Creative Laboratory “The Word vs. Silence”: Open Call for Participation
OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
State Puppet Theatre Stara Zagora and Pierrot NGO announce an open call for participation in the 14th Creative Laboratory “The Word vs. Silence”, which will take place from 1 to 15 September 2026 in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
The artistic mentors of the laboratory will be Elica Petkova – director, Iva Gikova and Ivaylo Nikolov – scenographers, and Plamen Petkov – composer.
The theme of the upcoming laboratory is to explore the word and material in depth. The aim is to search for different verbal genres within selected texts and to test the possibilities of the word both within and beyond the context of the chosen excerpt from a play, as well as to examine what transformations this may bring about.
As a second major focus, the laboratory will explore whether, to what extent, and even whether it is possible to achieve a certain superiority when replacing the spoken word on stage with material and the principles of puppet theatre. We will examine whether specific relationships can be expressed without words; whether we can tell the same stories; what potential material holds; what kind of transformation is required from the actors when changing the means of expression; what is more valuable – emotions or specificity; and what directorial approaches are needed in these two different cases. In the laboratory, we will place theatre at its extremes and explore how we can move within them.
Three teams, each consisting of a director and a scenographer, will be selected to participate through an application process based on the required materials submitted on the theme “The Word vs. Silence”.
Each selected team will work with five actors.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DIRECTORS APPLYING TO TAKE PART IN THE CREATIVE LABORATORY “THE WORD VS. SILENCE”
A short biography of the director and the scenographer, up to 2 pages.
A creative project, up to 2 pages, including 2 excerpts from works that will be explored during the laboratory. It is recommended that the selected texts contain strong and clearly defined relationships. The project should also include a brief justification of the chosen texts and a selection of materials proposed by the scenographers for the work process.
A short motivation letter, up to 1 page.
A justified draft budget for materials within the amount of €760.
The projects should be in line with the thematic framework of the laboratory and with the possibility of practical realization within its duration.
The selected teams will have the opportunity to develop and present their creative explorations within the laboratory, focusing on the relationships between word, silence, material, actorly presence and the principles of puppet theatre.
Application documents should be sent to the following e-mail addresses: dramaturge.stz.puppets@gmail.com and 4puppetscompany@gmail.com
Application deadline: 1 June 2026
The selection results will be announced on 15 June 2026.
Accommodation and one meal per day will be provided for the selected participants.
Creative Laboratory “The Word vs. Silence” is realized with the financial support of the Culture Fund of Stara Zagora Municipality.
