2017 MENA Playwrights Residency in Berlin (Spring 2017).

The Sundance Institute Theatre Program is excited to launch an 11-day residency program for MENA playwrights, particularly Syrian, who have been based in Europe for five years or less (2011-2016). Priority will be given to artists living in Germany, but artists living in other European countries may be considered as well. Following the success of our 2016 Theatre Lab and the strong recommendations of MENA Lab participants and advisors, we have created this opportunity to shepherd new text-based projects…

• The deadline for application is November 1, 2016 at 9:00pm GMT.
• Applicants will be notified on or before January 15, 2017.

The Sundance Institute Theatre Program is excited to launch an 11-day residency program for MENA playwrights, particularly Syrian, who have been based in Europe for five years or less (2011-2016). Priority will be given to artists living in Germany, but artists living in other European countries may be considered as well. Following the success of our 2016 Theatre Lab and the strong recommendations of MENA Lab participants and advisors, we have created this opportunity to shepherd new text-based projects in Arabic (classical or dialects) at their very early stages. We have identified Berlin as the most appropriate location to launch this initiative. Berlin – as well as the rest of Germany – is now home to one of the largest concentrations of MENA region artists who have escaped recent turmoil in their countries of origin. By deciding to locate the first Sundance Institute MENA Playwrights Residency in Berlin, we hope to support an environment where artists and intellectuals facing personal upheaval can contribute to rebuilding communities through creativity. This 11-day program, supervised by experienced dramaturgs and advisors, will take place in Berlin & the Berlin Countryside in the Spring 2017 (exact dates TBA).

This initiative intensifies our core mission to support theatre artists from the MENA region, as it provides early development time to Arabic-speaking generative artists living outside their countries of origin. This program aims to develop new theatre works in Arabic (classical and dialects) already in the process of creation, to contribute to the maintenance of the ties between MENA theatre-makers who live inside and outside the region, as well as to provide new opportunities of international visibility for MENA artists recently based in Europe. The first two days of the Residency will be held in Berlin followed by seven days of retreat with Sundance Institute dramaturgs in the German countryside and concluding with two final days in Berlin. This schedule is subject to change.

In 2015, we launched “The Space In Between”, an initiative aimed at developing new works from the Middle East and North Africa, and building creative bridges between US, MENA, and other international theatre communities. In May 2016, our core Theatre Lab – usually held in Utah – moved to Marrakech for an exceptional three-week residency with artists from the US, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, Palestine, Belgium, France, UK, Spain, Korea, Uganda and Mexico.

Acknowledging the recent transformations across the region and their impact on its artistic landscape and in consultation with MENA artists, staff and advisors, we have designed a five-year initiative for MENA theatre professionals which includes artists currently living in foreign countries who are committed to developing stories in Arabic (classical and dialects). Dealing with their new contexts of displacement and forced exile as well as new professional environments, many Syrian and other MENA artists are struggling with less familiar personal and work realities, and often find themselves obligated to shift their aesthetic strategies in order to respond to the current changes in their lives and careers. The Sundance Institute Theatre Program wishes to create a safe environment (a brief respite from external challenges) for these artists, by providing them with the necessary time, space, and mentorship to develop their stories in their mother tongue and beyond the complexities of these realities. We believe that these artists are essential witnesses to recent history and challenges, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary dramaturgical support to further explore and develop their stories.

ELIGIBILITY

MENA artists, particularly Syrian, who have been based in Europe for five years or less (2011-2016) can apply to the MENA Playwrights Residency in Berlin. Priority will be given to artists living in Germany, but artists living in other European countries may be considered as well.

APPLICATION

All applications must be sent by email. Submitted work cannot have been previously produced, but may have received prior workshops or readings. Commissioned work is eligible for submission; however, playwrights must obtain written permission from their commissioning organization prior to applying. Only work in Arabic (classical or dialect) is accepted. Project summary and artistic statement can be in Arabic or English.

Sundance Institute is interested in both established and emerging theatre artists working with text, as well as artists making a transition from areas outside of theatre.

NOTE: Artists may only submit one application. Previous applicants may reapply, but not with previously submitted material.

YOU WILL NEED

• Your Script in Arabic (classical or dialect)
• Project Summary in Arabic or English
• Artistic Statement in Arabic or English
• Letter of Permission from Commissioning Entity (if applicable)

Questions: [email protected]

For further information, you can send your questions by email or visit the Facebook page of the MENA initiative.