Apply to TCHF XIV
Twin Cities Horror Festival is the longest running live performance horror festival in the nation and we’re proud to be launching our fourteenth year of onstage terror in 2025!
We believe horror is for everyone. TCHF is a juried festival whose goal is to feature the many facets of horror through varying creators across artistic disciplines (theatre, dance, cabaret, puppetry, short film festival, spooky kids programming, etc.) while also creating a superb experience for our participants and patrons. Productions should be fully realized and not "works in progress". You may submit multiple ideas for consideration; however, no company or individual will be selected to produce more than one show at the festival, even if in different performance spaces. There is no application fee to apply.
The application link is located at the bottom of this page. APPLICANTS MUST READ THIS PRIMER BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION.
We believe horror is for everyone. TCHF is a juried festival whose goal is to feature the many facets of horror through varying creators across artistic disciplines (theatre, dance, cabaret, puppetry, short film festival, spooky kids programming, etc.) while also creating a superb experience for our participants and patrons. Productions should be fully realized and not "works in progress". You may submit multiple ideas for consideration; however, no company or individual will be selected to produce more than one show at the festival, even if in different performance spaces. There is no application fee to apply.
The application link is located at the bottom of this page. APPLICANTS MUST READ THIS PRIMER BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION.
TCHF XIV Primer
TCHF XIV runs October 16-30th, 2025. We plan for the festival to be in-person* at The Crane Theater in Minneapolis, MN. We are expanding this year: Up to thirteen productions will be selected to perform in rotating slots throughout our 15-day festival.
We offer two performance spaces in The Crane Theater: the Mainstage and the Studio. Productions on the mainstage and the studio will not perform simultaneously; TCHF has one main schedule that includes both spaces.
Scheduling Example:
The studio space, on the other hand, is a unique opportunity for a production to remain stationary for five consecutive performances, meaning a team wouldn't need to set up/take down for every slot during their designated performance period. This provides more flexibility for the production design. The studio has a capacity of 40 seats; which means a max of 200 tickets are able to be sold for an entire studio run (this includes any producer comps). If you plan to have a stage configuration with fewer seats, we would need you to disclose that in your application, and have an exact seat count communicated to us by September 1st for ticketing purposes. Only two productions will be selected for this space. The first group will have five performances within the first half of the festival, and the second group will have five performances in the second half of the festival. The second group will be required to tech their production on a weekday outside of festival performance hours (5:30pm-10:00pm).
All TCHF productions (Mainstage & Studio):
**Qualifying productions may be awarded a BIPOC Artist Fund scholarship, which could lower the producer fee. More details provided in the section below.
We offer two performance spaces in The Crane Theater: the Mainstage and the Studio. Productions on the mainstage and the studio will not perform simultaneously; TCHF has one main schedule that includes both spaces.
Scheduling Example:
- 6:00pm Group A on Mainstage
- 7:30pm Group B in Studio
- 9:00pm Group C on Mainstage
The studio space, on the other hand, is a unique opportunity for a production to remain stationary for five consecutive performances, meaning a team wouldn't need to set up/take down for every slot during their designated performance period. This provides more flexibility for the production design. The studio has a capacity of 40 seats; which means a max of 200 tickets are able to be sold for an entire studio run (this includes any producer comps). If you plan to have a stage configuration with fewer seats, we would need you to disclose that in your application, and have an exact seat count communicated to us by September 1st for ticketing purposes. Only two productions will be selected for this space. The first group will have five performances within the first half of the festival, and the second group will have five performances in the second half of the festival. The second group will be required to tech their production on a weekday outside of festival performance hours (5:30pm-10:00pm).
All TCHF productions (Mainstage & Studio):
- Will receive five performance slots.
- Will have one three-hour tech rehearsal at the Crane Theater. A technician will be provided to run cues.
- Must be a duration of at least 45 minutes and a max of 60 minutes, including curtain call.
- Must pay a production fee of $600**
- Must abide by TCHF policies and timelines.
**Qualifying productions may be awarded a BIPOC Artist Fund scholarship, which could lower the producer fee. More details provided in the section below.
THE MONEY STUFF
TCHF is proud to continue our mission of "ensuring creators are paid for their work" by paying producing artists in the festival 100% of their individual ticket and punch pass sales (minus credit card and vendor processing fees). To help fund continued festival operations, TCHF retains all sales of Unlimited Access Skeleton Keys. A full breakdown and timetable of payouts will be available in the Producers Handbook which is distributed upon acceptance into the festival.
