Atelier for Playwrights
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – Second Edition
The Sarajevo Theatre Showcase (STS), organised by Sarajevo War Theatre – SARTR (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Heartefact Foundation (Serbia), Ulysses Theatre (Croatia), Para Film and Theatre (Norway), Binario Vivo (Italy) and Realstage (BiH), as part of the New Theatre Market (NTM) is pleased to announce the Call for Applications for the second edition of the Atelier for Playwrights. Playwrights from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia are invited to develop their original dramatic ideas within the Atelier - a year-long programme providing comprehensive mentorship and dramaturgical support from the first concept to the final completed text. Building on the success of its 2025 edition, the Atelier further develops its regional framework by connecting playwrights and mentors through sustained collaboration and by promoting new writing within the contemporary theatre landscape of Southeast Europe.
About the Atelier
Conceived as a creative and collaborative space, the Atelier aims to support the development of contemporary dramatic writing through a series of lectures, practical exercises, and masterclasses designed to help selected participants develop their works. Throughout the program, participants will work closely with renowned European playwrights who will guide them as mentors.
The programme accompanies participants from the initial idea to the presentation of a completed play, offering continuous creative and professional support.
The goal of the Atelier is to support new authorial voices in the regional theatre landscape, deepen dialogue within the performing arts community across the region, and strengthen the quality and visibility of regional playwriting.
Learn more about the spirit and format of the programme by exploring highlights from the first edition: click here
Eligibility
The call is open to playwrights holding citizenship of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, or Slovenia, who have no more than one full-length play that has been publicly staged.
Applicants at any stage of their career are welcome to apply, as long as they meet the above criteria. Co-authored projects are also eligible; all authors must hold citizenship of one of the eligible countries.
Timeline (2026 edition)
Programme start: January 2026 (the first workshop is planned for late January)
Programme end: September 2026, with the presentation of selected plays during the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase
Participation in the program is free of charge. Selected participants will receive detailed information about workshop dates, mentors, accomodation and travel details and the complete programme structure after the selection process is finalised.
Applicants at any stage of their career are welcome to apply, as long as they meet the above criteria. Co-authored projects are also eligible; all authors must hold citizenship of one of the eligible countries.
Selection & Notification
Evaluation will prioritize originality and artistic voice, dramaturgical clarity, and the potential of the idea for further development and stage presentation.
All applicants will be notified of the results by 10 January 2026.
Selected participants are expected to actively attend all workshops, mentorship sessions, and related activities throughout the program year.
By submitting an application, candidates agree that the organizers may use their submitted biographical and project information for non-commercial documentation and promotional purposes related to the Atelier and the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted in one single PDF document (maximum 5 pages) and must include the following:
Working title of the project – the current or provisional title of your play.
Contact information – full name, country of residence, email address, and phone number.
Short biography – up to 150 words, outlining your background, education, and/or artistic experience relevant to playwriting.
Synopsis and one scene – include a synopsis (up to one page) outlining the idea, plot, or themes of the play you wish to develop within the Atelier, along with one sample scene that reflects the tone, characters, or style of your work.
The submitted material should clearly communicate the core idea and motivation behind your project, as well as the themes or questions you wish to explore through the play.
Applications should be submitted in one single PDF document (maximum 5 pages) and must include the following:
- Working title of the project – the current or provisional title of your play.
- Contact information – full name, country of residence, email address, and phone number.
- Short biography – up to 150 words, outlining your background, education, and/or artistic experience relevant to playwriting.
- Synopsis and one scene – include a synopsis (up to one page) outlining the idea, plot, or themes of the play you wish to develop within the Atelier, along with one sample scene that reflects the tone, characters, or style of your work.
The submitted material should clearly communicate the core idea and motivation behind your project, as well as the themes or questions you wish to explore through the play.
All applications must be submitted in English (or bilingually, in English and your mother tongue) and sent by email to programmes@sts.ba no later than 15 December 2025.
Please use the subject line: ATELIER APPLICATION – Your Name – Working Title.
Applicants will receive an email confirmation upon successful submission of their application.
For any questions or clarifications, please contact adna@sts.ba.
We look forward to receiving your applications and to supporting the creation of new dramatic writing across Southeast Europe.
