Based on a True Story
ARCHA+, Projekt Batyskaf, and Komuna Warszawa launch a joint international project titled Based on a True Story, exploring contemporary theatre and performance practices that engage with documentary approaches and research-based artistic processes.
As part of the project, ARCHA+ announces an open call for performative projects that critically respond to the theme Based on a True Story. The curatorial framework of this theme is articulated by the project’s curators Adam Dragun and Olga Ciężkowska, as follows:
"The phrase “based on a true story,” often appearing at the end of a narrative, traditionally serves to lend a work a sense of seriousness and authenticity. But what does this claim mean today? What are the possibilities and limits of art when working with real narratives? Where does the boundary between truth and fiction emerge, and what transformations does “truth” undergo once it enters artistic creation? How can real stories be translated to the stage in ways that preserve their critical potential, and how can research itself become a dramaturgical tool?"
We are particularly interested in minimalist theatrical and performative forms that engage with these questions through clarity of concept, economy of means, and critical reflection.
The open call is addressed to artists working within the broad field of performative arts for whom research is an essential part of their creative practice. It is aimed at projects that are either completely new or already in development at the research stage.
Applications may be submitted by individuals or artistic collectives (with a maximum of three members per group).
The selected project will be developed into a performative work of 30–75 minutes, conceived as a complete yet potentially evolving stage of a longer artistic process. The work should be ready for public presentation and adaptable to different spatial and institutional contexts.
One project will be selected for development and premiere in autumn 2026, first presented in Prague (29 September – 2 October 2026), and subsequently shown in Bratislava (6–9 October 2026) and Warsaw (25–28 November 2026), alongside works by Slovak and Polish partner organisations.
After the presentation in Prague, there will be an opportunity to develop the work into its final format, with a premiere in November/December 2026.
If anything is unclear, please send your questions to martina.filinova@archa-plus.cz.
To ensure feasibility and consistency across all three countries, the concept of the work presented at the festivals will be subject to the following restrictions:
financial conditions: €2,000 for the creative phase, €900 for total production costs; plus a fee of €1,000 + €500 for a technician for each performance at the festival
traveling team of max. 3 people (e.g., 1–2 artists on stage and 1 technician)
Preparation (setup, rehearsal) within one day
Maximum dimensions of the "performance space" – 5 x 6 m
Duration: 30–75 min
Simple technical solution and portable scenography (personal car, max. van or large luggage compartment in an airplane), ideally adaptable for non-traditional spaces.
January 23 - February 23, 2026 - Open call
February 25 - March 3, 2026 - Personal meetings with selected artists
March 5 - Open call results
March - June 2026 - Phase 1 of the creative process
Second half of June 2026 - Sharing the concept with the internal team
July - September 2026 - Phase 2 of the creative process - residency at the Studio Zlatnická rehearsal space and in the small ARCHY+ hall internal presentation of work in progress at the end of the residency
September 29 - November 28, 2026 - presentation of the work at festivals - Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw
November - December 2026 - final premiere at ARŠE+