The Hollywood Fringe’s Handy Guide to Choosing Your Category

The Hollywood Fringe would never try to put a label on you, the artist. You are free to be. But your show? You’ve gotta categorize that, and we’re here to help. You can register your show in any category you wish, but try to match what area best represents your show! 

Solo Show- Yep, we are starting with an easy one. Its a show… with one person. It can be comedy, tragedy, a Ted talk, thirty-five minutes of whistling the entire HMS Pinafore… the point is there is ONE PERSON. If your show is a one person show that is also a comedy or musical consider choosing another category! 

Two Person Show- Same as above, only with a friend!

Comedy- So say you have more than one or two people. Like a group of people. And y’all are funny. Really funny. And the script is too! People are laughing their dang ol’ heads off. This is where you go!

Drama- Sure, there are some funny elements in your show, because life is funny, and theatre is life. This is your general category for ensemble theatre (three or more actors) that does not fall into any more niche box. 

Musicals and Operas- You are in any of the above BUT sometime just saying the words isn’t enough. You just gotta sing! (a lot) And maybe play an instrument or two! This is the moment… you can register for the Fringe!

Dance and Physical Theatre- Your show is movement based! Whether you are tango-ing, tap dancing or tumbling, the storytelling performance is all about getting physical. This category is not all just dance-based but also includes any storytelling done primarily through movement based work.

Cabaret and Variety-  Maybe you have all these cool elements like music, songs, dances, poetry readings, puppets, etc. and you are putting all of them together in some sort of review. And you maybe have a dope ass master of ceremonies or MC running the whole thing. And maybe you’re in a different kind of space like a bar or restaurant. Well, old chum, this is the category for you!

Immersive and Games- Go ahead! Break that fourth wall! You love the outdoors so go perform a murder mystery in the outdoors! Or Pinter at your old high school. Or Shakespeare in the back of a van. Or maybe you want to use a traditional theater but you want to remove the “stage” and immerse the audience within the performance itself. 

Events and Workshops- Want to give a lecture on climate change? Or teach a class on directing for the stage? Or throw a dance party? This is also where you will find many of the Fringe-sponsored activities! Note these events are not on the awards ballot. 

Welcome Class! Today, we’re going to be talking about Busking!

But Rody, What is Busking?

Great question, imaginary audience surrogate! 

Thank you.

Busking is when you perform on the sidewalk or another public place and sometimes for public donations. This year busking near Fringe Central by Hollywood Blvd is a real possibility. Here are the questions we’ll be asking today: Can busking take place on Hollywood Blvd? How can busking occur safely? Busking Etiquette? So let’s get started!

Can busking take place on Hollywood Blvd?

Yes! There is currently no permit process in place to busk on Hollywood Blvd. However, every location is different. Locations like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Burbank do require permits.

Currently, various sources site busking culture alive and well, however, the most helpful resource was the Los Angeles Municipal Code! The Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec 42.00 Regulation of Soliciting and Sales in Streets Section A states that…

“ ”Perform, Performing, Performance or Performances" shall mean to engage in any of the following activities in the street: playing musical instruments; singing; dancing; acting; pantomiming; puppeteering; juggling; reciting; engaging in magic; creating visual art in its entirety; presenting or enacting a play, work of music, work of art, physical or mental feat, or other constitutionally protected entertainment or form of expression.”

 

Handing out Flyers after/while Busking

Within that same section (Code Sec 42.00: Section B, Subsection A) it says that leaflets, pamphlets, bumper stickers, patches, and or/buttons are allowed to be handed out! This means that after or during your busking session you’d be able to hand out flyers/postcards to promote your show! Clothing, sunglasses, crystals, toys, and candles are not allowed. Also please keep in mind that vending (selling or bartering goods) within 500-feet of the Hollywood Walk of Fame is prohibited. (Sec 42.13 Sidewalk and Park Vending Program, Section C, Subsection B).

 

Donations

Oh! And here’s a cool little fact! Sec 42.00 also goes on to say that voluntary contributions such as passing around a hat or leaving an open instrument case (or any other container) is perfectly fine, and ain’t that just dandy.

Head up! The following is not allowed and not protected: personal services (such as massages, hair weaving, cutting, or styling), the completion or partial creation of visual art, the creation of mass-produced visual art, and the creation of handcrafts.

