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Grant
 International Forum at the Theatertreffen

The International Forum at the Berliner Festspiele’s Theatertreffen promotes theatrical artists from all over the world. 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. 

A theatre group rehearsing Pexels/cottonbro

Conditions of Funding

This Open Call for the International Forum is addressed at theatre practitioners at the beginning of their artistic practice who have already gathered some 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, music, video, performance, choreography 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. Applicants should also have good or very good English language skills. The common working language is English.

We award grants for theatre professionals around the world to take part in the Berliner Theatertreffen. The grants generally cover all fees for participation in the programme like costs of admission, travel expenses, expenses for travel within Berlin, accommodation, food or a daily allowance.

  • at least 5 years of professional experience
  • be available to participate over the entire period of the International Forum (6 – 23 May 2027) as well as in the online preparatory meetings.
  • be committed to contribute in the International Forum’s entire programme.
  • a willingness to give a presentation at the Goethe-Institut in one’s home country following the theater festival (in consultation with the respective Goethe-Institut)
  • have good or very good English language skills

1. Take a photo that communicates your perspective on the following question: What does theatre look like for you today? This photo may be accompanied by up to three sentences, but this is not a requirement.

2. A letter of motivation (max. two A4-pages):
  • What is driving you in your theatre work at the moment?
  • Name a remarkable production you have seen in recent years, and explain why it was remarkable to you.
  • Describe your way of looking: when a theatre performance begins, how do you watch it?
3. An artistic curriculum vitae (one A4-page max.)

4. Work samples (including short descriptions, links, visual and sound material, ten A4-pages max.; 5 MB max.)

5. 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)

Theatre makers from all parts of the world can apply. They submit their applications via different institutions. Due to the federal funding structure of the International Forum, the decisive factor is the main location of work, which does not necessarily have to be the same as the place of residence.
 

I. Applicants with a main location of work in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and SwitzerlandArtists whose current main location of work is in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland apply directly to Berliner Festspiele. Please send exclusively digital applications to:
internationales-forum@berlinerfestspiele.de

II. Applicants with a main location of work in non-German-speaking countries
Artists with a current main location of work outside the German-language countries should apply via the Goethe-Institut’s application portal using the following link:
www.goethe.de/gap.

Next application deadline

Only complete applications that have been submitted before the end of the deadline will be considered.
Deadline for all applicants for the 2027 International Forum:
26 November 2026 (23:59, CET)

Contact

Thomas Stumpp
Dance & Theatre Division
thomas.stumpp@goethe.de Tel. +49 89 15921 342
Johanna Rolshausen
Berliner Festspiele | Theatertreffen | International Forum
internationales-forum@berlinerfestspiele.de Tel. +49 30 25489-129 / -375

International applications

DE, AT, CH, LU

The programme

The International Forum’s programme is based on the following pillars:
  • attending all performances and the accompanying programme of the 2027 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 other opportunities to see some performances in Berlin outside of the frame of Theatertreffen. 
The detailed programme of the International Forum will be announced in April 2027.

Further information

Website Berliner Festspiele

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