The Theatre Institute is announcing an open call for the pilot edition of the SPOTLIGHT development residency programme, aimed at artists and creators from cultural backgrounds other than Polish. The deadline for applications is 14 May.
The current social, political, cultural, and artistic landscape is defined by operating in a world of polycrises and experiencing rapid change. Ece Temelkuran, a Turkish-born thinker, invites reflection on the ‘nation of strangers’ – the situation of people uprooted by contemporary political and climate crises. In the realm of theatre and performing arts, we encounter not only new audiences but also new artists and creators. Hence, the need for representation, mutual understanding of cultural and organisational contexts, solidarity, intercultural dialogue, and the facilitation of reciprocal knowledge exchange.
The Theatre Institute is launching the pilot edition of its development residency programme to create professional development opportunities in Poland for artists and creators from non-Polish cultural backgrounds. Their areas of interest and working methods have the potential to inspire and enrich diverse Polish audiences.
The professional and developmental residency programme rests on two pillars: a mentoring programme delivered in collaboration with experienced artists, curators, dramaturgs and culture practitioners working in theatre and the performing arts in Poland; and a facilitated creative exchange programme between participants.
Participants will gain a valuable professional network, an in-depth understanding of the Polish theatre system and how to navigate it, and familiarity with theatre pedagogy and educational traditions. They will also acquire tools facilitating giving and receiving feedback and communicating their practice. Participants will develop ideas and plans for their work and/or projects in Poland; however, the residency is not production-oriented. The programme will conclude with an open practice-sharing session.
The residency aims to build relationships, forge partnerships and support the ambitions of individuals currently building their careers in institutional and independent theatre scenes in Poland. We believe that the programme will introduce new perspectives, themes, aesthetics, stories, and identities to our stages, reflecting the living, diverse and ever-changing tapestry of society.
How to apply?
Please fill in the Google form.
Deadline for applications: 14 May 2026, 23:59.
NOTE: Applications sent after the deadline will not be considered!
We reserve the right to close the open call after receiving 100 applications.
Who can apply? (participant’s profile)
We will invite 8 participants to the pilot residency programme:
- Practitioners representing diverse creative disciplines within theatre and the performing arts (actors, directors, producers, dramaturgs, set designers, and other roles not listed above):
- residing in Poland and at least 18 years of age;
- with at least 3 years of documented creative/professional experience, or a completed master’s degree in the arts;
- planning to continue their professional development and integration in Poland;
- of a cultural identity other than Polish;
- who may have more than one cultural identity;
- who may have experience of migration or are living within a diaspora;
- wishing to reach Polish audiences or multicultural audiences in Poland.
The programme is not addressed to existing students and academics.
Core requirements
A command of Polish and/or English permitting communication (B1 or higher).
Availability in the times marked in the schedule.
Possibility of entering into a civil-law contract (umowa zlecenie).
What is provided?
A remuneration of the total value of PLN 20,000 gross (twenty thousand złoty) payable under a civil-law contract in equal monthly instalments for the duration of the contract.
As part of the programme, we offer accommodation and transport for participants from outside Warsaw, meals during shared sessions, as well as lodging and travel funds for the study visit in September.
Programme schedule
June: 23.06 – launch of the programme at the Theatre Institute for all participants
July and August: mentoring sessions (online)
September: 10–11.09 – 1st Collective Session at the Theatre Institute and the Study Visit organised by the assigned mentor and resident on an agreed date and to an agreed place
October: 8–9.10 – 2nd Collective Session at the Theatre Institute and 22–23.10 – 3rd Collective Session at the Theatre Institute
November: 13.11 – Practice-sharing and a collective recapitulation at the Theatre Institute
Selection process of programme participants
Applications will be reviewed by the following selection committee: Anna Galas-Kosil (Deputy Director of the Theatre Institute for Programming), Krystyna Mogilnicka (Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Theatre Institute), Szymon Adamczak (Curator and Programme Coordinator, artist of the theatre), Lena Tworkowska (Curator, Producer), Sviatlana Haidalionak (Culture Manager, Coordinator of the ICORN programme)
Online interviews with the committee: 27–29.05.2026 (for shortlisted candidates)
Announcement of results: by 3.06.2026; the results will be published on the Theatre Institute website
Additional information / (FAQ)
How will we communicate during the programme?
The programme will be conducted alternately in Polish and English. Interpreter support will be provided as needed, depending on the composition of the group and guests.
What will the collaboration with mentors look like?
Each participant will be paired with two mentors for the duration of the programme. They will have a total of four online sessions with their main mentor and will take part in a study visit suggested by that mentor. The supporting mentor will provide two consultations. In this pilot edition, the process of matching mentors and participants will be managed by the Theatre Institute team.
What will the group sessions look like?
During these intensive meetings, we envisage practice-sharing, as well as embodied work, workshops, discussions and thematic sessions with guests and experts. The group will also have the opportunity to attend selected artistic events in Warsaw.
Can I apply as a duo?
Individual applications are prioritised in this programme. However, applications of duos are also accepted. If a duo is offered a residency by the selection committee, each person will receive a full stipend, and a duo counts as two individual participants selected for the programme.
Are there any restrictions regarding the country of origin?
Yes, the programme is not open to citizens of the Russian Federation.
What are the participant selection criteria?
Selection will be guided by the diversity of artistic practices and the suitability of participants for the proposed format of the Spotlight programme. Applicants should have relevant experience, be based in Poland and work in the interdisciplinary performing arts. We will consider the professional experience and development plans of applicants within the context of the theatre and performing arts sector in Poland.
Publication of bios of participants
In connection with participation in the programme, the Institute may publish information about participants, including their name and bio, for informational and promotional purposes – in particular on its website, in social media channels, and in materials related to the programme. Publication of such data is based on the participant’s voluntary consent. Providing a bio is optional. Participants have the right to withdraw their consent at any time by contacting the Institute.
About the programme curator and team
The curator and coordinator of the project is Szymon Adamczak, a theatre artist and dramaturg working at the intersection of social and performative practices. A graduate of DAS Theatre and THIRD in Amsterdam, co-author of the Queer Feedback Handbook: Experiments in Otherwise Education, he works within Polish and European performing arts milieus.
dr Krystyna Mogilnicka – Doctor of Humanities, cultural anthropologist, translator, editor, theatre producer, and cultural project manager. Graduate of the Institute of Polish Culture at the University of Warsaw and Theatre Studies at Charles University in Prague. Between 2005 and 2015, she was based in Prague, where she organised international theatre and dance festivals as well as artist residencies. She also collaborated on performances and their international distribution. Since 2016, she has been working at the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute, where she heads the International Cooperation Department.
Anna Galas-Kosil – Curator and cultural manager, currently working as Deputy Director for Programming at the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute. A graduate of the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art and the European Diploma in Cultural Project Management. She has previously worked as a curator at Biennale Warszawa and as a producer for the Chorus of Women Foundation. Between 2022 and 2025, she was associated with the Warsaw Observatory of Culture, initially as a research and artistic project manager and subsequently as Deputy Director.
CONTACT INFORMATION
In case of any questions, please get in touch with us at: rezydencje@instytut-teatralny.pl.
