FAQ Tanztage Berlin 2025 – Sophiensæle | Freies Theater in Berlin
FAQ Tanztage Berlin 2025
We recommend the following publication providing guidelines and offering some practical tools to be used directly in the studio, art and dance institutions, and all activities around dancemaking in Berlin. It proposes a baseline for the healthy collaboration between professionals in Berlin’s independent dance scene as we strive for structural improvement.
We also recommend the online platform EMERGING DANCE ARTISTS of Dachverband Tanz with the free workbook that accompanies it.
General
Should I apply with this project?
Please send us a complete application and add anything we should know (notes, comments) in the space provided at the end of the form. Only then will we be able to consider the project and make a decision. Please note that we are not able to give detailed feedback to all applicants at the application stage.
The deadline for applications is 11 August 2024.
I do not live in Berlin, can I still apply?
The festival is for emerging artists based in Berlin. We do not check the confirmation of registration (the famous "registration"), but a professional connection to the city is important to us.
Which Berlin groups can take part in the festival? And what exactly do you mean by "emerging artists"?
The festival is aimed at Berlin-based emerging artists - the definition is broad, but includes, for example: artists at the beginning of their career, artists who have recently moved to Berlin, or those who haven't received project funding in Berlin (Individual Project Funding, HKF).
In any case, there is no age limit!
Can I apply with more than one project?
Yes, you can! There is no limit to the number of applications per person, but we advise you to apply with the project that you feel most passionate about.
Does it make sense to apply twice with the same project?
Yes, you can.
Is there a way to communicate with the TANZTAGE team before sending my application?
Yes, you can!
You can book a 25-minute individual appointment with the artistic director online using the form on our website (see "Open Curator's Office"). Please note that if no appointment is available via the form, this means that all appointments have already been booked.
You can email tanztage@sophiensaele.com and we will be happy to let you know if there is a last-minute opening.
Alternatively, you can attend our online information session, which will be held on Zoom on 9 August 2024 at 7pm. The last 30 minutes will be reserved for questions from participants. To attend, please register at anmeldung@tanzbuero-berlin.de with your name and role (e.g. dancer, choreographer, etc.).
Is it okay if the application is in English? I already have a draft and wonder if I should ask someone to translate it.
You can apply in English - please don't pay anyone to translate your application!
I am working on a long-term research project that I have already presented for my degree. I am still developing the project. Can you tell me which application I should choose?
If you are undecided between two modules (premiere or revival), please tick the module that best suits your project at the time of application and kindly add a note in the comments section at the end of the form to explain your choice. Projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our Artistic Director and the final decision will depend on many factors (scope of the project, timetable, nature of the changes, etc.).
Can images / visuals be included in the PDF document in addition to the video links? How long do you want the video links to be for previous work and current work? And do you want links to full-length works or just trailers/excerpts?
Yes! Feel free to include some visual material in your application and please do not hesitate to send us full-length works, if available, along with trailers/excerpts.
The more information we receive, the easier it is for us to understand your project!
Do I need a production manager on my team?
It's up to you - it's not compulsory.
Do I need a dramaturge on my team?
Selected artists will receive dramaturgical support from us. If you already have a dramaturg / outside eye on your team, you can apply with them. In this case, their fee must be part of your budget.
Application form
Do you wish for a CV in form of a data sheet or a formulated CV?
Regarding artist´s biography, there is no strict format, please send us what fits you best and what you would like us to know about you. You can also send both formats (written biography/traditional cv) if you feel it is relevant.
The "technical needs/ requirements" does not mean a full Tech Rider, right?
This form is a way for us to understand better the scope of your project at this stage. The more info we receive, the easier it is for us to evaluate it.
If you already have a tech rider available, please do send it to us. Otherwise, you can simply specify the essential tech info for your project. If it is a very minimal set up for example, you can also specify it here.
What exactly do you mean by „accessibility information“? There is no language or text in my piece, so I would consider it accessible. Are there any other things I need to consider?
Please inform us about the language used and about accessibility measures used in the project (e.g. audio description, relaxed performance).
To get more information about accessibility we recommend a free online publication by our colleagues from the network Making a Difference (available in German and English).
For more information about potential barriers, check the website of Diversity Arts Culture.
Budget
Is there a budget template to follow?
There is no official template, you can use whatever works best for you. If you find it helpful, you can download the example of a premiere budget that was presented at our info session event last year here. Of course, the cost centres and amounts should be adapted to suit your own project.