 

Be Aware of Your Volume

It is also important to know that in the Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 112.06 Places of Public Entertainment details that no music/noise should generate sound louder than 95 decibels in any place of public performance. For reference, the CDC states that  95 decibels of volume is like being next to a motorcycle engine, please do not be louder than a motorcycle engine. Let’s always remember to be courteous to our neighbors! 

 

Hurdy-gurdy Players Beware

Just to cover our bases, Sec. 41.29 Hand Organs On Streets states that 

"No person shall operate or play any hand organ or hurdy-gurdy in, upon, or along any street or sidewalk.”

My sincere condolences to the Hurdy-gurdy community, fight the good fight— but please do so at home.

 

How can busking occur safely? Busking Etiquette? 

We want to keep everybody safe so here are some starting tips to ensure we’re all having a great time.

• Do not block the free flow of pedestrians, be conscious of a crowd you may create. This also means not busking by a crossway or a building entrance/exit.
• If possible, try and occupy no more than 5 square feet of space.
• Be aware of your volume levels (remember not to be louder than 95 decibels).
• No more busking after 10pm.

Want some additional structure to your busking adventure? Sign-Up to our Google Form!

 

We’re happy to host busking sessions to Fringers where you can sign up for 20-minute slots from two to six pm on Saturdays and Sundays starting May 18th and carrying on into June! Just follow the link to the Google form, fill it out with all the information and we’ll get back to ya. Easy as pie! Link to Sign Ups: https://forms.gle/T2fQrgqWyb4jCivT9 

 

Also if you do want to be able to accept donations and want to do so digitally, please bring your own printed flyer (ex. You print out a document with your Venmo QR code). If you sign up via the google form, we’ll be able to set you up with a time slot to busk.

 

One Last Thing…

 

 

Lastly, I wanted to leave you with this from the Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 42.00 Regulation of Soliciting and Sales in Streets Section B subsection 3

 

“Performers can perform.”

I just thought that was kinda beautiful, Happy Fringing everyone.

- Rody, Hollywood Fringe Artist Services Associate

See below for the Fringe sponsored and organized marketing opportunities you’ll have at your disposal – there are many chances to let people know about your show now through June!

Office Hours

It’s at the top for a reason! Join Hollywood Fringe staff and participants for weekly casual meet-ups at different bars and restaurants around Hollywood. These events are your chance to start building your network and market your show! Office Hours take place on Wednesdays from 7 – 10 pm starting March 27th. As the schedule is updated, be sure to check out the events page for where they’ll be.

Volunteering
Festival Participants who volunteer for the festival get exclusive opportunities to market their show, as well as access to free/discounted tickets! To learn more at a volunteer orientation, complete this short form to join the volunteer team.

Postcards & Posters and where to drop them off
Postcards, lovely postcards! It’s a great way to engage with your audience at Fringe. A reminder: print the Hollywood Fringe logo on your materials; you can find the logo on the Fringe site at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/branding

Bring your postcards & a single poster to Fringe Central on May 11th & 12th from 2 pm-6 pm (and any hours that Fringe Central is open after that). Please keep in mind Poster space is limited, so we cannot accept posters larger than 11 × 17. Please check in with a member of Fringe Staff, and we will provide you instructions on placement (& hang the poster for you!)!

Fringe Venues & local Hollywood businesses are also great places to put up your posters and flyers. Please make sure to talk with the venue or establishment manager first before putting up your promotional material. 

Postcard Etiquette Reminders!
Do not move/cover up other postcards with your own in any spaces. Fringe staff won’t hesitate to remove your flyers if you do this. If you’re having trouble finding room, consult with the person you asked permission from to drop them off! 
Don’t hand out postcards to an audience walking out of a show unless you have explicit permission. 
Do not hand out postcards in the public areas of the Ovation Center (the mall surrounding Fringe Central) as there is a strict no solicitation policy and you will be asked to move. You may promote your show on Hollywood Blvd, though!
Don’t leave flyers at any business without permission. And don’t litter!

Busking on Hollywood Blvd
Busking is when you perform on the sidewalk or another public place, and sometimes, for public donations. This year, Hollywood Fringe will also be hosting busking sessions for Fringers where you can sign up for 20-minute slots from two to six pm on Saturdays and Sundays starting May 18th and carrying on into June! Signing up for the Hollywood Fringe Busking program is a great way to focus on the performing aspect of busking and not worry about the logistics! We are here to help!

