Helsinki City Theatre’s Stage for Contemporary Performance programme features works by artists and working groups from the independent arts scene in the Helsinki metropolitan area. These works respond to a changing world through both their content and form. The stage gives artists the space and time to develop their artistic thinking.
The Stage for Contemporary Performance does not subscribe to any single performing arts tradition. Instead, it encourages diversity and dialogue between different art forms. Contemporary performances consciously engage with the history of the art form or forms they represent, exploring them from new perspectives.
How we curate our programme
We select artists and working groups seeking to create ambitious, forward-looking works for larger stages and audiences.
The Stage for Contemporary Performance follows a curatorial approach based on encounters between artists, the curator and other Helsinki City Theatre professionals, with the aim of supporting each artist’s professional development. Curation serves as a porous interface from which artists can move in many different directions, even before beginning the production process for a public performance.
We want to give more artists the opportunity to deepen their expertise. In addition to performances and open calls, we therefore organise monthly curatorial meetings, idea-development sessions, seminars and other training events.
I have an idea for a performance – what should I do?
First, please check that your idea fits both the artistic and technical frameworks of our activities.
- The Stage for Contemporary Performance produces works for the large-scale, 328-seat Studio Pasila stage.
- Our productions have a minimum of 10 performances.
- We do not programme guest performances.
- You can find the technical specifications for Studio Pasila here.
Curatorial meetings
Are you an emerging artist, or is your idea still at an early stage? Helsinki City Theatre organises monthly curatorial meetings for contemporary dance and contemporary performance makers. Artists can book one-to-one meetings with Valtteri Raekallio, Artistic Director of Helsinki Dance Company, or Riikka Thitz, Curator of the Stage for Contemporary Performance.
These curatorial meetings may offer brief feedback on a project idea or potentially longer-term one-to-one support for developing a performance concept.
More information about curatorial meetings and how to book one is available here.
Open call for the summer residency
Artists for the Stage for Contemporary Performance’s summer residencies are selected through an open call and meetings with the applicants. The selected working group is given access to the Helsinki City Theatre’s Studio Pasila stage in June–July, followed by a performance run in August. The performance is produced by the working group. The summer residency gives independent artists space and time for artistic exploration by allowing them to make use of the theatre’s existing facilities.
The summer residency open call is organised annually and consists of individual online meetings. It takes place in September–October, two years before the residency period.
Frequently asked questions about the summer residency and open call are available here.
Performance productions
Do you have a well-developed project idea and previous experience of pre-production and working on larger stages or in professional theatres?
Helsinki City Theatre also produces contemporary performances as part of its regular repertoire. The programme is curated through invitations and performance proposals. Ideas for contemporary performance works may also be submitted outside open calls and scheduled meeting times by emailing the Curator of the Stage for Contemporary Performance or one of Helsinki City Theatre’s dramaturgs.
