Program Recap 2025 - Sarajevo Theatre Showcase
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Program recap

The first Sarajevo Theatre Showcase / New Theatre Market (STS/NTM) took place in Sarajevo from September 12–14, 2025, bringing together more than 120 international theatre professionals — directors, producers, playwrights, curators, and critics — from over 15 countries.

Sarajevo Theatre Showcase highlighted innovative theatrical voices, offering insight into the region’s rich artistic narratives and evolving creative expression. STS connected emerging and established theatre-makers with curators, institutions, and international guests, creating a dynamic platform for professional growth and cultural exchange.


The project was led by Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, in partnership with Reelstage (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Heartefact (Serbia), Ulysses Theatre (Croatia), Binario Vivo (Italy), and Para Film & Teater (Norway).

The Showcase Program featured six acclaimed productions from the region, curated by Beka Vučo and Ulricha Johnson, highlighting new theatrical voices and aesthetics. The Theatre Market hosted curated one-on-one meetings between regional playwrights and international producers, opening concrete opportunities for staging/producing new regional plays. Through Industry Pitch, six new projects were publicly presented after an intensive mentorship process with leading regional experts. The Residency Program gathered 20 emerging directors, producers, and critics for a week of professional training and peer-learning sessions, while the Atelier for Playwrights supported 19 young authors in developing new texts under the mentorship of renowned European writers. The two-day Stage Talks conference explored sustainable production, mobility, and authorship in contemporary theatre, with speakers including Ása Richardsdóttir (IETM), Ivana Vuković (SPID), and Alexander Scholz (Perform Europe).

With a strong focus on emerging artists, women, and sustainable practices, STS/NTM successfully launched a new platform for professional exchange in Southeast Europe.

The initiative was co-funded by the European Union through Creative Europe.

Through all its programmes, the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase / New Theatre Market emphasized professional development, international collaboration, and the promotion of sustainable practices in theatre, with a particular focus on women, young authors, and underrepresented creators. Its goal was to position Sarajevo and the wider region as an important hub for exchange and cooperation in contemporary performing arts.

Impressum

Management Board

Maja Salkić

Andrej Nosov

Ishak Jalimam

 

 

Steering committee

Maja Salkic

Ishak Jalimam

Martin T. B. Thomas

Andrej Nosov

Carlo Scorrano

Duško Ljuština

 

Artistic board

Ulricha Johnson

Beka Vučo

 

Head of Programmes

Adna Rizvan

 

Head of Operations

Merjema Đipa

 

Hospitality Associate

Ana Elena Banduka

 

Art Directions & Graphic Design

Naida Čelik

 

Residency & Atelier Programme Coordinator

Azra Dževahirić

 

Showcase Programme Coordinator

Tarik Tanović

 

Showcase Programme Technical Director

Ismir Fazlić

 

Industry Pitch Programme Coordinator

Irfan Bajramović

 

Theatre Market Programme Coordinator

Džejla Malanović

 

Stage Talks Programme Coordinator

Isidora Ratković

 

Architectural Designer

Faris Kukić

 

Location Manager

Haris Kamenčić

 

Location Assistant

Omar Solaković

 

Social Media Manager

Muhamed Gazibegović

 

Social Media Associate

Luka Ramljak

 

Photographer

Asja Mustajbašić

Amina Ahmetagić

 

Videographer

Amer Beganović

 

 

Info & Registration Desk Officer

Selma Haznedarević

 

STS Host

Alin Abadan

Zara Abadan

 

Volunteers:

Ajla Kadić

Merisa Krišćo

Lamija Lika

Dalal Šatara

Ekatarina Veselinović

Iris Ćeremida

Lana Zeničanin

Ajra Branković

Džana Ustavdić

Zara Čorić

Džan Greljo

Saira Hebibović

Hana Mirvić

Saira Hebibović

Uma Mujezinović

Zana Jukić

Afan Ćudić