Based on a True Story
ARCHA+, Projekt Batyskaf, and Komuna Warszawa are launching a joint international project called Based on a True Story, focused on contemporary theater and performance practices that work with documentary approaches and research-based artistic processes.
As part of the project, ARCHA+ is announcing an open call for performative projects that critically respond to the theme Based on a True Story. The curatorial framework for this theme is formulated by project curators Adam Dragun and Olga Ciężkowska as follows:
"The phrase Based on a True Story, which often appears at the end of a narrative, traditionally serves to lend a sense of seriousness and authenticity to the work. But what does this statement mean today? What are the possibilities and limitations of art when working with real stories? Where is the boundary between truth and fiction, and what transformations does truth undergo once it enters artistic creation? How can real stories be transferred to the stage in such a way that they retain their critical potential, and how can research itself become a dramaturgical tool?"
We are primarily interested in minimalist theatrical and performative forms that open up these questions through a clearly articulated concept, economical means, and critical work with the material.
The open call is intended for artists working in the broad field of performative art, including students. The selected project will be developed into a performative work lasting 30–75 minutes, conceived as a self-contained but potentially evolving phase of a longer artistic process. The work should be ready for public presentation and adaptable to various spatial and institutional contexts.
One project will be selected for implementation and premiere in autumn 2026. Selected artists will participate in a 2-3 week residency at the ARCHY+ studio and stage, culminating in an internal work-in-progress presentation. It will premiere in Prague (September 29–October 2, 2026), followed by Bratislava (October 6–9, 2026) and Warsaw (November 25–28, 2026), together with works by Slovak and Polish partner organizations.
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.
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+