touring Award 2024. Shows have also extended runs at various Fringe venues, a run Off-Broadway at the SOHO Playhouse, Second City, and the steps of the California State Capitol Building.

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES THEATRE

The Hollywood Pantages is part of The Nederlander Organization, which owns or operates venues on Broadway and in Chicago, San Diego, San Jose, Tucson, Durham, Oklahoma City, N. Charleston, Greensboro, Washington D.C., and London. The Hollywood Pantages is the foremost theatre of first-class touring productions in Los Angeles. Presentations include Hamilton, Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Phantom of the Opera, and more.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN HOLLYWOOD

The curtain rose on BROADWAY IN HOLLYWOOD in February of 2019, to welcome the Best of Broadway in the Heart of Hollywood. As the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in Los Angeles, BROADWAY IN HOLLYWOOD welcomes over a million people annually. BROADWAY IN HOLLYWOOD presents the hottest shows on the world’s most famous boulevard.  Hollywood History is happening nightly. www.BroadwayInHollywood.com.

Hollywood Fringe is currently seeking a Social Media and Marketing Intern for the 2026 festival! Interning with Fringe is the best way to gain hands-on experience behind the scenes of the largest performing arts festival on the West Coast.

Before applying, please make sure you meet the requirements listed below, as this internship is supported, in part, by the 2026 Arts Internship program sponsored by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture. 

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Positions will be open to currently enrolled undergraduate (2 or 4-year) and community college students who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County. Recent graduates may apply as long as they have completed their degree between May 1 and December 1, 2026. 

The Department of Arts and Culture encourages eligible students from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as disabled students, to apply. Eligible students may participate in the program only once.

NOTE:

• —> Students who have already earned a BA, BS, or a higher degree are not eligible for the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.
• —> High school students who are co-enrolled in college classes are not eligible to participate in the program.
• —> Students who have previously participated in the program are not eligible to participate a second time.
• —> Students must possess the legal right to work in the United States.
• —> Students who are invited to participate in the program will be asked to verify eligibility via college transcripts, driver’s license, and other documents to show enrollment status and/or LA County residence.

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DESCRIPTION

The Social Media and Marketing Intern will work under the supervision of the Outreach and Operations Manager to plan and execute social media content for the Hollywood Fringe Festival, taking place in Hollywood in June.

This role includes analyzing social media data from past years to help shape branding and engagement strategies for the 2027 festival. The intern will also support in-person operations during the festival, including staffing the Box/Shop (Hollywood Fringe’s box office) and assisting with support email communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• —> Collaborate with the Outreach and Operations Manager to maintain social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube)
• —> Post pre-scheduled content, respond to messages, and assist with content creation using Canva templates
• —> Create original content, including Instagram Reels, to drive festival engagement
• —> Assist with staffing the Box/Shop and responding to support emails during the festival
• —> Support day-of set-up and/or strike for major events, including Opening Night, Awards, and Closing Night
• —> Capture social media content at festival events
• —> Conduct post-festival analysis of social media performance
• —> Develop a proposal for the 2027 social media strategy, including:
• —> Engagement goals and tracking methods
• —> Updated Canva templates
• —> Video content outlines

SCHEDULE

• —> 30–40 hours per week during June (festival period)
• —> 20–24 hours per week for the remainder of the internship
• —> Internship runs from early June through before October 1st, 2026

WHAT TO EXPECT

• —> A fast-paced, collaborative, and dynamic work environment
• —> Hands-on experience in festival operations and arts administration
• —> Training in program management and data analysis
• —> Exposure to all aspects of producing a large-scale performing arts festival

DETAILS & BENEFITS

• —> Paid position (minimum wage)
• —> Letter of recommendation upon successful completion
• —> College credit available (if applicable)
• —> Supervised by Outreach and Operations Manager, Jeannette Srinivasan

This position is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture’s Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.

QUALIFICATIONS

• —> Must be 21+ years of age
• —> Strong interest in live events and late-night festival programming
• —> Experience in customer service or community engagement preferred
• —> Experience working at large events is a plus
• —> Familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube)
• —> Basic video/photo editing skills for social media
• —> Ability to stay organized and adaptable in a high-energy environment
• —> DIY and creative problem-solving skills are a plus
• —> Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms)
• —> Experience with Canva is a plus

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are due by Friday, April 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT

Virtual interviews will begin the week of April 20th

To apply, upload your resume/CV and answer application questions via the Google Form

For full qualifications and requirements, please review the internship description document (also linked in application)

Be your own hero (and ours) and set yourself up for a great guide-proof process! 

Make sure you are 100% happy with your guide listing by 2 pm on April 20th. Any edits after that are not promised and will mean more work on your end. Nothing is submitted on your end- we pull your listing directly from your project page.

REMEMBER, your guide listing does not include an image. If you want an image, you can purchase ads now, April 20th, at www.hollywoodfringe.org/market (starting at $125)

How to finalize your full guide listing on the website:

>Log in as the primary contact (or admin) of the project

>Navigate to your project’s page

>Click the “Admin” tab

>Click on the “Guide Proof” submenu item

Study your preview. Your listing in the guide will look exactly like the preview.

There are links to the right telling you how to update the information in your listing if needed.

Note: Your short listing is limited to 300 CHARACTERS (spaces and carriage returns count). You can use this handy tool to help you count your CHARACTERS (a character is not a word; it is a space, letter, number, etc.)

Be sure to double-check the following:

1. Title

2. Company (Don’t have a company? Make one up or use your name!) 

3. Run time (Contact your venue to update)

4. Minimum age (the age at which it is appropriate to experience your show based on the content. If you are at Three Clubs, your minimum age is 21+ it’s a bar). 

5. Short description

6. General ticket price (The guide will reflect a range if each performance has a unique price)*If you need to change your ticket price, you will need to update each individual performance. 

7. Category (Change via your project page – tips on choosing your category can be found here!)

8. Schedule (Contact your venue to update) Note: Some venues are still adding performances (don’t panic, if you have contracted, then your performances will be up by April 15th). 

Don’t forget to additionally check your checkboxes on the “edit tab” with all of your show specifications, like world premiere, Family Friendly, Free Show, PWYC, and Content Warning) 

**Think through tags like Family Friendly. Is it intended for families/children? Then click box! Is it probably fine for kids? Don’t click that box! 

**For content warnings, checking the box ensures the warning is on the guide listing- you should include details about those content warnings in your long description. More info HERE.

HELPFUL TIPS! 

- Spell check! We have hundreds of shows and will not spell-check your individual listing. 

- Have a friend look at it! Swap Edits with a fellow fringer. 

- Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself time in case you need edits from your venue or need additional support from the Fringe team.

Having trouble?? Watch Web Sessions #2 from 2025, where we walk through everything you need to know! Or, as always, reach out to [email protected]