Open Call: International Forum at the Theatertreffen 2025

It sees itself as a networking platform for young theatre makers, an interdisciplinary laboratory and a self-reflective aspect of Theatertreffen, enabling in-depth analysis of German-language theatre production.

The International Forum is a platform for global exchange and the promotion of young theatre makers, an initial impetus for collaboration, the search for diverse local perspectives on global issues, and a free space for communal play. It focusses less on the completed work than on all the creative processes that precede artistic work to gather new impulses for individual artistic practice.

Once again in 2025, around 35 artists from around the world who are setting out on their artistic practice will be invited to come to Berlin, to watch theatre together, to talk, to (re-)consider, to experiment and to make connections. The fellows will have the opportunity to attend the festival, to take part in intensive workshops with international artists, to reflect together the productions invited to theater meetings and theatre in general and to exchange ideas.

Program Specifications

• The International Forum’s programme is based on the following pillars:
  • Attending all performances and the accompanying programme of the 2025 Theatertreffen
  • Intensive workshops with artists on performing arts practise
  • Exclusive artist talks and events related to Theatertreffen
  • Discussions with the festival director and members of the Theatertreffen-jury
  • Exchange and networking opportunities with international theatre directors and curators in co-operation with the Goethe-Institut as well as Theatertreffen’s programmes for promoting young artists
  • Excursions and opportunities to see performances in Berlin outside the frame of Theatertreffen

Benefits

• In general, the scholarship includes all costs for participation in the programme:
  • Tickets for all productions invited to Theatertreffen as well as for other festival events
  • Contribution to travel expenses for fellows who are not residents in Berlin; full or partial coverage depending on the country from where the application is made (most economic travel option applies)
  • Expenses for travel within Berlin on public transport (excluding fellows who are residents in Berlin)
  • Hotel accommodation including breakfast (excluding fellows who are residents in Berlin)
  • Per diem or subsistence allowance (this depends on the country of origin and does not apply to fellows who are residents in Berlin)
  • Catering
  • Travel and health insurance (for international fellows)
  • Visa fees (for international fellows)

Eligibility Criteria

• This Open Call for the International Forum is addressed at artists at the beginning of their artistic practice who have already gathered some initial professional experience. They may be from all sectors of the performing arts, especially from the fields of directing, acting, set and costume design, dramaturgy, text production, music, video, performance, media, choreography, production management and theatre education.
• Applicants should:
  • have around five years of artistic professional experience in the above mentioned fields and be between around 25 to 35 years of age.
  • The decisive factor is the point reached within the person’s creative development. Age is a guide line, not an exclusion criterion.
  • have good or very good English language skills. The common working language is English.
• Applicants are expected to:
  • be available to participate over the entire period of the International Forum (2 – 18 May 2025) as well as in the online meetings in the run-up to the festival
  • be committed to contribute in the International Forum’s entire programme
  • be interested and contribute actively to the programme of Theatertreffen

Application Requirements

• Applications must include the following documents (only complete applications that have been submitted before the end of the deadline will be considered):
  • A filled-in application form, including contact information of two theatre-/culture-workers who can recommend your artistic work
  • An artistic curriculum vitae (one A4-page max)
  • Work samples (including short descriptions, links, visual and sound material, ten A4-pages max; 5 MB max)
  • A confirmation of release from your employing theatre or institution for the entire period of the International Forum (this only applies to artists in permanent employment)
  • Take a photo that communicates your perspective on the following questions:
    • What does theatre look like for you today? What is on your mind right now? The photo may be accompanied by three sentences max, but this is not a requirement.
  • A letter of motivation considering the following questions (max two A4-pages):
    • What do you hope to gain from Theatertreffen and the International Forum? And what can you contribute to make it a successful experience?
    • Describe a remarkable production that you have seen in the past few years and why this work was remarkable for you. In which way did it influence your artistic development?
    • What is the relationship between depot and street, theatrical and real space in your working method?

For more information, visit Goethe Institut.