Six open calls aimed at different theatre and cultural practitioners mark the full-force emergence of The New Theatre Market (NTM) project in the region’s cultural scene.
The Industry Pitch, Theatre Market, Showcase, Industry Professionals, and Residencies for Critics and Producers as well as Directors, are all open calls that are part of a joint initiative of SARTR from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Heartefact from Serbia, Ulysses Theatre from Croatia, Binario Vivo from Italy, Para Film & Teater from Norway and Real Stage from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the goal to position Southeast European theater on the international stage while promoting innovation, sustainability, and diversity in the industry.
Heartefact’s Andrej Nosov says that STS is an important bridge that connects the region but also encourages all of us to collaborate and network. “Here in the Balkans, we are constantly positioned on the periphery of Europe—this is yet another opportunity to engage in dialogue with the centers, both internally and outward toward the world,” he continues, stating that a platform like STS is important especially for theatre, looking at how budgets shrink and civic space narrows. “STS is like therapy in a long-term healing process,” Nosov says, “We speak different languages, face similar challenges, and deeply believe that our own problem is the greatest. This is an ideal opportunity to hear and see others.”
The New Theatre Market (NTM) aims to create a platform for co-production, talent development, and promotion of sustainable practices in the theater industry across Southeast Europe. The project will take place over two years, primarily based in Sarajevo, with additional activities in other partner countries. It aims to position Southeast European theater on the international stage while promoting innovation, sustainability, and diversity in the industry.
“While reflecting on the potential for a joint project involving both the region and European theatre professionals, we raised a series of questions about the underrepresented Balkan theatre, which remains largely unrecognized and unacknowledged within the broader European context. We believe that STS will primarily serve as a platform for connecting theatre workers and artists. It will enhance visibility and offer our colleagues from Europe and beyond valuable insight into our work, poetics, and production challenges. Advancing theatre art and all of its segments also means strengthening institutions, independent productions, authors, and all other professionals—moving toward more open, high-quality, and contemporary expressions. The opportunity for all of us to speak in one place and exchange experiences is the most valuable resource artists can have. By sharing knowledge with colleagues, respecting diverse perspectives, and keeping up with current developments, we contribute to building a healthier and more stable theatre environment,” says Maja Salkić Burazerović, when speaking about the situation that made the conceiving of this initiative an urgency.
Increased co-productions and international collaborations, enhanced skills and visibility for Southeast European theater professionals, improved sustainability practices in theater production, strengthened networks between artists, institutions and decision makers; new business models and funding opportunities for the theater sector are what the six project partners are aiming to achieve through various programs of the project.
Most of the project’s programs center in and around the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase, which is an annual theater industry event held during the second week of September, providing a vital platform for theater professionals from Southeast Europe. The showcase will foster international collaboration and consequently empower the regional theater sector, thus serving both as a networking hub and a catalyst for innovative, environmentally responsible theater-making.
The Sarajevo Theatre Showcase this year will take place between September 12-14 in Sarajevo and will feature several programs, which are the pillars of The New Theatre Market Project.
The Theatre Market
In this platform, through pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, theater makers will have the chance to connect with potential partners and co-producers with the aim of fostering collaboration and opening new opportunities for Southeast European theater productions. The Theatre Market will be taking place from September 12 to 14. The open call for participation at the theater market can be found here.
Residency
The residency program features an intensive five-day program in Sarajevo designed for thirty emerging theater professionals from Southeast Europe. Combining practical workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities, the residency enables participants to develop their skills, expand their networks, and explore new approaches to theater-making under the guidance of experienced international mentors. The Residency program will be taking place from the September 9 to 14. The open call for participation in the residency program (for critics and producers) can be found here, whereas the open call for participation in the residency program (for directors) can be found here.
Atelier Program
The Atelier Program collaborative writers’ room, where selected playwrights work together on new plays on a year round basis, with the support of dedicated mentors. The call for participation in this program has been closed and the beneficiaries are already working on their plays that are going to be presented in the Sarajevo Theater Showcase taking place in Sarajevo from September 12 to 14.
Showcase
Up to ten recently produced theater productions from the region will be presented in front of a carefully selected audience of industry professionals. This part of the program connects theater makers with international programmers, festivals, and producers.The Showcase will be taking place from September 12 to 14. Theater companies and collectives from across the region can apply with their productions here, and a carefully selected committee will select the ten pieces that will be presented in Sarajevo.
Stage Talks
Key issues in contemporary theater, such as diversity in programming, sustainable production practices, audience development and international collaborations are some of the topics that will be discussed upon on the Stage Talks program that will take place on September 13 and 14.
