FRINGE CATANIA OFF

Catania OFF FRINGE
From October 17th to 20th and October 24rd to 27th, the Fringe section of Catania Off will feature 2 to 3 daily performances across all participating venues, offering a continuous stream of shows from the afternoon until late evening.

This year, the Fringe section's theater program is multilingual, welcoming international artists who have joined the festival. The theme of the Festival is travel, embodying international connections.

The participating productions were selected by a committee, comprised of a representative from each performance venue as well as an additional artistic commission, based on various multidisciplinary categories:

• Theater (Contemporary Drama, Dramedy Comedy, Classics)
• Monologues and Stand-Up
• “Off” Fringe Musicals
• Physical Theater and Clowning
• Musical Performances and Teatro Canzone
• Dance and Dance Theater
• Children’s Theatre
• Multimedia and Visual Theater

Independent artistic productions are offered various opportunities, recognitions, and professional development.

Some shows may be invited to perform at the seasons, festivals, and events of our national and international partners, or receive financial reimbursements from our partners and sponsors. These selections are made by the artistic directors of partnered institutions, a committee of industry professionals, audience votes, and the "Student Jury" project.

The Student Jury Project

Now in its third edition, the "Student Jury" project involves middle school to university aged students from various Catanese educational institutions. The project seeks to introduce students to theater, art, and culture, emphasizing the importance of their opinions and judgment and enhancing their critical thinking skills. The students' evaluations are the basis for selecting the “F.I.L” Award winner, a participation production who will receive a scholarship to support their artistic activities. 

Audience feedback is crucial for the companies. Attendees can always share their reviews on the show's individual page on our website.

The Fringe prides itself on being deeply inclusive, making theater and performing arts accessible to all. To truly embody this spirit (not just in word, but with action) the Festival offers reduced-price tickets through its partners and with initiatives such as our "suspended ticket" project, to ensure that elderly people, individuals with disabilities and their families, and low income community members can also attend Fringe performances.

WHAT IS A FRINGE FESTIVAL?

In 1947, eight theater companies rejected by the Edinburgh International Festival decided to perform anyway, creating a festival of self-produced and self-financed shows. These shows operated independently from established institutions, without subsidies, and separate from any influences or constraints on styles, forms, cultures, and religions. The only thing the artists were dependent on was their audience. Thus “Fringe” — the first independent theater festival of its kind — was born.

Since the mid-1960s, other Festivals independently modeled after the original Edinburgh Fringe have emerged worldwide, such as the OFF Festival in Avignon established in 1966. Today, Fringe and OFF Festivals remain vital to local theater communities worldwide. There are now approximately 250 Fringe Festivals globally, and Catania Off Fringe Festival is part of the World Fringe Association.