Join us!


What we do…

The Toronto Festival of Clowns aims to bring together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and backgrounds and provide a common space to showcase their work. Now entering our 8th year, the festival continues to encourage the risk and exploration of the clown, hosting new and established works that inspire and delight.
Past festivals have hosted some of North America’s top clowns, including Mark Andrada, Paul Wildbaum, Ravi Jain, David Craig (Napalm the Magnificent), Eric Davis (Red Bastard), Adam Paolozza, Helen Donnelly (Foo), Chris Gibbs, Melissa D’Agostino, Jan Henderson, Anand Rajaram, Leah Cherniak, Christel Bartelse, Jeff Krahn, Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour, Christian Laurin (Rutabagan), Sandra Battaglini, Jeff Kraun, Phil Luzi, Rick Roberts, Mysterion the Mind Reader, Sue Morrison, John Turner (Mump and Smoot)… to name a few.


Call for performers…

We are looking for 4 full-length productions with a maximum show length of 60 minutes. We are thrilled that the Toronto Festival of Clowns continues to grow and thrive! This year, we are expanding and adding an extra day to the festival and offering all full-length shows an extra time slot.

All forms and styles of clowning and physical theatre are encouraged to apply – Red nose, mask, bouffon, character pieces, acrobatics, puppetry, et al. Please note that the festival is not tailored towards children.

For information on last year’s festival, check out www.torontofestivalofclowns.com

How to Apply…

Your application should include the following:
1. Primary contact name, phone, snail and email addresses
2. The title of your piece, playwright, genre and running time
3. Performer/company names and bios
4. Short description of piece – 50 words or less
5. Letter of intent, artist statement (maximum 3 pages)
6. Support materials: Photos, videos, audio files. Hard copies are great or send digital files to festival@torontoclown.com
7. Technical or other special requirements (we may be able to accommodate with enough notice)
8. 2 cheques/money orders payable to Canada Clown:
a. a non-refundable $30 CDN administration fee

b. $200 production fee: This will ONLY be cashed if your show is accepted into the Festival – if your show is not accepted, the cheque will be destroyed
We must receive your application on or before Monday January 28th, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. On or before February 11th you will be contacted regarding the status of your application. Should your show be accepted, you will be notified at this time of performance dates and times.

NOTE: If you withdraw from the festival after March 18th, you will lose 50% ($100) of your production fee. If you withdraw from the festival after May 1st, your $200 production fee will not be refunded.

To apply send your submission to:

Toronto Festival of Clowns
720 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON, M5S 2R5

What you get…
• An extended run of 3 performance dates and times over the duration of the festival
• A 3 hour tech time scheduled the week of the festival
• All performances in the Pia Bauman ScotiaBank Studio Theatre. A 115 seat theatre, with back stage access and a back cross
• Basic festival lighting and sound capability
• 2 lighting specials per company
• One tech operator
• A green room
• Blanket festival publicity – the Festival has been featured in the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, CBC, Andy Barrie in the morning, NOW Magazine and the Festival has also served as a scouting ground for Cirque du Soleil.
• 90% percent of the ticket money sold for your show. Single tickets will cost $15.

NOTE: You must PROVIDE YOUR OWN STAGE MANAGER for your production should you be accepted into the Festival.
If you have any questions please feel free to email:
festival@torontoclown.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Festival Producers:
Adam Lazarus and Dave McKay