Drafted by Katerina Delikonstantinidou[1]
Although we witness an impressive increase of international festivals devoted to the work of theatre and performance—a phenomenon that can be partly attributed to what cultural critics call the increasing “festivalization” of public cultures—a concise reference book about these very events taking place around the world is yet to be found.
As its title indicates, the present “International Theatre and Performing Arts Festival Guide” drafted for Critical Stages is designed to respond precisely to this need for a handy vade mecum of international theatre and performing arts festivals.
The entries, as one can see below, are tabulated chronologically; an arrangement which aims at facilitating the theatergoer, or just the traveler, to spot the event more easily. Each entry includes information regarding the place (city and country) of occurrence, the electronic address of the festival, as well as contact information (where available) and some keywords roughly describing its main focus, thus providing a brief yet succinct account of every festival in the “Guide.”
Aspiring to become a comprehensive record of all the important international theatre and performing arts festivals worldwide, the “Guide” section will be renewed and expanded with each following Critical Stages issue.
January
Sydney Festival
Sydney/Australia
http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2015
Contact: +02 8248 6500, email: access@sydneyfestival.org.au
Focus: local and international artists, contemporary and classical music, dance, circus, drama, visual arts, and artist talks
Festival de Liège (Biennial—on uneven years)
Liège/Belgium
http://www.festivaldeliege.be
Contact: +32(0)4 343 42 47, email: info@festivaldeliege.be
Focus: regional and international collectives, contemporary theatre, dance, music, exhibitions
PuSh: International Performing Arts Festival
Vancouver/Canada
http://pushfestival.ca
Contact: 1 604 605 8284, email: info@pushfestival.ca
Focus: new performance work by Canadian and international artists, innovative partnerships and collaborations, interactive forums
High Performance Rodeo: Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts
Calgary/Canada
https://www.hprodeo.ca
Contact: 403 294 7411, email: info@hprodeo.ca
Focus: local, national, and international performers, theatre, music, dance, comedy, and interdisciplinary art
International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK)
Thrissur/India
http://theatrefestivalkerala.com
Contact: +91 487 23 22734 or +91 487 23 27427, email: mailitfok@gmail.com
Focus: contemporary dance, music, theatre, folk and traditional theatre forms and other arts of India, documentation/preservation of rare art forms, seminars and workshops
Jos Repertory Theatre
Jos/Plateua State/Nigeria
http://www.josreptheatre.org
Contact: email: josreperthea@yahoo.com
Focus: contemporary plays, adaptations of plays by key European playwrights
Fujairah International Monodrama Festival
Fujairah/United Arab Emirates
http://fimf.ae/ar/Default.aspx
Contact: 92222678 00971, email: info@fimf.ae
Focus: monodrama, workshops and interactive educational seminars
Fadjr International Theatre Festival
Tehran/Iran
http://www.fadjrtheaterfestival.com/en
Contact: +98 21- 66 49 10 21 or +98 21-66 48 10 69, email: dac@neda.net
Focus: Iranian theatre shows and international performances, seminars and workshops
Manipulate: Innovative International Theatre and Film
Throughout Scotland/United Kingdom
http://manipulatefestival.org/festival/
Focus: innovative international visual theatre, puppetry, and animation
February
Adelaide Festival of Arts
Adelaide/Australia
http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au
Contact: +61 (0) 8 8216 4444, email: info@adelaidefestival.com.au
Focus: opera, theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, cabaret, literature, visual arts and new media
Perth International Arts Festival
Perth/Australia
https://2015.perthfestival.com.au
Contact: +61 8 6488 5555, email: festival@perthfestival.com.au
Focus: contemporary and classical music, dance, theatre, opera, visual arts, and large-scale public works
Progress: International Festival of Performance and Ideas
Toronto/Canada
http://thisisprogress.ca/
Contact: email: info@summerworks.ca
Focus: performance works, local artists, global scope
Ishara International Puppet Festival
Slhi/India
http://www.isharapuppet.com/isharapuppets/calender.htm
Contact: 91-11-26137824, email: info@isharapuppet.com
Focus: Indian and international puppetry companies modern and traditional forms or puppetry, mixed performances (dance, theatre, and music)
Al Bustan Festival: International Festival of Music and the Performing Arts
Beirut/Lebanon
http://albustanfestival.com/
Contact: +961-3-752000 or +961-4-972980/1/2, email: festival@albustan-lb.com or
