Open Call
The proposals submitted should be artistic projects that create new formats of theatrical experience in a sustainable and innovative way using digital technologies.
Production Budget: 120.000€
Submission open until: 31 March 2022
Concept realisation: second half of June 2023
The analogue world offers opera and theatre unlimited possibilities. With performing artists, music and design, the most varied realms of experience can be conjured on an empty stage in the here and now. But what new (virtual) spaces can be explored by incorporating the digital dimension? The Komische Oper Berlin (KOB) and the Berliner Ensemble (BE) are interested in developing artistic formats that merge new technologies with the classical elements, capabilities and resources of theatre and opera.
To this end KOB and BE are calling for proposals, of which the winning submission will be realised as part of the Spielräume project. The proposals submitted should be artistic projects that create new formats of theatrical experience in a sustainable and innovative way using digital technologies.
Specifically the KOB and BE are seeking formats that combine the analogue and digital sphere while producing a staged narrative work with actors, singers and/or musicians that also incorporates the live theatre experience. The focus is on formats that can be considered hybrids, amalgamating the analogue tools of theatre and opera with new digital technologies. The preference is for large-format artistic projects that can be realised in a way that involves the ensembles of the BE and the KOB. The resulting production does not have to be suitable for the repertoire, but can also be a temporary installation or a one-off event (that does not necessarily have to conform to the usual time frame of a theatre performance). The production can be realised on the premises of the Berliner Ensemble, but public or other spaces are also conceivable locations. Ideally, the format should be accessible to as wide an audience as possible (installations for individuals or small audiences should be avoided if possible). There are no specifications regarding subject matter: a narrative exploration of contemporary issues and material is as acceptable as research projects, the interpretation of classic works or a critique of the technologies applied.
This call for proposals is part of the collaborative project Spielräume, which is funded by the Digital Culture Programme of the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation) and by the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media).
PROCEDURE
The winning project will be selected through a multi-stage selection procedure:
1. Written application with the following documents:
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brief description of the project (max. 1 page)
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summary of anticipated expenditure (max. 1 page))
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biographies of the artists and/or groups involved (max. 1 page)
The call for proposals is open until 31 March 2022. The brief description should be sent digitally in the form of a single PDF, if necessary with links to videos or other attachments, to the following address: spielraeume@komische-oper-berlin.de
2. Proposal finalisation and pitch:
A jury consisting of in-house and external jurors will select up to 5 projects submitted in round one. The chosen applicants will then be asked for the following in a second round:
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detailed written presentation of the proposal (approx. 5 pages)
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a personal pitch of the proposal at the KOB/BE in front of jurors, artistic directors and the core team of the Spielräume project.
A compensation of € 2,500 (gross) will be paid for detailed submissions that are not selected as the final project but have been invited to hand in a detailed presentation.
Applicants are invited to submit a detailed proposal by email by 29 April 2022. The proposals should be finalised by 27 May 2022 and presented in person at an appointment at the venue in the first week of June. The final decision will be communicated shortly after the appointments in June, in order to ensure that production starts in time for the new season from September 2022.
The winning proposal can make use of the entire 22/23 season for production as the final presentation is scheduled in the second half of June 2023.
BUDGET
A production budget of € 120,000 (gross) is available for the winning proposal. Internal operating costs will be borne by the KOB and the BE as an in-house effort, provided they have been duly prearranged, are the venues themselves (BE indoor, outdoor) including their technical equipment as well as, for example, the involvement of both ensembles (actors, singers, chorus, orchestra), the support of technical personnel, in-house staff and key technology managers, marketing and communications, ticketing. Any expenditure exceeding this must be listed in the budget.