For line of sight on possible profits from a festival production, an average payout for a 2024 Mainstage production was $3,330.87 for five performances (100% of individual tickets and punch passes in a 80 seat venue). The average payout for a 2024 Lab space production was $2483.83 for five performances (100% of individual tickets and punch passes in a 40 seat venue). Please keep in mind profits are dependent on audience attendance and can vary.
TCHF recognizes the importance of amplifying BIPOC voices in the Twin Cities community and beyond. We understand that one obstacle for producing artists getting their work on stage is financial stress, so in response, we have created our BIPOC Artist Fund to assist with financial support. These funds will cover a portion of production fees for BIPOC producers, writers and/or directors.
For line of sight on possible profits from a festival production, an average payout for a 2024 Mainstage production was $3,330.87 for five performances (100% of individual tickets and punch passes in a 80 seat venue). The average payout for a 2024 Lab space production was $2483.83 for five performances (100% of individual tickets and punch passes in a 40 seat venue). Please keep in mind profits are dependent on audience attendance and can vary.
TCHF recognizes the importance of amplifying BIPOC voices in the Twin Cities community and beyond. We understand that one obstacle for producing artists getting their work on stage is financial stress, so in response, we have created our BIPOC Artist Fund to assist with financial support. These funds will cover a portion of production fees for BIPOC producers, writers and/or directors.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
TCHF has a multi-step curation process in selecting festival productions:
1. Applications are due March 15th, 2025 at the Witching Hour (11:59pm CST).
2. A curation panel composed of members of the Twin Cities theatre community will work in collaboration with TCHF Artistic Director Nissa Nordland to review applications and select a candidate pool. All candidates will be notified via email whether or not they are moving on to the interview stage of curation by April 5th.
3. Selected candidates will interview with the Artistic Director the weekend of April 12-13th. Each group must provide at least one individual who can speak to all facets of the production in a 27-minute virtual interview via Zoom (there will not be alternative dates provided).
4. Chosen productions will be notified via email by Friday, April 18th and must reply with their offer acceptance by 5:00pm CT, Monday, April 21st. If a group declines or fails to respond within that time, we will offer the slot to another company.
5. Full Production Fees and signed Production Handbooks are due no later than May 5th.
Please note that unforeseen circumstances, like Covid-19 related activity, may change these timelines.
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE APPLYING
1. You are responsible for creating your production. This includes writing, casting actors, hiring production staff, sourcing/paying for rehearsal space, etc. If you have over 20 technical cues, we HIGHLY encourage you to hire a stage manager to call your show.
2. You are responsible for providing all costumes, props, sound cues, and set pieces (as needed) for your production. Please be aware that storage space at the venue is extremely limited, especially for the mainstage.
3. You are responsible for marketing your own show. TCHF does general marketing for the festival lineup with regular social media updates and emails to patrons/press leading up to and during the festival. TCHF will create a page on our website for your show with a publicity photo, ratings, short description, and ticket link.
4. TCHF will handle all ticketing and front of house operations.
5. We will require all artists to follow state mandates and CDC requirements regarding Covid-19. If there is a superspreader event, artists must provide their own masks, face shields and tests. We will provide cleaning supplies for general usage.
6. Out-of-Town Artists: TCHF makes no guarantee of housing or transportation, but we will do our best to solicit our networks and connect you with possible leads for billeting.
We are interested in hearing non-traditional ideas and ways to bring new horror experiences to our audiences. If you have an idea outside of the standard festival schedule, like a one-time event or a lobby experience, we still encourage you to apply.
*Please direct any questions about this application to Artistic Director Nissa Nordland at [email protected]. DO NOT contact The Crane Theater directly.
2. You are responsible for providing all costumes, props, sound cues, and set pieces (as needed) for your production. Please be aware that storage space at the venue is extremely limited, especially for the mainstage.
3. You are responsible for marketing your own show. TCHF does general marketing for the festival lineup with regular social media updates and emails to patrons/press leading up to and during the festival. TCHF will create a page on our website for your show with a publicity photo, ratings, short description, and ticket link.
4. TCHF will handle all ticketing and front of house operations.
5. We will require all artists to follow state mandates and CDC requirements regarding Covid-19. If there is a superspreader event, artists must provide their own masks, face shields and tests. We will provide cleaning supplies for general usage.
6. Out-of-Town Artists: TCHF makes no guarantee of housing or transportation, but we will do our best to solicit our networks and connect you with possible leads for billeting.
We are interested in hearing non-traditional ideas and ways to bring new horror experiences to our audiences. If you have an idea outside of the standard festival schedule, like a one-time event or a lobby experience, we still encourage you to apply.
*Please direct any questions about this application to Artistic Director Nissa Nordland at [email protected]. DO NOT contact The Crane Theater directly.
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