LABORATORIUM: Residency on Postdramatic Theatre

Led by theatre director and choreographer Filip Petkovski at Cultural Centre “Laboratorium” in Skopje, this 22-day residency will train 5 actors/actresses from the Balkan region in postdramatic theatre. Daily rehearsals will feature physical training and dance exercises, fostering rhythm, synchronization, and developing awareness of one’s body, the self, and the collective body. The training is heavily based on movement and acting improvisation which gives actors an opportunity to collaborate in the artistic and creative process, encouraging them to develop selected scenes into professional productions post-residency. Running from September 15th to October 6th, 2024, the residency culminates in a public showcase, open to the public and to regional theatre directors and choreographers. The showcase would serve as an opportunity at which participants would be able to demonstrate their acquired knowledge by performing in directed scenes on a given topic/title. In addition to the acquired training and knowledge, this residency aims to promote regional collaboration which is often hindered by limited funding.

Participants will have dedicated rehearsal and presentation spaces at Laboratorium, with the flexibility to interchange between two rehearsal spaces. The expansive Laboratorium stage serves for daily rehearsals, while the smaller studio space supports the group for individual training. Selected participants receive 350 EUR for travel expenses (with the possibility for an additional 350 EUR for using green transport and other top-ups), per diems of 25 EUR, and paid accommodation in two fully-equipped apartments in the Skopje city center. Laboratorium will organize an introductory meeting and orientation for all selected participants, offering helpful recommendations to ensure a seamless and enjoyable stay. For more information about the grant, please visit this website.

They seek actors who are at least 18 years of age; who are legal residents in a Creative Europe Country; have a considerable amount of experience with movement and dance; who are graduates from, or are currently enrolled in a performing arts program; who have professional experience in the performing arts; and come from the following countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania. 

Interested participants are asked to fill out this online form and submit a CV in which they outline their education, completed training/workshops, and other achievements and projects; portfolio/website which contains visual material of their projects; and a link to a 2-minute reel/video in which they demonstrate their acting and dancing/movement capabilities. The material should be uploaded as a private video on YouTube/Vimeo. The deadline for applying is 2 August 2024.

Evaluation criteria include the relevance of the applicant's background to the residency's theme, artistic merit demonstrated through their work, and the demonstrated performance capabilities in the audition video. The selection process prioritizes factors such as experience, devotion, commitment and alignment with the residency's objectives. Successful applicants will be notified of their selection via email, and arrangements for their participation in the residency will be communicated.

For any questions, please contact Labaratorium at [email protected]

About the venue: Laboratorium, established in December 2023, is a dynamic educational and cultural center situated within a renovated former stamping house. Boasting a 750-square-meter industrial space, complete with a central circular stage, it serves as a versatile venue for concerts, performances, and artistic endeavors. The mission of Laboratorium is to cultivate a vibrant platform that fosters collaboration, idea exchange, and public engagement among artists, designers, and creatives. Through a diverse array of cultural, artistic, and educational activities, we provide a space for both emerging talents and seasoned individuals to showcase their work, develop their skills, and connect with like-minded peers. Laboratorium is an associate member of the Trans Halles Europe (network of cultural centers).

About the mentor: Filip Petkovski, Ph.D. is a theatre director, choreographer, and dance scholar, with a background in academia and the performing arts, as well as performance experience in Europe and North America. He holds a Bachelor's degree in theatre directing, a Master's degree in dance anthropology, and a Ph.D. in performance studies from UCLA. His research on dance, ideology, and the collective body has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, and he is also the author of a monograph entitled “From Community to Humanity: Dance as Intangible Cultural Heritage.” His choreographic works draw inspiration from everyday movement, cultural heritage, myths and rituals, while his style combines the Viewpoints method with contemporary dance vocabulary, emphasizing improvisation and physical theater. He is the author of nine theatrical productions and has taught several workshops on postdramatic theater and Balkan dance heritage at various institutions in Europe and The United States.