Green Lab
The Green Lab program is a conference program exploring various issues in contemporary theatre making, bringing togetherindustry experts, practitioners, and decision-makers to share knowledge and shape the future of theater in Southeast Europe.
Industry Pitch
The Industry Pitch is a dynamic platform for emerging theater makers to present their projects to industry professionals in a focused format. This program highlights new voices in theater, with special attention to projects from underrepresented groups and with innovative approaches that address contemporary social and cultural challenges. The Industry Pitch program will be taking place on September 13 and 14 and the open call for participation in the industry pitch program can be found here.
The New Theatre Market (NTM) aims to create a platform for co-production, talent development, and promotion of sustainable practices in the theater industry across Southeast Europe. The project will take place over two years, primarily based in Sarajevo, with additional activities in other partner countries. It aims to position Southeast European theater on the international stage while promoting innovation, sustainability, and diversity in the industry.
“While reflecting on the potential for a joint project involving both the region and European theatre professionals, we raised a series of questions about the underrepresented Balkan theatre, which remains largely unrecognized and unacknowledged within the broader European context. We believe that STS will primarily serve as a platform for connecting theatre workers and artists. It will enhance visibility and offer our colleagues from Europe and beyond valuable insight into our work, poetics, and production challenges. Advancing theatre art and all of its segments also means strengthening institutions, independent productions, authors, and all other professionals—moving toward more open, high-quality, and contemporary expressions. The opportunity for all of us to speak in one place and exchange experiences is the most valuable resource artists can have. By sharing knowledge with colleagues, respecting diverse perspectives, and keeping up with current developments, we contribute to building a healthier and more stable theatre environment,” says Maja Salkić Burazerović, when speaking about the situation that made the conceiving of this initiative an urgency.
Increased co-productions and international collaborations, enhanced skills and visibility for Southeast European theater professionals, improved sustainability practices in theater production, strengthened networks between artists, institutions and decision makers; new business models and funding opportunities for the theater sector are what the six project partners are aiming to achieve through various programs of the project.
Most of the project’s programs center in and around the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase, which is an annual theater industry event held during the second week of September, providing a vital platform for theater professionals from Southeast Europe. The showcase will foster international collaboration and consequently empower the regional theater sector, thus serving both as a networking hub and a catalyst for innovative, environmentally responsible theater-making.
The Sarajevo Theatre Showcase this year will take place between September 12-14 in Sarajevo and will feature several programs, which are the pillars of The New Theatre Market Project.
The Theatre Market
In this platform, through pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, theater makers will have the chance to connect with potential partners and co-producers with the aim of fostering collaboration and opening new opportunities for Southeast European theater productions. The Theatre Market will be taking place from September 12 to 14. The open call for participation at the theater market can be found here.
Residency
The residency program features an intensive five-day program in Sarajevo designed for thirty emerging theater professionals from Southeast Europe. Combining practical workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities, the residency enables participants to develop their skills, expand their networks, and explore new approaches to theater-making under the guidance of experienced international mentors. The Residency program will be taking place from the September 9 to 14. The open call for participation in the residency program (for critics and producers) can be found here, whereas the open call for participation in the residency program (for directors) can be found here.
Atelier Program
The Atelier Program collaborative writers’ room, where selected playwrights work together on new plays on a year round basis, with the support of dedicated mentors. The call for participation in this program has been closed and the beneficiaries are already working on their plays that are going to be presented in the Sarajevo Theater Showcase taking place in Sarajevo from September 12 to 14.
Showcase
Up to ten recently produced theater productions from the region will be presented in front of a carefully selected audience of industry professionals. This part of the program connects theater makers with international programmers, festivals, and producers.The Showcase will be taking place from September 12 to 14. Theater companies and collectives from across the region can apply with their productions here, and a carefully selected committee will select the ten pieces that will be presented in Sarajevo.
Stage Talks
Key issues in contemporary theater, such as diversity in programming, sustainable production practices, audience development and international collaborations are some of the topics that will be discussed upon on the Stage Talks program that will take place on September 13 and 14.
Green Lab
The Green Lab program is a conference program exploring various issues in contemporary theatre making, bringing togetherindustry experts, practitioners, and decision-makers to share knowledge and shape the future of theater in Southeast Europe.
Industry Pitch
The Industry Pitch is a dynamic platform for emerging theater makers to present their projects to industry professionals in a focused format. This program highlights new voices in theater, with special attention to projects from underrepresented groups and with innovative approaches that address contemporary social and cultural challenges. The Industry Pitch program will be taking place on September 13 and 14 and the open call for participation in the industry pitch program can be found here.
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