Open call

INTRODUCTION

TÂN HẬU TRƯỜNG (NEW BACKSTAGE) is a theatre project initiated and curated by XplusX Studio, organized by the Goethe-Institut Hanoi and Manzi Art Space, that aims at fostering independent theatrical and performing art practices in Hanoi. NEW BACKSTAGE invites proposals from any individual or group of creative practitioners: Professional artists, students, beginners, and explorers who want to professionalize their careers are all welcome to submit their theater/performance ideas.

* The ideas and concepts that address contemporary contexts, engage original script writing, and employ experimental, inventive approaches in the production are given preferences.

Once selected, the ideas will go into a minimum of a two-month-long production run backed by XplusX Studio, the Goethe-Institut Hanoi and Manzi, culminating in a series of public performances at Manzi for Hanoi's local audience.

OBJECTIVES

1. ACCOMPANY individuals and groups of practitioners, encouraging them to realize their ideas into diverse performances with no limitation of genres or methods (it can be an adaptation, an original script or experimental stage)
2. ASSIST the participants during production process, equip them with expert consultation, technical, logistical & financial support, and provide aids throughout the management and organization of the performance events
3. ACTIVATE a fresh, less formal presentation of theatre & performing art, challenging it outside the confined space of official opera house or drama theater, and making this art accessible and relatable for public audience
4. PROMOTE theatre arts in cultural and contemporary art scene of Hanoi
5. BUILD a sustainable community of audiences and theatre practitioners who engage, dialogue and support each other
6. ESTABLISH the role of theater as a responsive, reflective instrument for social dialogues and the creation of an inclusive art environment

PRODUCTION AND DURATION

• Aiming to be an engaging long-term project, ‘New Backstage’ will run its first edition for one year (May 2024 - June 2025)
• The FIRST OPEN CALL for proposal submission is open from May 2024 until August 31, 2024
• Selected proposals will undergo a three-month-long production process and be introduced into official performances at manzi spaces.
• Result of the project: an inviting art program of periodic performances for local audiences with a regularity of 1 new production to be launched every 2 or 3 months and each production to be played 3–4 times.

ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS

1. Applicants can be either an individual or a group, regardless of practice field, expertise or experience,
2. Applicants must have ability to work collaboratively.
3. Submitted proposal must be original and can be from either individual or a collective of creators.

Preference will be given to ideas and proposals that include:

• Original script writing
• Staging designed with site-specific, context-responsive elements that are interactive with the manzi’s spaces

COMMITMENTS OF ORGANIZERS

LOGISTICS SUPPORT FROM MANZI:

Manzi provides venues and supports part of the facilities for the selected proposal during the production process and performing events;
Manzi provides assistance within its capabilities to meet the technical and human resources requirements;
Manzi is responsible for all the promotion & communications campaigns and organization of public events

TECHNICAL & EXPERTISE SUPPORT FROM XPLUSX STUDIO:

In the role of an accompanist, XplusX Studio provides consultation (as non-interfering guidelines) throughout the whole production process, assisting in finalizing the script, casting, staging, sound & lighting design, etc.
XplusX Studio also supports the participants with their networks and helps them connect with local artists, creative communities, practitioners and researchers in diverse related disciplines such as literature, history, performing arts, sound art,...

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FROM THE GOETHE-INSTITUT HANOI

Throughout the production process, the Goethe-Insitut contributes to the expertise and professional training of the participants through workshop and coaching program with international partners and experts
The Goethe-Institut also provides development opportunities through international networking and professional overseas exchange activities
As a long-time collaborator, the Goethe-Institut can assist the participants and their project group/collective on strategic issues and sustainable planning for a long career path.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Each selected proposal will receive financial assistance for their production. The offered grants will be considered and decided based on the budget plan and production process
Performances may be ticketed, and the proceeds will be be utilized to cover the cost of administration & event organization

* ABOUT THE COPYRIGHTS: The participants of NEW BACKSTAGE project will retain their rights, after the production in this project is completed, to continue to develop, adapt, and restage their works for any reproduction and performance in their future practices.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

XplusX Studio:

XplusX Studio is an independent creative collective in the field of performing arts and scenography, founded by stage director and scenographer Ha Nguyen Long.
XplusX Studio was born with the desire to contribute to creating a foothold of traditional Vietnamese performing arts for domestic and international audiences and, at the same time, to create an interdisciplinary community of performing arts and decentralized theatre in Vietnam.
 XplusX Studio focuses on both researching and experimenting with performing art forms, traditional to modern, creating meaningful references, connections and reflections between Eastern and Western performing arts. We aim to contribute to an ecosystem of sustainable communities for practicing performing arts that is taking shape in Vietnam.

Goethe-Institut Hanoi

The Goethe-Institut Hanoi was founded in 1997. Its main intention is to foster cultural exchange between Vietnam, Germany and Europe. In this perspective, we organize a broad range of cultural activities, presenting German culture in Asia and intensifying the cultural dialogue between our countries.
The Goethe-Institut Hanoi focuses its programme work on seven main areas, which are:

1. Migration & diaspora
2. Postcolonialism & fair culture
3. Inclusion
4. Equality for women & LGBTIQ-persons
5. Urbanization & urban development
6. Sustainability in documentary films
7. Digitalization & society

Manzi Art Space:

Established in December 2012 as an independent art space aiming to support contemporary Vietnamese art, Manzi encourages diversity, creativity and co-creation in the arts & culture.
Through a wide range of activities, including visual art exhibitions, talks, workshops, movie screenings, music and dance performances, and public art projects, after over a decade of operation, Manzi has established itself not only as a space for contemporary artists (both established and emerging) to realize their new experiments but also as a must-following place for local art-lovers.
Manzi has a collaborative approach, working together with local artists, intellectuals and social activists, as well as international cultural institutions.

APPLICATION GUIDELINE

The submissions must include:

1. A brief description of the proposed idea, including the budget plan (no more than three A4 pages),
2. A draft sketch of the performance (which can be in the form of illustration or demo video or filming footage) or a draft script
3. Images/video/audio files of past or present works with any available links to relevant websites or social media accounts (optional)
4. Portfolio and updated CV of applicant(s)
5. [REQUIRED IF APPLICANTS OPERATED AS A GROUP]: Statement about the method of working: One-A4-page description of how you have been working as an artist group/collective and the effective formula you have developed and defined for your own group. Please also specify the collaboration's components that you are still unclear about, as well as how you would need advice and inspiration for your practices in the performing arts

Language: Vietnamese or English.

Application process

Please send your application package to manzihanoi@gmail.com and cc to studioxplusx@gmail.com with subject line as: 'Tham gia dự án TÂN HẬU TRƯỜNG 2024’

Please use Google Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer to upload large size data and send over the link

NOTE:

• Proposals will not be returned to applicant(s).
• Proposals must be original. Any copyright infringement is unjustifiable and will result in immediate disqualification.
• Proposals will be evaluated by our jury board (representatives from the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, XplusX Studio and Manzi Art Space).
• Participants have full rights to continue to develop their selected ideas/ scripts and to re-stage the works produced in 'New Backstage' project for any future practices and performances with appropriate acknowledgement of this project.
• By submitting an idea to this open call, the entrant agrees that the idea is confidential and proprietary information and that the entrant retains ownership of the idea. The entrant agrees that the idea will not be disclosed to any third party without the entrant's prior written consent.