February 2027 | Austria - Region Weiz, Styria

KRAFT invites international theatre makers, performance artists, and collectives to apply with finished productions for the first edition of the biennial festival. KRAFT is looking for strong contemporary works that resonate with the festival’s theme ENERGY and are interested in being presented within a curated festival context that combines performances, discourse and exchange.

FESTIVAL THEME 2027: ENERGY

The first edition of KRAFT focuses on ENERGY – understood as a driving force in bodies, societies, and artistic processes. We are interested in works that deal with energy as a political, physical, and ecological resource.

We are looking for productions that address energy through various lenses:

POWER & FRICTION: Energy as political momentum, resistance, and the force needed to disrupt the status quo.

THE ECOLOGY OF EFFORT: Sustainability beyond the greenwashing, exploring resources, extraction, and the climate emergency. A look at the ecological crisis and the materials that power our world.

HUMAN BATTERIES: Between hyper-productivity and systemic burnout. What happens when the driving force runs dry?

Rhythms and Transformations: The intensity of movement, tension, and change. How do we channel collective desire into social change?

ENERGY can be addressed thematically, formally, or structurally. Narrative, abstract, choreographic, or participatory approaches are equally welcome.

What matters is a clear artistic position and a radical curiosity for experimentation. We are looking for emerging theatre makers who are driven by innovation and a desire to explore new territory in contemporary performance.

LOCATION: WEIZ, AUSTRIA

Weiz is a region defined by a long industrial tradition. As the home of major companies like Siemens and Andritz (formerly ELIN), it is a place where transformers and generators are built for the global market. Today, the city carried the slogan Stadt voll Energie (City full of Energy), focusing on innovation, sustainability, and high quality of life.

For KRAFT, this industrial background is more than just a backdrop. We believe that the rural space is not a peripheral stage, but the frontline of ecological and social transformation. By bringing international productions to this specific context, we want to create a space for artistic discharge, connecting global crises with local realities.

Furthermore, Weiz is the hometown of KRA. This is where KRA grew up, solved their first conflicts and also gained their first theatre experiences.

ORGANISER: KRA

KRAFT is organised and curated by KRA, an international theatre collective founded by Nora Köhler and Vera Kopfauf. KRA works at the intersection of theatre, performance, and political practice, often using satire as a tool to navigate complex global issues. The collective operates on the bold (and admittedly ambitious) claim of solving the world's conflicts through artistic intervention.

Deeply embedded in the Styrian independent scene and part of the European network in-situ, KRA bridges the gap between local structures and international collaborations. For KRAFT, the collective aims to create a festival atmosphere that is both professionally rigorous and artistically radical.

THEATERLAND

KRAFT is realized within the framework of Theaterland, a cornerstone of the regional performing arts scene for over two decades. As an experienced festival network, Theaterland has been dedicated to bringing high-quality contemporary theatre and innovative performances to the diverse landscapes of Styria.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for finished, tour-ready productions that have already premiered and show a strong artistic signature. We welcome theatre, performance, and interdisciplinary works.

The two main venues for the projects we want to show are two event halls with a classic stage and equipment.

Site-sensitive works: We are open to productions that can adapt to non-traditional spaces. However, please note that the festival takes place in February in Austria. It will be cold, and outdoor locations could be covered in snow. Your production and team must be prepared for these winter conditions.

Language Requirements:
Performances can be in English, German, or non-verbal. For other languages, please indicate if subtitles are available.

WHAT WE OFFER

Performance Opportunity: Presenting your work to the Austrian press, colleagues, and a diverse local audience.

Financials: Artist fees (depending on production size), coverage of travel and accommodation.

Professional Support: Technical support on-site and professional photo/video documentation.

Networking: Participation in all internal exchange and networking formats.

EXCHANGE

KRAFT is designed as a space for mutual learning. We believe that the value of a festival lies in the meeting of artists. Therefore, we invite all groups to stay for the entire duration of the festival.

The program includes dedicated formats for exchange between the participating international groups and the regional scene. Instead of a classic guest-performance model, we offer a framework where you can share methods, discuss perspectives and connect with other artists.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Projects will be selected based on:

Artistic quality and signature: We are looking for works with a strong, distinct aesthetic language and professional execution.

Thematic relevance: A clear and compelling artistic engagement with the theme ENERGY in its political, ecological, or physical dimensions.

Experimental spirit: A focus on emerging theatre makers who are committed to innovation and pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance.

Technical and logistical feasibility: Practicality within the festival’s framework, including technical requirements and adaptability to the Austrian winter (especially for site-sensitive works).

Potential for artistic and thematic dialogue: We select artists who have a genuine interest in exchanging ideas and perspectives with their international peers and the local community of Weiz.

Local and social connectivity: The potential of the production to resonate with a rural-industrial context and its openness to engage with a diverse local audience.

SELECTION & DIALOGUE

The selection is curated by the artistic directors of KRA and Theaterland. Our process follows two stages:

First Round: Review of all submitted materials.

Second Round (July): Shortlisted groups will be invited for a video call to discuss their work, its adaptability to the context in Weiz, and conditions and expectations.

Final selection (August): we will select a total of six productions: three international groups and three local groups.

A TEMPORARY COMMUNITY

KRAFT is built on the meeting of different perspectives. Our goal is to bring six positions together to form a temporary community for the duration of the festival.

We believe that the most valuable parts of a festival happen between the performances. Therefore, we require all participating artists to stay for the entire festival period.

To support this exchange, a Festival Center will serve as our anchor point. It is a place for shared meals, late-night drinks, and the exchange of ideas.

APPLICATION & REQUIRED MATERIALS

Please fill out the online form which includes:

About the Project: Short and detailed Description of the project, Thematic Link to ENERGY, Video and Photo documentation

About the Artists: Short Bio, Full Portfolio

Technical & Financials Needs

Deadline:

16th May 2026

Festival dates:

24th to 28th of February 2027