You've got an idea, you've got a crew, you've got some cash, but have you got a place to perform? Get the lowdown on finding a venue suitable for your show...

THE RIGHT VENUE

It's worth looking at several venues to see what will work for your show - to make sure the space is suitable first for what you need in terms of format, stage size and audience capacity. Most venues have a website, check out the space and see what they hosted last year to give you a sense of the type of shows they programme.

There is no limit to where you can perform in Edinburgh and some of the wackiest spaces make for brilliant theatrical experiences. Venues can include for example, a swimming pool, nightclub, a caravan, a flat, and more commonly pubs and hotels - there are spaces for every type of show.

Check out what facilities they have. Many Fringe venues do not operate year round. Temporary Fringe venues may be churches, halls or hotels and may be different to the spaces that you are used to performing in.

Decide what time slot is best for your show, based on who you imagine to be the audience for your show for example a show for families would be programmed during the day.

The location of the venue is important too check out what other venues are around you, and how audiences will be able to get to the venue. 

HOW MUCH WILL A VENUE COST ME?

As a rough estimate, a middle range venue with average facilities (including changing rooms, technical), a company might pay in the region of £100 per 100 seats per day.  The venue will negotiate a fee with you, and below are the most common deals you will come across; 

Straight rental - you pay a fixed fee in return for 100% of the box office. You will probably need to pay up front with this deal.

Box office split - this might be 60% to you and 40% to the venue. This would be negotiated ahead of signing the contract.

Box Office split with a guarantee - this is a combination of the above deals you would agree a fixed fee that would be paid unless the box office split amounts to more.

THE VENUE PROGRAMMER

Once you have identified a group of venues you think would work for your show you need to approach the programmer to see whether they would agree take your show. The venue programmer leads on the artistic vision for the venue.

Be prepared to sell your show by pulling together as much as you can about a project.

A synopsis - a minimum of 1 page per

The script - or excerpts

DVD / Photographs

Recording scripts 

Image from www.theedinburghblog.co.uk