The Theatre Institute invites producers – experienced in implementing international projects and productions in the area of theatre and the performing arts, or those wishing to gain experience in this field – to participate in seminars on international collaboration, networking events, and professional psychological supervision.
The Focus on Producers assumes the implementation of some of the postulates formulated in the report “Producers as Central Figures in the Theatre and Performing Arts Ecosystem”, published in May of this year by the Theatre Institute. One of the report’s recommendations is the recognition of production professions as key professions in the theatre events and projects production, and the recommendation to include the persons performing production professions in systemic strategies to prevent burnout. The program offers shared reflection on current issues in international cultural policy, including sustainable production, ecology, and regional cooperation. It also aims to map the needs and areas of interest of producers working internationally or those seeking to develop international projects and showcasing and touring of performances.
The aim of the Focus on Producers is to support the development of partnership-based relationships within the ecosystem of the theatre and performing arts through an offer addressed to this professional group; to foster a shift in work culture and to recognize the importance of production professions within the field of theatre; to counteract professional burnout; and to support international collaboration and good practices.
Schedule:
from 6 October – open call to participate in the programme (see application form in Polish)
from 14 October – announcement of open call results on the Institute’s website
from 15 October to 15 December – individual professional supervisions (participant limit: 10)
30 October – seminar #1 with Jana Grünewald (participant limit: 20)
10 November – seminar #2 with Noémie Delfgou (participant limit: 20 miejsc)
The programme includes:
1. Professional Supervision
As part of individual consultations, 10 producers will have the opportunity to participate in three individual meetings between October 15th and December 15th, 2025, with one of two psychologists chosen by the Institute, working in the field of professional development support: Justyna Józefowicz or Agnieszka Wróblewska.
The scope of the supervision will be determined individually during the first meeting and will cover the areas each individual considers most necessary – reflection on how I work, how I build professional relationships, how I set boundaries; what I can take care of in my daily work, e.g., in the context of relationships with colleagues and myself; how I decide to take on professional challenges; how I define my guiding values. Topics may also include assertiveness or building relationships between producers and artists, funders, and other individuals or entities. The purpose of the individual meetings is to:
– enable professional reflection for producers;
– strengthen professional self-awareness;
– increasing professional resilience through regular practice of observing ongoing activities and projects.
Participation in the supervision sessions is free of charge, but requires a commitment to attend two seminars held on October 30 and November 10, 2025, at the Theatre Institute, 1 Jazdów Street in Warsaw (more information below).
The supervision period is October 15 – December 15, 2025.
Those interested in participating are kindly requested to complete the application form in Polish.
Meetings can be held online or in-person in Warsaw (at locations provided by the psychologists). Chosen individuals will schedule their supervision sessions individually with the psychologists. An agreement will be signed before the supervision session [download template in Polish]. Supervision sessions are available only in Polish. More information about the psychologists’ availability can be found in the application form.
Participant limit: 10.
dr Justyna Józefowicz is a psychologist, trainer, mediator, project-based method work expert, and academic lecturer (SWPS, University of Lower Silesia). She is a graduate of the TROP Business Trainers School and the PwC Business Coaching Diploma. She is a strategic advisor and consultant to companies, institutions, and social organizations. She is the head of the Health Promotion, Prevention, and Education Department at Ośrodek Rozwoju Edukacji [Education Development Centre] and a mentor for Early Warning Europe at PARP. She was previously a member of the SYNAPSIS Foundation Management Board, manager of the Creative Communication Cluster, and head of development at EFC Foundation. She is the author of development strategies and co-author of textbooks, including “The Project Method: A Textbook.” She supports leaders in their work on individual and institutional development, strategy, implementing change, and coping with crisis situations. More information: justynajozefowicz.pl
Agnieszka Wróblewska is a psychologist, certified psychotherapist, supervisor, and facilitator for the International Association of Process Work Practitioners. She is a co-founder of the Academy of Deep Dialogue Psychology. She consults for companies, cultural institutions, and non-governmental organizations, including in the area of conflict resolution. In the years 2015–2016, she led workshops and trainings for activists in Ukraine. In 2017, she implemented a project supporting local leaders in Georgia. Since 2020, she has been collaborating with the RegenerAkcja Foundation, place for exhausted activists as part of support for individuals engaged in various areas of activism, focusing on burnout and professional abuse. She is interested in the psychology of creative activities and adapts psychological and anthropological techniques for character development by actors. Przemysław Wasilkowski’s monodrama “SAM”, for which she led the workshop, won first prize at the ShakespeareOFF Festival. As part of her research projects, she produced three performances with the Bretoncaffe dance theatre. She co-created the project “Parliament of Ordinary People” with Michał Zadara and Eliza Durka. She consulted with actors appearing in the documentary directed by Alex Baczyński-Jenkis. More information: https://akademiapop.org/zespol/agnieszka-wroblewska/.