Please note that there are many performers who make a living busking on Hollywood Blvd. Please join Fringe staff in community with them and avoid competition with vendors and other performers. Let’s all be great Hollywood neighbors!

Ads on the Fringe Site & The Fringe Guide
You can purchase ads in the printed Fringe Guide and on the Hollywood Fringe site with special participant rates (50% off the normal rate). This is an effective and inexpensive way to draw a wider audience to your show. Visit hollywoodfringe.org/market to check out your options. All printed guide ads must be reserved by April 20th. There are no deadlines for online ads. Reserve your ad today! Specs, detailed instructions, and even templates are available at www.hollywoodfringe.org/ads.

Marketing With A Boozy Twist
The sponsored drink premium auction is back, allowing you to feature a drink crafted especially for you at the HFF24 Opening Night Party Co-Produced With Los Angeles LGBT Center!

You provide the name, your base alcohol choice, and details about your show, business, etc, and our in-house mixologist will create a handcrafted beverage to uniquely promote you, your business, and/or production! You will also receive an official #hff24 social media blast, blog post, a newsletter shout-out, and printed signage at the bar. All proceeds from sponsored drink sales go to the Fringe. The auction is open now- May 10th! Inspire one of 3 featured cocktails on our June 12th menu by bidding here! We look forward to celebrating your show at HFF24!

HFF24 Discounts for Commissioners Club members and volunteers 
Hollywood Fringe Festival is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on volunteers and small donations to continue to support this amazing community of artists. We wouldn’t be able to run the Hollywood Fringe Festival without these amazing people! One way you can help us say thank you is by offering them a free or discounted ticket to your show.  

Here’s how to advertise your discounts for HFF members and volunteers:

STEP ONE: Create your code – our suggested discount is 25% off (or more)! For example, if your base ticket price is $12, your HFFThanks price would be $9 at 25% off. Please name your code “HFFThanks” 

STEP TWO: Fill out this form so we can add your show to the list!

Fringe Lighting Round!
Come on down to Fringe Central on May 11th & 12th and give a one-sentence summary as well as your favorite line from your show. And come in costume, make that impression! We’ll be posting it to our socials during the month of May and June! To sign up for this opportunity fill out the form and you’ll be all set to come in and film your moment!

Cabaret
Fringe Cabaret is the only official Hollywood Fringe Festival sampler platter! Bringing it back to Fringe Central for the 14th year, Cabaret Director Bella Luna is booking fun acts that include variety, magic, dance, music, comedy, and general silliness. Applications are open now! You can also promote your show by offering free tickets or swag to be raffled off during Cabaret performances!! To arrange a donation or if you have any questions email [email protected].

Runway: Showcasing The Best of Hollywood Fringe 2024 Costume Design
At our annual fashion show and party we shine the spotlight on the brilliant costumes that will grace stages across Hollywood during the festival. Select shows will be given the chance to strut their stuff, then the audience will vote for their favorite design! Get audiences excited about your show, celebrate the work of incredible fringe designers, and if you are chosen as one of our top three designs of 2024 you’ll win a prize!!

Hollywood Fringe productions can apply for the chance to compete in runway using this form: https://forms.gle/FPLiyjyWM3Gc4inN7

The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 26th before midnight. More information about the qualifying criteria is available on the application form. Good luck!

This year Fringe Central will be at the Ovation Hollywood on Hollywood and Highland! Fringe Central will also be operating throughout May & June. Here’s what’ll be going on over at Fringe Central from May to June– you’re not going to want to miss this new space and its events!

 

Operating Hours

May 15th – June 30th

Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays

5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturdays & Sundays

2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

We will be closed on Wednesday, June 12th for the 2024 Opening Night Party Co-Produced with The Los Angeles LGBT Center

May Special Events 

Saturday & Sunday, May 11th – 12th 

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Lighting Round & Postcard Drop Off

Swing by Fringe Central (during it’s preview weekend) and give us your Postcards so your show can be noticed in the space! And while you’re here participate in our Lighting Round series to get more eyes on your show. More info about that on the Artist Marketing Opportunities Blog. Make sure you get ahead and reserve a time!

Wednesday, May 15th

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Office Hours!

Office Hours in the BRAND new space the day it opens! What’s not to love?

Wednesday, May 22nd

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Office Hours!

Office Hours in the new space! What’s not to love?

