On behalf of the Theatre Faculty of the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts (JAMU) in Brno, Czech Republic, we would like to inform you about an open call for the 29th edition of the International Festival of Theatre Schools SETKÁNÍ/ENCOUNTER, which will take place in Brno from the 2nd of April to the 6th of April 2019.

The aim of the festival is to provide a place where students, teachers and other theatre makers can meet in order to present their work, working methods and discuss them. The main programme consists of 11 to 13 performances from the chosen schools and the off-programme consists of discussions, workshops, lectures, performances delivered by JAMU and many other activities. Each theatre school focused on education of future theatre professionals at higher education level (or other equivalent national institution) can apply with only one performance. The application form will be send to you during the next month.

The deadline for sending the application in electronic form is the 15th of December 2018. The Selection Committee will choose performances that will be presented in the main programme. Last year the participants were from Czech Republic, Scotland, South Africa, Israel, Slovenia, Armenia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Germany and United Kingdom. The decision concerning the selection of schools will be announced by the end of January 2019.

Although the festival is non-competitive, every year the best and most inspiring and innovative student artistic performances are awarded. The Jury consists of foreign and domestic experts in the performing arts or theatre education and as well comprises foreign and domestic students of theatre academies or other higher education institutions with focus on theatre. The Jury can present up to four MARTA Awards and one The SWAG of SETKÁNÍ/ENCOUNTER Award. Awards can be given only for student achievements. For this reason, we would be glad if you consider the possibility to sign up the performance with the highest participation of student work (acting, directing, stage design etc.). Students of the schools that are chosen to the main programme cannot participate as jurors.

The festival provides accommodation for a maximum number of 13 participants from one school (including students, teachers, technicians and drivers). Any other participants must cover the cost of their stay themselves.

Thank you very much for considering your application for SETKÁNÍ/ENCOUNTER 2019 to help us fulfill our mission: SETKÁNÍ/ENCOUNTER is to provide a place where students, pedagogues and others involved with the theatre can meet to present and discuss their work and methods. For this reason the minimum number of days at our festival is 3 days.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us on our email address participants@encounter.cz. If we ought to present this information to somebody else from your department, please help us contact them.