2. Seminars and informal professional networking meetings professional networking meetings
The seminar format includes an introductory lecture delivered by an invited international expert. The second part of the meeting will be devoted to a joint discussion among the participants about international work and its related needs and areas of development. The knowledge we gain during the seminars will also contribute to better planning of activities for producers in the future.
You can participate in the seminar without registering for professional supervision.
Seminar #1 – 30 October 2025, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Exploring the Values and Challenges of Producers’ Networks
Drawing on her long-standing work with Dachverband Tanz Deutschland, Jana Grünewald will share experiences in creating and supporting spaces for producers to connect, exchange knowledge, and strengthen each other’s practices. Speaking not as a producer herself, but from her perspective as a supervisor of the informal producers’ network InfoPlus, as a co-founder of the European network PAMPA, and a supporter of produktionsbande, she will reflect on the specific value that networks bring to the field.
Together with the participants, she will explore the benefits and challenges of building, sustaining, and engaging in such structures and how they can support both daily work and professional development. In the joint discussion, we will have the opportunity to discuss specific issues and ideas on (international) networks and peer-to-peer-learning in more detail, guided by the interests and needs of the participants.
Jana Grünewald has been working at the Dachverband Tanz Deutschland (German Dance Association) since 2013, where she co-manages the Kreativ-Transfer funding programme and oversees the informal producer network InfoPlus and the Europe-wide network PAMPA (Producers, Agents, Managers in the Performing Arts). From 2015 to May 2023, she was part of the editorial team at touring artists, the information and advice service for artists and cultural professionals working internationally. She worked for the Sisyphos nightclub in artist management and accounting from 2013 to 2016. Jana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Codarts and a BA in Social Sciences from Humboldt University of Berlin. She is also the mother of a 1.5-year-old child.
After the seminar, we kindly invite you to participate in an informal professional networking meeting, a casual gathering in the Institute’s café and garden. You can sit, walk, chat, or engage in individual reflection. This respite mini-residency will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – let’s give ourselves time to creatively and consciously do what supports us. The Institute will provide refreshments for these activities.
Participation in the seminar is free – the meeting will be held on-site at the Theatre Institute, 1 Jazdów Street in Warsaw.
The seminar will be held in English – participation requires a conversational level of English.
Those interested in participating are kindly requested to complete the form in Polish.
Participant limit: 20.
Seminar #2 – 10 November2025, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Why, where & how to present artistic work?
An exchange meeting on (inter)national distribution
The guest of the second seminar will be Noémie Delfgou from Reso – Dance Network Switzerland. She will give a lecture on international distribution, with a particular focus on Western Europe. She will also share her experience of grassroots networking among Swiss performing arts producers. In the second part of the meeting, we will open this topic up for discussion and critical reflection. We will also identify the needs of professionals working internationally in the field of distribution and touring of performances.
Ahead of the seminar, the publication “Distribution Handbook for Emerging Performing Arts Professionals. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Distribution (But Were Afraid to Ask)” will be released by Reso. It will serve as an introduction to the conversation. The Institute is a content partner of the publication and is currently preparing its Polish-language version. More information will be available soon in the News section on the Institute’s website.
Noémie Delfgou – Programme Director, she is a graduate of the theatre studies and the German language and literature in Bern and Tel Aviv. From 2013 to 2015, she worked at the Goethe-Institut Munich in the theatre and dance department. From 2015 to 2019, she served as a member of the City of Munich’s dance jury, and from 2017 to 2023, a member of the City of Zurich’s dance commission. She has been programme director at Reso since 2015 and leads the Swiss Dance Days, Forum Tanz, Event Fund and Performing Arts Managers programmes. In addition to her work at Reso, she is involved as a facilitator and supervisor and is active in the art&care network.