This preliminary budget is just a way for us to assess the scope of your project at this stage (number of participants, needs, etc.) and the financial support you would need from us to make it happen.
Do I have to include the KSK tax in the calculation or is it paid directly by you and therefore not included in the budget?
Yes, you will need to pay the KSK for your team (5% of all artist fees). You can include this cost in your budget. For your information, as a theatre we will also pay an additional KSK tax on our side for all projects.
The budget is a way for us to estimate the scope of the project (number of participants, material requirements, etc.) and the amount of financial support required to realise the project. A rough estimate is sufficient at this stage. If you need guidance, please contact us by email.
Is this budget calculation only for the premiere module or also for revivals?
We do not require a budget for the revival module.
The projects selected for this module will all receive a lump sum of €3,000, as stated in the Call for Proposals.
The exact list of documents to be attached to the application is detailed by module on the application form.
Should I include performance/evening fees in my budget? How many shows are planned?
The evening fees must be calculated separately, in addition to the budget. You are welcome to enter the total amount in a second 'tab' in e.g. Excel. Usually there are two performances per project.
As a reminder, the evening fee is for everyone involved in the performance on the night of the performance (performers on stage and technical staff running the shows).
Light, sound and other technical aspects
Will the technical aspects (light and sound) be fully supported by the TANZTAGE team? Or are we expected to hire our own light and sound designers/technicians and include them in the budget?
Our technical team can run your shows, but they do not design the sound and lighting.
As far as sound and lighting design is concerned, you are welcome to hire sound and lighting designers as part of your team and include their fees in your budget. If your sound and lighting designers can also run shows on performance days, they will be paid an additional performance fee per show. Please note that performance fees should be calculated in addition to the budget.
If your sound and lighting designers are unable to run the shows, our technical team will take care of this after receiving your precise artistic instructions.
For in-house rehearsals, our technical team is always available to assist.
I will be using a very minimal lighting setup. Can I work with an in-house technician to set up and run the show, or do I still need to bring my own lighting person?
We are happy to provide our technical lighting and sound team for technical set-up and shows if required. However, our team is not responsible for lighting and sound design and requires precise artistic specifications.
The application webpage states that sound designers can run the show and receive a fee. Will there be a separate technician from Sophiensæle who knows the sound system? Or will the sound designer I'm working with also oversee the technical side on the night of the show?
We offer two options for running the shows (in terms of light and sound):
1) either your "own" sound designer/light designer runs the show on their own, and would then receive a performance fee of €380/person for each night.
2) or our technicians would take care of it directly.
In the first case, please note that
- your sound and lighting designers will have the opportunity to discuss all technical aspects with our technical team during the rehearsal period and to familiarize themselves with the space and equipment.
- In any case, someone from our technical team will be on site on the days of the performance and will be responsible for the general technical aspects. Our technical staff will be able to help if any major technical issues arise on the day (but they would not be 'trained' to operate light/sound specifically for your show).
Are there any technical requirements that need to be met?
Yes, please make sure that everything you install on stage (scenery, decorations) must be classified as B1 flame-retardant according to DIN 4102 or DIN EN 13501-1. Props may be normally flammable.
Scenery includes, for example: wall, floor and ceiling elements, screens, curtains, stairs and other stage design elements.
Decorations include, for example: drapery, garlands, flags and artificial plant decorations.
Props are movable furnishings such as furniture, lights, pictures and tableware.
Rehearsals
How detailed should my rehearsal schedule be?
The rehearsal schedule allows us to better understand the scope of your project and your needs between approximately November and January.
Also, as we will be providing two weeks of rehearsal space to all selected artists, it is useful for us to understand what your ideal rehearsal schedule would be for organizational reasons. We don't need to know all the planning details, just an idea of how you would like the project to work.
I need rehearsal space for more than 2 weeks. What should I do?
If you need more rehearsal time than we can offer, please organize it directly with your team and include the cost in your budget if it is a premiere.
We can offer selected artists:
- (for premieres only) free off-site rehearsal space (approx. 2 weeks per production). Please note that we cannot guarantee two weeks of consecutive rehearsals.
- Approx. 1-2 days for rehearsals on site at Sophiensæle between Christmas and New Year.
- Approx. 3 days for final rehearsals (usually shared with another group), technical set up + dress rehearsal on stage in January 2025.
Can I come and see the space in person?
All selected artists will be offered some rehearsals on site at the Sophiensaele between Christmas and New Year. If your project is selected and you would like to come and see the space before the rehearsals, you can write to us to arrange a short visit.
For your information, detailed plans of all our rooms are also available on our website.