the fTB x fringemtl 2025 review lottery opens

An Open Letter to FringeMTL Artists from Forget The Box Creative Director Andrew Jamieson

As the excitement and energy of Fringe season descends upon Montreal once again, Forget The Box is gearing up for our third annual Review Lottery. While you pour your heart, soul, time, and finances into crafting the most compelling FringeMTL production possible, we're diligently assembling our review team and finalizing our coverage plan for this year's festival.

Since our relaunch in 2023, Forget The Box has been immensely proud to offer an unprecedented level of dedicated coverage to the FringeMTL community. In the past two years alone, we've published a remarkable 63 in-depth reviews spanning both official FringeMTL and OFF-Fringe productions. Beyond reviews, we've also contributed 6 insightful features that celebrate the vibrant spirit and unique facets of this essential two-week explosion of theatre and performance. To put it plainly, no other publication in this city has demonstrated such a profound commitment to documenting the diverse tapestry that is FringeMTL.

This dedication hasn't been without its challenges, and it's important to be transparent about that. Our mission to provide fair and accessible reviews for FringeMTL artists has, regrettably, been met with resistance, the spread of unfounded rumors, and at times, outright hostility. For those unfamiliar with the specifics: during our inaugural year of coverage, I penned a review of a particular production that I unequivocally described as "unfinished, unprepared, and unprofessional." As well, the production was absent of integral content warnings, particularly focused on graphic sexual content. My assessment, then and now, remains firm: the piece, in its presented state, simply did not warrant the cost of admission.

The subsequent reaction was both telling and deeply concerning. Amy Blackmore, in her capacity as Artistic and Executive Director of MainLine Theatre/FringeMTL, demanded that Forget The Box censor this legitimate critical assessment. Let me be clear in saying such a demand constitutes an egregious overreach and a blatant disregard for the fundamental principles of free press. After careful consultation within our community, our response was a resolute "no." The attempt by an individual in a position of significant influence to manipulate independent media is, plainly, unacceptable. Arts coverage is journalism, and the protection of journalistic integrity is a cornerstone of a healthy artistic ecosystem.

This incident understandably created friction, particularly with Amy Blackmore, as we steadfastly continued our commitment to providing an astounding number of reviews for Fringe artists, operating entirely independently of the festival's direct control. This endeavor demanded significant time and resources, but the value of offering Fringe productions, many with aspirations for future development, an honest, thoughtful, and well-articulated review made every effort worthwhile. Montreal's theatre artists deserve dedicated attention, and nothing should obstruct the provision of meaningful critical engagement with their work. It's crucial to understand that both positive and critical reviews play an essential role in the growth and development of independent theatre. Positive reviews can amplify your reach and validate your artistic choices, while thoughtful critical feedback can offer valuable insights for future iterations and spark important conversations within productions themselves, and the greater artistic community. To understand the ethos behind our coverage, I urge you to invest 5-10 minutes in exploring our archive of past Fringe reviews. You will find a consistent dedication to encouragement, authenticity, and a deeply considered approach in every piece. The evidence speaks for itself.

With that necessary context addressed, let's turn our attention to the vital role of informed and genuine arts criticism.

The Forget The Box review team for 2025 comprises talented and qualified writers dedicated to providing thorough and insightful analyses of your productions. Their aim is not simply to praise or critique, but to engage meaningfully with your work. They are passionate about lifting up emerging and established artists, shining a light on the diverse stories and performances that make FringeMTL, and our city itself, so dynamic. We believe that thoughtful reviews, whether celebratory or constructively critical, can play a vital role in connecting your work with a wider audience and contributing to the ongoing development of your artistic endeavors.

While we are genuinely enthusiastic about covering FringeMTL once again this year, due to limited resources, we have had to make the decision to scale back our coverage. However, we remain committed to reviewing a substantial 25 productions, representing over a quarter of the entire festival lineup.

I encourage you to submit your production for our Review Lottery. We are eager to experience the stories you are bringing to life, and we are dedicated to supporting you by amplifying your voice and encouraging audiences to discover your work.

Forget The Box occupies a unique and crucial position within Montreal's arts landscape. Despite a perplexing and, frankly, antagonistic relationship with FringeMTL itself, our allegiance, and our focus, lies solely with the artists. In an era marked by divisive culture wars and the alarming decline of arts coverage across the continent, we stand firmly in support of the independent creators who form the backbone of this festival. Let me reiterate: our commitment is exclusively to the Fringe artists participating in this year's festival. Submit your show for review. We want to witness your vision and help you gain visibility within the dynamic environment of FringeMTL.