After the seminar, we kindly invite you to participate in an informal professional networking meetinga casual gathering in the Institute’s café and garden. You can sit, walk, chat, or engage in individual reflection. This respite mini-residency will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – let’s give ourselves time to creatively and consciously do what supports us. The Institute will provide refreshments for these activities.
Participation in the seminar is free – the meeting will be held on-site at the Theatre Institute, 1 Jazdów Street in Warsaw.
The seminar will be held in English – participation requires a conversational level of English.
Those interested in participating are kindly requested to complete the form in Polish.
Reimbursement of travel costs is provided (only for those not participating in professional supervision).
Participant limit: 20.
3. How to apply?
Complete the application form in Polish by October 6th.
Criteria for selecting individuals to participate in professional supervision.
The following will be assessed:
– experience in international collaboration (participation in the production process of at least 3 international projects or performances is required) – based on the attached CV and cover letter – 0-36 points;
– motivation to participate in supervision – based on the justification for the motivation provided in the application form – 0-12 points.
Criteria for selecting individuals to participate in the seminars.
The following will be assessed:
– experience in international collaboration and/or implementation of national projects in the performing arts (participation in the production process of at least 3 projects or performances). Demonstrated experience will enable the contribution of know-how to discussions with international guests – based on the attached CV and cover letter – 0-36 points;
The Institute offers the opportunity to qualify individuals without international production experience but who wish to develop in this area.
– motivation to participate in the project – based on the motivation provided in the application form – 0-12 points.
To ensure access to the programme for individuals working in diverse organizational structures and professional environments, the Institute will provide a minimum number of places for individuals from independent theatres (7 places) and institutional theatres (5 places). Depending on the dynamics of applications, these places may not be filled or may exceed the minimum number.
The selection committee: Karolina Dziełak-Żakowska, Anna Galas-Kosil, Krystyna Mogilnicka (Theatre Institute), Małgorzata Rapacz (Adam Mickiewicz Institute).
Q&A
1) I don’t call myself a theatre producer, but I think I practice this profession – can you explain what you mean by “producing professions” and who this recruitment is for?
This recruitment is open to individuals who perform produce and coordination tasks in the field of the theatre and performing arts, where international collaboration is a significant component. They can work independently, in a non-governmental organization, in an institution, a theatre, a community centre, at a university, or elsewhere, or run their own business. To learn more about how we define producing professions, please refer to the introduction to the publication available free of charge on the website.
2) I have limited experience in international collaboration, but I am interested in developing in this area – can I apply?
Yes. Several places in the seminars are reserved for those interested in developing in this area. Regarding professional supervision, it is intended for individuals who work or have already worked internationally. These individuals can, of course, combine these activities with professional activity in Poland.
3) I’d like to participate, but I have special needs – what support can I expect?
Please contact us individually or fill out the appropriate information in the form.
4) Can I only participate in the professional supervision sessions?
No. We want those who sign up for professional supervision sessions to also participate in both seminars.
5) Can I attend just one seminar?
Yes, you can attend one or two seminars and not participate in professional supervision. Please apply.
6) I want to take part in the entire program, but for important reasons I cannot attend one of the seminars, or I could only participate in one of the seminars remotely. Can I still apply?
Due to a high number of similar questions, we suggest that in such cases you submit your application for the full program (supervisions and seminars) and indicate in the “special requirements” section at the end of the application form that your participation in one of the seminars (please specify which one) is only possible remotely or not possible at all due to specific reasons.
The selection committee will review each such case individually.
7) Can I expect travel reimbursement?
Yes, although the budget for travel reimbursement is limited. Each request (completed in the form) will be considered individually. Travel reimbursement does not apply to those participating in professional supervision. Supervision is available free of charge, and the contribution to travel is an investment by those registering for these development activities.
8) I cannot attend, but I am very interested in receiving information about the Institute’s activities for producers – how can I stay in touch?
We would also like to stay in touch with you – please complete [this form in Polish].
9) When will I find out if I have been selected?
Recruitment results will be announced individually via email and on the Institute’s website by 14 October.
10) I have other questions – who can I ask?
Please contact Karolina Dziełak-Żakowska (kzakowska@instytut-teatralny.pl).
