Open call for Studio Pasila’s summer residency – Frequently asked questions
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How should I prepare for the application meeting?
During the application meeting, we hope you will be able to present and contextualize your performance idea clearly. What kind of performance do you want to create, and why now? Which artists or works have served as references and sources of inspiration for this work or for your broader artistic practice?
In addition to your performance idea, we would like you to have a preliminary production plan for the practical realization of the work and the technical resources it requires. The plan does not need to be fully finalized. However, since the residency will result in a work presented to an audience, we want to ensure at the application stage that the proposal is realistic and feasible within Studio Pasila’s resources.
If you wish, you may prepare a concise mood board illustrating the visual style of the work or a short sample of possible choreographic or sound material. A polished PowerPoint presentation or detailed written description is not required. The meeting is intended to be conversational, and the curator will guide the discussion.
As a rule of thumb, prepare to spend about ten minutes presenting your performance idea. The discussion will then be explored in greater depth through questions about the realization of the work, the working group and the project’s background.
I do not yet have a complete working group. Can I still apply?
You may apply even if your full working group is not yet complete. Please note, however, that the composition of the working group and any related wishes will be discussed during the application meeting.
I do not have any existing funding. Can I still apply?
Existing funding is not required at the application stage. If needed, the curator will support the group in applying for funding and planning grant applications.
Can I apply with the same proposal I submitted in a previous application round?
You may reapply with the same proposal. However, please review any feedback you previously received as well as this year’s call for applications, and ensure that your proposal still meets the eligibility criteria.
Why is the call aimed at artists working in the Helsinki metropolitan area?
As a Helsinki-based theatre, we seek to respond to the needs of artists working in our region. We also want to ensure that the selected group does not incur unreasonable additional accommodation and travel expenses.
Why does the residency not include production support?
The purpose of the summer residency is to provide independent artists with space and time for artistic thinking by utilizing existing venue resources. Because the residency takes place primarily during the permanent theatre staff’s summer holiday period in June and July, it falls outside the theatre’s traditional production model and working hours. The working groups therefore organize their schedules and productions independently.
How does the application process proceed?
After the application meetings, the curator will draw up a shortlist to be presented to the theatre’s artistic management. A second application meeting will then be held with the shortlisted working groups. The theatre’s Artistic Director will make the final selection of the residency group by the end of the year.
Can I receive personalized feedback on my application?
Applicants will receive information by email about the application process and the criteria that influenced the final selections. The curator will also aim to include brief application-specific feedback in these messages.
Will permanent theatre staff be present during the residency?
The residency begins with an orientation period at the end of May, to be scheduled separately. During this period, the working group may work alongside the permanent staff in Pasila. The permanent staff will be on summer holiday during June and July. However, the residency group may contact the on-call stage manager when necessary. Staff return to Pasila at the beginning of August.
How many permanent staff members work in Pasila?
The Pasila staff consists of a stage manager, lighting supervisor, sound supervisor, assistant stage manager, two stage technicians, a dresser and a front-of-house/props coordinator. However, not all staff members may be present during the August performance season.
What technical resources are included in the residency?
The residency includes Studio Pasila’s standard technical resources. The theatre has easily accessible catwalks throughout the space, making tasks such as focusing the lights straightforward. Please note that the PA system configuration cannot be altered and Studio Pasila does not have high-quality video projectors available as standard equipment. As a rule, equipment cannot be borrowed from other HKT stages for the residency. The working group is responsible for any external equipment rental costs.
The selected residency group may visit Studio Pasila before the residency period begins. The permanent staff will introduce the residency group’s designers to the theatre’s technical systems.
Technical specifications for Studio Pasila can be found here.
What material and production resources are included in the residency?
The residency does not include access to workshop resources at HKT’s main building or working time from staff in other departments (set construction, costume department, makeup, etc.). When planning your work, please note that the venue’s permanent staff will not be present during June and July. The residency includes working time with the residency curator. HKT is responsible for ticket sales and front-of-house services during the performance run.
Does Studio Pasila have dance flooring?
No. Any dance flooring required must be sourced separately by the working group.
Is the working group responsible for operating sound and lighting during performances?
The working group is generally responsible for operating sound and lighting during performances. Sound and lighting cues are operated within the QLab environment, using an MA2 lighting console.
What communications and marketing activities are included in the residency?
The residency production will be marketed as part of the theatre’s seasonal programme on the website and in the seasonal brochure. The marketing schedule will be reviewed during the autumn preceding the residency summer. Promotional photographs and text for the production will be required during the February preceding the residency.
Is the residency group employed by Helsinki City Theatre?
The working group and its members are not employees of Helsinki City Theatre. For example, HKT does not provide accident insurance for members of the working group.
What responsibilities belong to the working group?
The working group is responsible for organizing and financing the production, including insurance for the work, funding and associated obligations, as well as any copyright and employer-related costs. The working group is also responsible for rental or purchase costs for any technical equipment or materials not available at Studio Pasila. More detailed responsibilities will be specified in the residency agreement.
Does the residency include post-production support?
After the premiere, the rights to the performance remain with the working group, which is independently responsible for any future life of the work, including touring and post-production. The equipment of Studio Pasila and HKT will not be available for any tours after the end of HKT’s performance run.
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Open Call for Studio Pasila Summer Residency – Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for the application meeting?
