Theatre and Dance NI, in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by the British Council Northern Ireland and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, is inviting applications for Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.
Now in its seventh year, Spotlight supports theatre and dance artists and companies from Northern Ireland to connect, network and present at the world’s largest arts marketplace, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Spotlight has helped Northern Ireland artists and companies connect with presenters and programmers from across the UK and beyond. Recent successes include Consumed, which was featured at Spotlight 2025 before securing license to show in Caracas, Venezuela, demonstrating the programme’s potential to open doors to international opportunities.
Eligibility Notice: Applicants must be current Theatre and Dance NI members and have held an active membership for a minimum of six months prior to the application deadline (19th June 2026).
What is Spotlight?
Spotlight offers selected artists and companies the opportunity to pitch their work directly to an invited audience of national and international delegates at a dedicated event during Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Three successful applicants will be selected to deliver a short pitch (up to 8 minutes) and promote their work at a showcase event taking place at in Edinburgh, on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Participants will also receive:
- Financial support to attend and participate
- One-to-one guidance on developing and delivering an effective pitch
- Opportunities to connect with national and international delegates
- Support in exploring future touring and collaboration opportunities
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be currently based and working in Northern Ireland.
- Be a current member of Theatre and Dance NI (membership must be active for a minimum of 6 months before the application deadline).
- Work presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, will be tour-ready (nationally and/or internationally).
- Evidence of positive independent critical recognition to be provided.
- High-quality video and photography of the work required.
- Applicants must currently be based and working in Northern Ireland.
- Applicants must be present to deliver a pitch (up to 8 minutes) and engage directly with delegates at the Spotlight event on Tuesday 18th August 2026.
- Applicants must be available to attend the photocall and artist information session in The MAC on Wednesday 1st July 2026.
How Applications Will Be Assessed
Applications will be assessed based on the following:
- Fulfilment of the above eligibility criteria.
- Touring potential of the production (in terms of performance, production values, and content).
- Artistic quality.
- The artist’s or company’s capacity to engage with touring opportunities that may arise from participation.
- Demonstrated awareness of current programming trends across national and international festivals and venues.
The application process will be managed by Theatre and Dance NI, with selections made by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in collaboration with independent panelists.
Important Information
Successful applicants must be available for preparatory activities with Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and other industry professionals and be present to engage directly with international presenters at the Spotlight event on Tuesday 18th August 2026 in Edinburgh.
Apply here:
Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026Â
Application deadline: Friday 19th June 2026.
Access Support
If written applications are not your preferred form of communication, you may submit a video or audio application instead. Please provide links to your files within the relevant sections of the application form.
If you have any access requirements or require support completing your application, please contact operations@theatreanddanceni.org and we will be happy to help.