The SIT-UP Awards is an annual award at the Edinburgh Fringe to reward and support theatre to achieve greater social impact. This is an initiative of the UK registered charity Changing Ideas Limited For more details about who we are see our About Us page.
We believe in the power of theatre to achieve change both in audiences and wider society. In 2023, we have decided to make up to 2 awards of £5,000 each ahead of the Fringe to enable a company to be able to fully engage with audiences during their run and also achieve wider societal impact with their work both during and after the Fringe.
The award will be made in advance of the Fringe to enable the winner to be able to achieve maximum impact during their run.
The award will only be given to a company who can show a proven track record in audience engagement and a demonstrable ability to use theatre to achieve change. In addition to the cash prize of £5,000, we are also providing additional support through our networks and contacts.
We care about plays that have an impact beyond audiences so try to be as specific as possible in your goals and explain the details of your campaigning strategy with the charity you are working with.
We want to know:-
Please also attach to your application form any plan, budget or other relevant information. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Applications must be submitted as soon as possible and the closing date is 30th June 2023.
The SIT-UP Awards were first launched at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe to recognise Social Impact Theatre. This means theatre that tangibly affects people’s lives or brings about change in society.
Every year, there are fantastic plays that delicately and powerfully tell stories about important social issues. Unfortunately the momentum usually ends once the audience leaves the auditorium. When we surveyed production companies, we found that most did not engage with their audiences beyond the production itself. There are many ways this can be done such as by providing a flyer, getting your audience to make a social pledge, holding a post-show discussion or linking with a charity to provide educational materials.
So we decided to provide help and support to theatre makers to amplify and extend the reach of their work before, during, and after their productions. This has involved facilitating post show discussions, linking companies and charities, funding information sheets for audiences, buying tickets for those affected to see shows and more.
We have put together various case studies and resources inspired by previous award winners and those shortlisted for the awards. There is also analysis of the topics covered by shows at prefious Fringe Festivals.
Before your show
Immediately after your show
After
These are the previous winners, follow the links for more details and information on other awards we have given to outstanding shows.
2022 - The Beatles Were A Boyband - F-Bomb Theatre
2019 - Who Cares - LUNG and The Lowry in partnership with Gaddum
2018 - Dangerous Giant Animals - Christina Murdock