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“Kosmos Theatre” together with the Kaunas City Chamber Theatre invites stage and interdisciplinary art creators to submit proposals for the “ConTempo OFF” programme.

For the third year in a row, this independent experimental platform for performing arts aims to present works by Lithuanian and international creators that do not fit within the traditional boundaries of music, theatre, or visual arts disciplines, or into conventional festival formats.

An open platform for young creators to present and develop their works

“The goal of this programme is to create an open platform for artists who want to present their works — whether still in development or already completed — that do not fit standard formats, do not have a dissemination plan, and have not yet found the right environment in which to live. With the technical support of the Kaunas City Chamber Theatre and Kosmos Theatre, creators will be able to present their works with minimal costs, test their impact on audiences, and try out new solutions. I often find myself in situations where a new interdisciplinary piece does not fit the definition of a play, an installation, a concert, or a performance. In my opinion, this programme helps creators develop, refine, and present works that are the hardest to find a place for.

For example, the interdisciplinary Kosmos Theatre piece ‘Concert and Installation for Piano and Furniture’, which I was also part of creating, was first presented in this programme. Later it travelled to various theatre, lighting, popular culture, and contemporary music festivals, fairs, and venues. Thanks to this programme, we were able to create professional promotional material — we recorded a high-quality audio recording, took professional photos of the performance, and collected audience feedback, which later helped us present the work to programme directors and curators of other events. So this platform is essentially a birthplace for new works that have not yet found their way — a place where they are documented, presented, and given a full promotional package so they can begin their independent life,” says Žilvinas Vingelis, artistic director of the programme.

On 7 August 2025 in Kaunas, up to 5 selected works will be presented as part of a one-day programme.

The OFF programme will be formed according to the following priorities:

• Presentation of unconventional works by emerging creators (both finished works and sketches);
• Interdisciplinary creations by experienced artists from various fields, with a focus on live performance and audience participation;
• Interactive and personally experienced sound and video installations.

For the selected works, we will provide a technical base (performance space, technical support, and equipment) and include them in the information dissemination campaign.

Applications are accepted until 5 March 2025 by filling in the electronic application form: https://forms.office.com/e/0s76mTapiv

For more information: darius@kosmostheatre.com

The international performing arts festival “ConTempo” will take place from 2 to 9 August 2025 in the city of Kaunas and the Kaunas district.