Applications
The Sit-Up Awards, presented at the Edinburgh Fringe, support theatre productions in their pursuit of significant social impact. Our analysis reveals that annually over 300 plays at the Edinburgh Fringe address diverse social issues - these awards seek to enhance the impact that those productions can have on audience engagement and behaviour.
The influence of theatre goes beyond the live performance and can bring about change in audiences and society at large. The awards’ objective is both to inspire productions to fully engage with audiences during the Fringe, and to empower our overall winning production to continue to achieve wider societal impact beyond the festival.
Our goal is to identify and support a production that wants to go beyond raising awareness and has a clear intent to shift audience behaviour and contribute to broader societal transformation.
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The winner of the 2025 Sit-Up Award will receive:
A spot at the SoHo Playhouse’s prestigious International Fringe Encore Series in February or March 2026 including a cash prize of £5,000 towards expenses.
Venue, accommodation and production provision from SoHo Playhouse and support during their time in New York.
An additional cash prize will be given to the winner to achieve change through engagement with audiences and wider society both in New York and other locations.
Sit-Up will also extend further assistance to the recipient, including mentoring and strategic support.
To apply for the SIT-UP Award please follow the application process below .
Please read all the eligibility criteria before completing the process and ensure that you can comply.
Please note that the slot at the Soho Playhouse is subject to the practicaility of touring the show abroad.
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We are introducing a Code of Best Practice, aiming to encourage all theatre companies to actively engage with their audiences in relation to any social issues or themes in their show/s.
A best practice approach would be as follows:
Before the performance
Spread the word: Use marketing materials such as flyers, your website, social media, and posters to clearly communicate any social issues addressed in the show. If necessary, give audiences a heads up about sensitive or graphic content in advance.At the performance
Inform: Point audiences towards useful information. Provide links/QR codes to charities, petitions, or other ways to get involved onto the posters at the venue, in the program, or on a simple handout. Make it easy for audiences to take action or get support if they want to.After the performance
Keep the conversation going: Engage with audiences affected by the performance, for example by hosting Q&As, panel discussions or creating break out areas and other opportunities to meet with the audience.
For further information and questions please contact us at hello@situpawards.orgWe ask you to support the Sit-Up Awards code of best practice. Please share with Sit-Up Awards what is working and how you're actively keeping audiences engaged.
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The main Sit-Up Award will be given to companies that comply with the following eligibility criteria:
A professional company
Those able to accept the spot at the SoHo Playhouse, NYC (planned for February or March 2026) and not subject to any international touring restrictions
A company performing in Edinburgh for a minimum of two weeks during the 2025 Fringe festival
A production that addresses an issue with universal appeal (e.g such as abuse, misogyny, environment etc.)
A company who believes achieving change should be integral to your company’s ethos
A company with a history of (or firm plans to) work with a relevant charity or campaigning organisation
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Entries may be received from both recommendations and direct applications. The selection of the overall winner will be conducted by a panel that will evaluate both the artistic merit and the potential societal impacts of the entries.
We are aware that we are setting a remarkably high standard in our quest to identify a truly impactful production.
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The closing date for all applications is 25th July 2025.
The overall Sit-Up Award winner will be announced on 23rd August 2025.
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Application will be by completion of a form on Google Docs - the information provided will be use solely in pursuit of the award process.
Below we’ve put the key questions included in the online form to assist you in preparing essential information prior to starting the online process. Please keep your responses as short as possible.
Should you have any questions or can provide links to further relevant information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
About you
Your name
Your email address
Your phone number
Your show name
A brief description of your show
Your company name
Type of company (professional, semi-professional, amateur, student/youth)
Past production experience of your company
Your website (if applicable)
Social media links
About the production
Show Venue
Dates of show
How many cast members
Length of performance
Details of any pre-Edinburgh 2025 runs
About the social issue
What is the social issue your production highlights? (e.g. the environment, human rights etc.)
What is the change in society you wish to achieve?
How do you plan to achieve this?
Why is this issue important to your company?
Do you have any plans for audience engagement in Edinburgh and/or elsewhere?
How would you hope your audience will change their behaviour after seeing your play?
Do you have any plans for the production after Edinburgh?
Are you working with a charity or other campaigning organisation and if so which one?
Have they pledged any support for your production? If so, what?
There will be a place to include anything else that you think might be relevant and not covered above.
Be sure to have read the above information before starting the application process.
Closing date for applications is 25th July 2025