BorderLight Theatre Festival 2026 Call For Artists
Apply to perform at Cleveland's BorderLight Fringe Festival featuring theatre, dance, circus arts, and more. Applications open through Jan 16.
BorderLight Theatre Festival has opened its 2026 Call for Artists, inviting local, national, and international performers to apply for participation in the upcoming festival taking place July 8-11, 2026, at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. The BorderLight Fringe Festival provides a platform for performances across diverse genres including theatre, dance, circus arts, immersive experiences, spoken word, puppetry, street theatre, and stand-up comedy. In just eight years, BorderLight has become a launchpad for emerging artists, with alumni performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and securing full-season productions at Cleveland Public Theatre and other professional venues. Participating artists receive a percentage of box office revenue as part of BorderLight's commitment to supporting independent creators. Half of all programming slots are reserved for Northeast Ohio artists, presented alongside national and international talent, ensuring both local representation and global exchange. The festival offers audiences and artists alike a space for connection, experimentation, and discovery, positioning Cleveland as an essential destination for innovative, artist-centered work.