Applications are now open for The Next Act Fund!
The Next Act Fund supports Australian artists presenting new work at FRINGE WORLD Festival 2027, with up to five grants available. Each successful recipient will receive a $5,000 cash grant plus a marketing support package valued at $1,500 to help bring bold, original Australian stories to the stage.
Applications are open now and close 10.00am (AWST), Monday 24 August 2026. If you're an Australian artist, collective or company with a new work ready for FRINGE WORLD 2027, we'd love to hear from you.
Creating opportunities for all
FRINGE WORLD is committed to a presenting a diverse festival and providing opportunities for all artists to present their work. This year there are two special designated Next Act Fund Awards:
- First Nations artist(s) / collectives
- d/Deaf and/or Disabled artist(s) / collectives
Please contact us if you need any assistance completing your application. We'd love to hear from you!
Well done to the FRINGE WORLD 2026 Next Act Fund finalists 🏆
The Next Act Fund is a grant supported by donations to the Fringe Fund. Through an application process, 5 shows were selected (out of a competitive 37 applications) for 2026.
Weeping Spoon Productions (WA)
Theatre & Performance
Shock Jocks
A dark-comedic look at who two commercial radio presenters really are when the the mics are off-air
Kelly Lim Harris (WA)
Cabaret & Variety
Yellow Fever: An Original Musical Cabaret
A shocking, hilarious, bold exposé of a young Asian woman's quest to find love beyond fetish.
The Blue Room & The Simic Theatre Co (WA)
Theatre & Performance
Bush Chook
If a beer cracks in the bush and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
George Glass (SA)
Comedy
George Glass - Dial M For Mushrooms
Like Agatha Christie on Mushrooms. Featuring live rock music and outrageous costumes!
Mummy's Plastic (WA)
Theatre & Performance
The Wetness
A silly, sexy, surreal late night mass for the slippery substance inside