Thursday, May 23rd

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Industry Speed Networking

This is an event for Industry Members and Participants

Friday, May 24th

8:00 pm PM – Cabaret #1

First Cabaret! Make sure you’re signing up to show off your Show!

Wednesday, May 29th

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Office Hours!

Office Hours in the new space! What’s not to love?

Thursday, May 30th

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Industry Panel

Come out and learn about taking your Fringe Show to the next level and beyond!

 

June Special Events

Sunday, June 2nd

7:00 PM – Cabaret #2

Second Cabaret! Make sure you’re signing up to show off your Show!

Wednesday, June 5th

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Office Hours!

That’s right, Office hours during Fringe!

Thursday, June 6th

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Industry Panel

Come hear about all the awards at Hollywood Fringe and meet the sponsored award presenters!

Friday, June 7th

7:00 PM – Cabaret #3

It’s the Scholarship Cabaret, you won’t want to miss it!

Sunday, June 9th

7:00 PM – Runway

Runway Come strut your stuff! More info on the Artist Marketing Blog

make sure you submit to the form to be considered!

Thursday, June 13th

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Press Mixer

Come meet the press of Hollywood Fringe

Sunday, June 16th

7:00 PM – Cabaret #4

Fourth Cabaret! Make sure you’re signing up to show off your Show!

Wednesday, June 19th

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Office Hours!

That’s right, Office hours during Fringe!

Thursday, June 20th

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – LAFPI Mixer

Come meet with the members of the Los Angeles Female Playwrights Initiative!

 

Friday, June 21st

8:00 PM – Cabaret #5

Make sure you’re signing up to show off your Show!

Wednesday, June 26th

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Office Hours!

Last Office Hours of the Fringe Season!

Thursday, June 27th

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Industry Panel

Come learn about what’s next for you and your show after Fringe from our panelists!

SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNSHIP 

 

Hollywood Fringe is currently seeking a Social Media Intern for the 2024 festival! Interning with Fringe is the best way to get hands-on experience behind the scenes of the largest performing arts festival on the West Coast. Interns work directly with Fringe staff to help run various aspects of the festival. 

 

APPLY HERE BY MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024 AT 11:59 PM PT.

 

Responsibilities

- In June and after the festival, for up to 30 hours a week, the intern will collaborate with Hollywood Fringe staff on maintaining our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube) by answering inbox requests, posting pre-scheduled content and assisting in managing our content creation through the festival using templates with organization preferences via Canva.

- The intern will also create one unique TikTok per week garnering festival interest.

- In June, the intern will help staff our box office under supervision of our Artist Services Manager, and work with our [email protected]/[email protected] system for up to 10 hours per week.

- Additionally, the intern will assist in day-of set-up and/or strike of major festival events: Opening Night, Fringe Awards and Closing Night Parties, as well as grab content at each event

- After the festival, in collaboration with the co-directors, the intern will pull social media analytics from the prior year, create an analysis of past performance, and create new goals for the following season.

- This process will result in a proposal for a new social media brand for 2025, including:

*Font choices

*Color schemes

*New program templates via Canva

*Video content outlines (editing to be completed by festival videographer)

 

- After the festival, the intern will additionally staff up to 10 hours per week on [email protected] inbox answering requests

 

What to Expect

- A fast-paced, collaborative, fun-filled work environment where projects and tasks can change regularly

- Experience in program management and data collection (very important skill set for future arts administrators!)

- Hands-on festival experience. Intern will become well-versed in all aspects of the Hollywood Fringe Festival

Details

 

Intern must be 21+ years of age and a current undergraduate student (or graduating between May-December, 2024)

 

As a Hollywood Fringe Intern, you will receive:

- $17.28/hour

- An official letter of recommendation after the execution of the internship

- Credit for a college course (if needed)

- 40 hours/week during the weeks of June 3-30 & July 1-19 (280 hours, Wednesday-Sunday) – 20 hours/week during the weeks of July 22-September 1st (120 hours, Wednesday-Friday) – Intern will be supervised by Co-Directors Ellen Den Herder and Lois Neville and on-site by Artist Services Manager Rody Villegas.

Qualifications

- Must be 21+ years of age

- Specific desire to be involved in late-night Hollywood Fringe events and planning

- Background in customer service or community engagement (as an employee, student or volunteer) is a plus. Experience working at large events is great!

- Ability to keep a level head in the midst of great fun and confusion

- DIY skills a major plus

- Must be proficient in Google Docs, especially Google Sheets and Google Forms