festival@albustan.co.uk
Focus: thematic editions, opera, orchestral concerts, choral concerts, dance, marionettes, theatre, master classes and workshops
Colorado New Play Summit (Denver Center Theatre Company)
Denver/ CO/United States of America
http://www.denvercenter.org/events/colorado-new-play-summit
Contact: 303.893.4000, email: info@dcpa.org
Focus: new play readings, world premiere productions, networking events
March
Casteliers – Festival de Marionnettes pour Adultes et Enfants
Montreal/Canada
http://casteliers.ca
Contact: +(514) 270-7779, email: info@casteliers.ca
Focus: local, national, and international multi specialized presenters, traditional and contemporary forms of puppetry, adults and children
Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá
Bogotá/Colombia
http://festivaldeteatro.com.co/
Contact: +57 (1) 217 4577 or +57 (1) 245 1960
Focus: national and international companies, diversity and plurality of different genres and trends of the performing arts
Berliner Festspiele
Berlin/Germany
https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de
Contact: +49 30 254 89-0, email: info@berlinerfestspiele.de
Focus: diverse art exhibitions and culture events, music, theater, dance, and literature
dunaPart: Hungarian Showcase of Contemporary Performing Arts (almost biennial—next in 2017)
Budapest, Trafó and other venues/Hungaria
http://dunapart.net/en/home.html
Contact: email: info@dunapart.net
Focus: new works by Hungarian dance and theatre professionals, independent critics of contemporary performing arts
Trado-Modern Cultural Festival/ Carnival – Lagos Black Heritage Festival
Lagos Island/Lagos/Nigeria
Contact: (+234) 802 295 1020; 809 610 8715; 806 354 7229
Focus: mostly epics and plays by contemporary Nigerian and African playwrights
Trado-Modern Cultural Festival/ Carnival – Nzeh Mada Festival
Akwanga/Nasarawa State/Nigeria
http://www.nzehmadafestival.com
Contact: +2348060030607, email: eedeees@yahoo.com or info@nzehmadafestival.com
Focus: epics, folk plays, musical theater and experimental productions
REFLEX International Theatre Festival
Sfântu Gheorghe/Romania
www.reflexfest.ro
Contact: +40 267 351 886, email: office@tamasitheatre.ro
Focus: theatre classics in up-to-date versions, physical theatre, various artworks
Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival
Abu Dhabi/United Arab Emirates
http://www.abudhabifestival.ae
Contact: +971 (0) 2 333 6400, email: info@admaf.org
Focus: international and regional participants, classical arts, education, culture
Humana Festival of New American Plays (Actors Theatre of Louisville)
Louisville/KY/United States of America
http://actorstheatre.org/humana-festival-of-new-american-plays
Contact: 502-584-1205
Focus: full-length and one-act American plays, monologues, T(ext) shirt, phone plays and car plays, civic and cultural development
April
Budapest Fringe Festival
Budapest/Hungary
http://budapestfringe.com
Contact: email: szervezes@budapestfringe.com or pr@budapestfringe.com
Focus: wide range of works in non-mainstream theatre, dance, music and comedy
MITEM – Madách International Theatre Meeting
Budapest/Hungary
http://mitem.hu/en/home
Contact: +361 476 68 00, email: melinda.szuts@nemzetiszinhaz.hu or ami.muranyi@nemzetiszinhaz.hu
Focus: independent works for the theatre, communal experience, post-performance conversations, roundtable discussions and workshops
World Theatre Festival Shizuoka
Shizuoka/Japan
http://www.spac.or.jp
Contact:+81-054-203-5730, email: spac@spac.or.jp
Focus: national and international directors, publicly-funded performing arts
Shakespeare International Festival Craiova (Biennial)
Craiova/Romania
www.tncms.ro
Contact: + 40 251 415 363, email: cvshfest@yahoo.com
Focus: national and international theatre companies, performances of Shakespeare plays, performing artworks of Shakesperean inspiration
Meetings in Russia: International Festival of Russian Theatres from the CIS and Baltic Countries
Saint Petersburg/Russia
http://baltic-house.ru
Contact: +7(812)2320961 or +7(812)2320932, email: fc@baltichouse.spb.ru or yurieva@baltichouse.spb.ru
Focus: promotion and development of the Russian theatre art, consolidation of cultural communication with compatriots living abroad, artistic and political mission
ABSA KKNK Festival
Oudtshoorn/South Africa
http://kknk.co.za/kontak
Contact: + 27 44 203 8600, email: info@kknk.co.za
Focus: Afrikaans speaking target audience, performing and visual arts (drama, musical theatre, dance, classical music, children’s and street theatre shows, visual art exhibitions, classical and contemporary music concerts, more than one thousand individual events)
Pacific Playwrights Festival
Costa Mesa/ CA/United States of America
http://www.scr.org/plays/pacific-playwrights-festival
Contact: (714) 708-5500, email: theatre@scr.org