During the meeting, we hope you will be able to present and contextualize your performance idea clearly. What kind of performance do you want to create, and why now? Which artists or works have served as references and sources of inspiration for this performance or for your broader artistic practice?
In addition to the artistic concept, we would like you to have a preliminary production plan for the practical realization of the work and the technical resources it requires. The plan does not need to be fully finalized. However, since the residency culminates in a public presentation, we want to ensure already during the application phase that the proposal is realistic and feasible within Studio Pasila’s resources.
If you wish, you may prepare a concise mood board illustrating the visuality of the work or a short sample of possible choreographic or sound material. A polished PowerPoint presentation or detailed written description is not required. The meeting is intended to be conversational, and the curator will guide the discussion.
As a rule of thumb, prepare to spend about ten minutes presenting your performance idea. The discussion will then be deepened through questions related to the realization of the work, the working group, and the artistic background of the project.
I do not yet have a complete working group. Can I still apply?
Yes. You may apply even if your full working group is not complete. Please note, however, that the composition of the working group and any related wishes will be discussed during the application meeting.
I do not have any existing funding. Can I still apply?
Yes. Existing funding is not required at the application stage. If needed, the curator will support the group in identifying funding opportunities and planning grant applications.
Can I apply with the same proposal I used in a previous application round?
Yes. You may reapply with the same proposal. However, please review any feedback you previously received as well as this year’s call for applications and ensure that your proposal still meets the eligibility criteria.
Why is the call aimed at artists working in the Helsinki metropolitan area?
As a Helsinki-based theatre, we seek to respond to the needs of artists working within our region. We also want to ensure that the selected group does not incur unreasonable accommodation and travel expenses.
Why does the residency not include production funding?
The purpose of the summer residency is to provide independent artists with space and time for artistic thinking by utilizing existing venue resources. Because the residency takes place primarily during the permanent theatre staff’s summer holiday period in June and July, it falls outside the theatre’s traditional production model and working schedule. Therefore, working groups organize their schedules and productions independently.
How does the application process proceed?
After the application meetings, the curator will create a shortlist to be presented to the theatre’s artistic leadership. A second application meeting will then be held with the shortlisted working groups. The theatre’s Artistic Director will make the final selection of the residency group by the end of the year.
Can I receive personalized feedback on my application?
Applicants will receive information by email regarding the application process and the criteria influencing the final selections. The curator aims to include brief application-specific feedback in these communications whenever possible.
Will theatre staff be present during the residency?
The residency begins with an orientation period at the end of May, to be scheduled separately. During this period, the working group may work alongside Studio Pasila’s staff.
The staff will be on summer holiday during June and July. However, the residency group may contact the on-call stage manager when necessary. Staff return to Pasila at the beginning of August.
How much permanent staff does Studio Pasila have?
Studio Pasila employs a stage manager, lighting supervisor, sound supervisor, assistant stage manager, two stage technicians, a dresser, and a front-of-house/props coordinator. Not all staff members may be present during the August performance season.
What technical resources are included in the residency?
The residency includes Studio Pasila’s standard technical resources. The theatre space has easily accessible catwalks throughout the venue, making tasks such as lighting focus straightforward.
Please note that the PA system configuration cannot be altered, and Studio Pasila does not have high-quality video projectors available as standard equipment. In principle, equipment cannot be borrowed from other Helsinki City Theatre venues. Any rental costs for external equipment are the responsibility of the working group.
The selected residency group may visit Studio Pasila before the residency period begins. Permanent staff will introduce the residency group’s designers to the theatre’s technical systems.
Technical specifications for Studio Pasila can be found here.
What material and production resources are included in the residency?
The residency does not include access to workshop resources from Helsinki City Theatre’s main building or working time from staff in other departments (set construction, costume department, makeup, etc.).
When planning your work, please note that the Pasila staff are not present during June and July. The residency does include working time with the residency curator. Helsinki City Theatre is responsible for ticket sales and front-of-house services during the performance run.
Does Studio Pasila have dance flooring?
No. Any dance flooring required must be sourced separately by the working group.
Is the operation of sound and lighting during performances the responsibility of the working group?
Yes. The working group is generally responsible for running sound and lighting during performances. Sound and lighting cues are operated within the QLab environment, and an MA2 lighting console is used as the control system.
What communications and marketing activities are included in the residency?
The residency production will be marketed as part of the theatre’s seasonal programme on the website and in the seasonal brochure. The marketing schedule will be reviewed during the autumn preceding the residency summer.
Promotional photographs and text must be submitted by February prior to the residency.
Is the residency group employed by Helsinki City Theatre?
No. The working group and its members are not employees of Helsinki City Theatre. For example, the theatre does not provide accident insurance for members of the working group.
What responsibilities belong to the working group?
The working group is responsible for organizing and financing the production, including insurance, funding and associated obligations, as well as any copyright and employer-related costs.
The group is also responsible for rental or purchase costs of any technical equipment or materials not available at Studio Pasila. More detailed responsibilities will be specified in the residency agreement.
Does the residency include post-production support?
No. After the premiere, the rights to the performance remain with the working group. The group is independently responsible for any future life of the work, including touring and post-production activities. The equipment and resources of Studio Pasila and the Helsinki City Theatre will not be available for any tours after the end of the Helsinki City Theatre’s performance run.