GRADUS II Edition – Call for Participation 2026–2027

GRADUS II is a two-year artistic development and production programme for emerging creators working in live performance. Run by Associazione Reggio Parma Festival — a collaboration between the cities of Parma and Reggio Emilia and three major Italian theatre institutions — the programme focuses on intergenerational exchange, experimentation, mentorship, and the development of original, unrealised works.

The 2026 phase is dedicated to intensive research, workshops, seminars, and training sessions. Up to 10 selected participants (individual artists or creative teams of up to three members) will work closely with internationally recognised mentors from theatre, opera, music, cinema, choreography, and visual design. At the end of the training phase, up to three projects will be selected for full professional production in 2027, to be presented as part of major Italian performing arts festivals including Festival Aperto, Festival Verdi, and Teatro Festival.

The programme particularly welcomes innovative approaches to dramaturgy, music theatre, opera direction, stage direction, choreography, and scenography. Applicants must be aged 35 or younger at the application deadline and must submit a project that has not yet been produced or staged.

Each selected participant receives a scholarship of €1,200 gross to support accommodation and participation costs during mandatory in-person sessions in Parma and Reggio Emilia. The scholarship is paid in two instalments and requires full attendance at all scheduled sessions.

Key dates:

• Application deadline: 15 June 2026
• Parma training sessions: 30–31 October and 2–4 November 2026
• Reggio Emilia session: 30 November – 3 December 2026
• Final project submission: 15 December 2026
• Selected productions announced: January 2027

To apply, submit via email to segreteria@reggioparmafestival.it with: a completed application form (Annex A), a motivation letter, a project abstract (max 4,000 characters), a valid identity document, a CV for each team member, and a signed privacy/data consent form (Annex B). There is no application fee.