Finally, if you harbor any reservations or uncertainties, I recommend you to explore the Forget The Box website, paying particular attention to our past Fringe reviews. You will find a consistent demonstration of our core values: to promote, to challenge thoughtfully, and ultimately, to encourage and uplift.

We exist for you, the artists.

Andrew Jamieson

The Forget The Box x FringeMTL 2025 Review Lottery Team

TARA MCGOWAN-ROSS (@girthgirl)
Tara McGowan-Ross is an urban L'nu multidisciplinary artist and writer. Her work has been featured in print and online, and anthologized in Best Canadian Poetry and Poesie actuelle de les femmes au Québec 2000-2020. Her memoir Nothing Will Be Different was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize, which is the largest nonfiction award in Canada. (www.taramcgowanross.substack.com)

ANDREW JAMIESON (@fakejamieson)
Andrew Jamieson is a Montreal-based experimental immersive artist and multidisciplinary creator, captivating audiences through boundary-pushing work that spans writing, spoken word, singing, acting, dancing, modeling, graffiti, and sculpture.

Driven by a Metamodern sensibility, Andrew's immersive storytelling and live performances embrace both sincerity and irony, resulting in experiences that are simultaneously engaging and thought-provoking. His artistic practice is characterized by a willingness to revisit, reimagine, and build upon previous ideas, leading to increasingly rich and complex immersive environments.

As the Creative Director of Forget The Box, a Montreal-based online art magazine focused on ground level, underground, and marginalized art, Andrew is deeply committed to fostering community and accessibility within the arts. He further shares his passion and expertise through teaching, performance coaching, and dramaturgical support, and is a sought-after event producer within Montreal's vibrant artistic landscape. (www.whothefuckisandrewjamieson.com)

DJ FRASER (@chaoticheartburn)
Dorian J. Fraser is a writer, curator and professor in Montréal/Tiotià:ke. He has a PhD in Art History and writes at the intersections of theory and actually experiencing art in the world. Largely focused on the interplay of public funding and subversive queer art, he also enjoys reviving generalist art historical curriculum for the contemporary moment. Beyond academic publications, he enjoys writing zines, experimental and short fiction. He believes Montreal is the last city for artists in Canada, and stakes hope in the transformative power of creative energy.

CANDICE ANN (@c.ndice)
Candice Ann is the Managing Editor at Forget The Box. She is a writer, poet, and serial-hobbyist based in Montreal with an undergraduate degree in English Literature. Her interests include used books, cats, iced drinks, and trinkets, and she’s excited to experience her first FringeMTL festival this year!

DAWN MCSWEENEY (@mcsweeney514)
Editor-at-Large of Forget The Box, Dawn McSweeney is the longest standing contributor to the magazine. A novelist, essayist, and host, in the past year Dawn has taken her talents to the stage in the form of stand up comedy. Most recently, she's taken on the prestigious role of co-host of the Comedy on Mackay Open Mic, and is a super proud member of the team.

BAILEY B. CARTER (@bails.o.bailey)
Bailey (she/they) loves weird art. When they're not helping adults with anxiety as a creative arts therapist, Bailey likes to make things, dance, go on adventures, and consume weird art. Bonus if she can do all four at once!

Forget The Box x FringeMTL 2025 Review Lottery Details

Enter to win one of 30 available FringeMTL 2025 reviews from Forget The Box!

One entry per production.
Both Fringe and OFF-Fringe shows are qualified. English & French!

Productions will provide their three earliest performance dates, and reviewers will be scheduled accordingly.

Unfortunately without the support of FringeMTL, producers will have to provide a single ticket to our reviewers directly. The FTB FringeMTL Review Team will determine the review schedule on May 30, 2025 and producers will be notified immediately after. It is imperative to schedule and confirm tickets as close to the start of the festival as possible, as we're coordinating a team of 5, and time is valuable! We don't want anyone to miss this opportunity!

Reviews will be published starting June 5, 2025 on Forget The Box.

LOTTERY CLOSES MAY 27, 2025 @ MIDNIGHT

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF FORGET THE BOX! We are here to support the artists of this amazing festival! You! We're here to give you the attention you all deserve!

ENTER THE FORGET THE BOX x FRINGEMTL 2025 REVIEW LOTTERY NOW!