Radar Sofia Open Call: Take Care (Bulgaria)

Radar Sofia is excited to announce the Take Care Residency Programme 2023-2024 in Sofia, Bulgaria, dedicated to theatre makers, dramaturgs/playwrights, and performers who are passionate about exploring innovative approaches to their field. This residency offers a unique opportunity for them to engage in creative exchange, experiment with new ideas, and develop compelling artistic works. Hosted in the vibrant cultural hub of Sofia, the programme aims to foster collaboration and provide a nurturing environment for artists to thrive.

Programme Overview:

The first leg of the programme takes place in the autumn of 2023.

Duration: 4 weeks (flexible starting dates between September and December 2023)

Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

Artistic Disciplines: Theatre, Dramaturgy, Performance, Interdisciplinary

Number of Participants: up to 2 artists (international) until the end of 2023 and up to 5 artists until the end of 2024

Language: English (working knowledge of English is required)

Stipend: Each selected artist wins a modest stipend to cover accommodation and travel costs plus a 500EUR presentation budget, professional photographing of the event, and video documentation

Objectives:

• Creative Exploration: Encourage artists to explore innovative approaches and experiment with new ideas in theatre and dramaturgy.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among local and international artists, fostering a diverse and inclusive creative environment.
• Artistic Development: Provide artists with resources, support, and mentorship to develop their artistic projects and enhance their professional skills.
• Community Engagement: Engage with the local community through public presentations, workshops, or interactive events to create a dialogue between artists and audiences.
  • Note: The selected artists do not have to present a final version of the project they will be working on. A work-in-progress event, casual presentation, or even an artist talk will be enough to make their first appearance in front of their audiences.

Accommodation:

Selected artists will be provided with comfortable shared housing in the historic centre of Sofia, offering a conducive environment for creativity and reflection.

Studio Space:

Dedicated small rehearsals and workspaces will be available for artists to develop their projects.

Mentorship and feedback may be provided in case it is requested by the artist.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore Sofia's rich heritage and vibrant cultural life through visits to theatres, galleries, and cultural institutions.

Networking opportunities: In case the project envisages collaboration with local artists/makers, Radar Sofia has an extensive network of partners and collaborators to offer help.

The residency will culminate in a public showcase, providing artists with the platform to present their work to a diverse audience.

At the end of 2024, one of the residents under this programme will have their project selected for full production in Sofia and/or internationally, and Radar Sofia will apply for additional funds in order to make this possible in 2025.

Application:

Open to theatre makers and dramaturgs of all levels of experience.

Applicants must have completed their academic studies.

Operating knowledge of spoken and written English is required.

International applicants must have a valid passport and be eligible to travel to Bulgaria during the residency period.

Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, experimentation, and artistic growth.

To apply for the "Take Care Residency Programme," please submit the following materials via email to [email protected]:

• Artist Statement (max. 500 words): Introduce yourself, your artistic background, and your motivation for participating in the residency.
   
• Project Proposal (max. 1,000 words): Outline your proposed project, including its objectives, artistic approach, and potential impact.
   
• Artist Resume/CV: Provide an overview of your artistic experience, including relevant training, productions, and projects.
   
• Work Samples: Submit up to three work samples that showcase your artistic practice. These can include scripts, performance videos, dramaturgical notes, or any other relevant materials.
   
• Contact Information: Include your full name, email address, phone number, and country of residence.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2023

Interviews with shortlisted participants: August 15-20, 2023

Selection Announcement: after August 20, 2023

Residency Period: September - December 2023 (exact dates to be discussed with selected artists)

New dates will be announced for those who wish to come in 2024.

Why Take Care?
 

In the world of today, marked by constant challenges and uncertainties, the need for care has become increasingly important. Take Care is an urgent call to recognize the interconnectedness of their lives and to embrace the responsibility they have towards one another and their context/environment. Its theme resonates deeply within the realm of contemporary performative practices, theatre, and dramaturgy, inviting them to explore the profound significance of what care is or could be in their world now.

The arts can serve as a powerful medium for reflection, empathy, and transformation. Through the lens of contemporary performative practices, theatre, and dramaturgy, they can delve into the complexities of their human existence and unveil narratives that foster care, empathy, and social consciousness. The notion of "Take Care" urges them to question, provoke, and reimagine how they relate to themselves, each other, and the world they live in.

Within this context, their long-term curatorial approach seeks to create a space that nurtures both artists and audiences, offering a sanctuary for exploration, contemplation, and healing. It invites artists, theatre makers, and dramaturgs to delve into the multidimensional concept of care, embracing its diverse manifestations and highlighting the urgency to integrate care into their creative processes, narratives, and interactions.

"Take Care" encourages artists to examine the intricate relationships between care, power dynamics, vulnerability, and resilience. It prompts them to explore how care can be both an act of resistance and a transformative force within the performative world. Artists are invited to interrogate the socio-political structures that impact care, challenging the dominant narratives and envisioning alternative ways of caring for themselves, their communities, their contemporary context, and the planet.

This curatorial journey seeks to foster collaboration, cross-cultural dialogue, and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. It aims to bring together artists from diverse backgrounds, traditions, and disciplines, offering a platform for interdisciplinary exploration and co-creation. Through these collective endeavours, they aspire to amplify marginalized voices, celebrate diversity, and challenge the status quo, envisioning a world where care is at the forefront of their collective consciousness.

"Take Care," as always with Radar Sofia, is an initiative that invites audiences to participate actively in this transformative journey. Through immersive performances, interactive installations, and thought-provoking discussions, spectators usually become integral participants, engaged in critical conversations and self-reflection. By creating spaces that encourage empathy, understanding, and solidarity, they aim to inspire individuals to take care of themselves, their communities, and the world at large.

Together, through contemporary performative practices, theatre, and dramaturgy, they believe they can harness the power of storytelling, aesthetic experiences, and internal healing in order to resist the destructive forces, wherever they may come from.