Focus: public play readings, new works by established and emerging American playwrights and theatre leaders, world premiere productions
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA)
Harare/Zimbabwe
http://www.hifa.co.zw
Contact: +263 4 309 999 or +263 4 300 977, email: info@hifa.co.zw
Focus: local, regional and international arts, theatre, music, dance, fine art, poetry, workshops
May
Kunstenfestivaldesarts
Brussels/Belgium
http://www.kfda.be
Contact: +32 2 226 45 79
Focus: national and international artists, contemporary theatre, dance, performance, visual arts, intercommunity dialogue, encounters and workshops
The International Theatre Festival of Authoring Projects (Teatarfest)
Sarajevo/Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://www.tf.com.ba
Contact: +387 (033) 442 958, email: tf@bih.net.ba
Focus: national and international, young and professional artistic groups, contemporary theatre, alternative and experimental projects
Festival Petits Bonheurs – Le Rendez-vous Culturel des Tout-petits
Montreal/Canada
http://www.petitsbonheurs.ca
Contact: +(514) 872-9907, email: info@petitsbonheurs.ca
Focus: young audiences, children and parent participation, various artistic disciplines, experimental workshops, mobilization of the community
Festival TransAmériques (FTA)
Montreal/Canada
http://www.fta.qc.ca
Contact: 514 842 0704, email: info@fta.qc.ca
Focus: new works in contemporary dance and theatre festival, interdisciplinarity, various artistic trends, exchange between artists and audience, workshops, debates, and round table discussions, hybridity and multilinguality
Fringe Festival Praha
Prague/Czech Republic
http://www.praguefringe.com
Contact: +420 602 549 008, email: steve@praguefringe.com
Focus: national and international artists, alternative theatre, dance, music, and comedy outside the mainstream
Festival Theatre der Welt (Triennial)
Mannheim/Germany
http://www.theaterderwelt.de/de/index.php
Contact: +49 30 611 0765 0, email: info@iti-germany.de
Focus: domestic and foreign theatre productions, discussion and research concerning aesthetic and social interrelations, European and international co-operation
World Festival of Puppet Art
Prague/Czech Republic
http://www.puppetart.com
Contact: +420 224 242 818
Focus: various forms of puppetry, movie and theatre performances, puppet education and workshops
Bob Theatre Festival
Athens/Greece
http://www.bobfestival.gr/Bob_Theatre_Festival_2014/Home.html
Contact: Markella Kazamia, email: kazamia@playwalk.gr
Focus: young groups, local and international, new performance works, competitions, stand-up comedy, concerts
Reykjavik Art Festival
Reykjavik/Iceland
http://artfest.is
Contact: +354 561 2444
Focus: national and international artists, multidisciplinarity, new commissions, creative intersection of the arts, exhibitions and performances of contemporary and classical works, emphasis on cultural diversity
Israel Festival Jerusalem
Jerusalem/Israel
http://israel-festival.org
Contact: +02 6237000
Focus: programs from Israel and abroad, multidiscilinarity, street performances and performances for children
Festival aan de Werf
Utrecht/Netherlands
http://www.festivalaandewerf.nl
Contact: Lotte Heeman, +31 (0) 30 231 5844, +31 (0) 30 231 5355, email: info@huisaandewerf.nl
Focus: domestic and foreign, emphasis on works of recent development in theatre, dance, visual arts, and installations in indoor and outdoor venues
Bergen International Festival
Bergen/Norway
http://www.fib.no
Contact: +47 55 21 06 30
Focus: regional, national, and international artists, (classical) music, dance, literature, visual arts, folklore, premieres and new productions, tradition and experimentation
FITEI: International Theatre Festival of Iberian Expression
Porto/Portugal
http://www.fitei.com
Contact: +351 222 082 432
Focus: national and international groups, performing arts, installations, and other cultural activities, indoor and outdoor venues
International Street Theatre Festival / B-FIT in the Street!
Bucharest/Romania
http://www.arcub.ro
Contact: + 40 21 795 36 02, email: pr@arcub.ro
Focus: local, regional, national, international participants, experimentation with new ways of artistic expression, cultural and artistic workshops, promotion of Bucharest culture
Chekhov International Theatre Festival
Moscow/Russia
http://www.chekhovfest.ru
Contact: +7 495 223 54 99
Focus: classical drama versions of Chekhov, modern dance and ballet interpretations, discussions, seminars, and workshops
European Festival of Performing Arts – Romanian Drama Festival / FEST-FDR
Timişoara/Romania
www.tntimisoara.com
Contact: + 40 256 499 908, email: tntm.office@timisoara.com
Focus: Romanian drama, Romanian and European performance artists, street performances, one man shows, dance-theatre, concerts
Euroregional Theatre Festival Timişoara / TESZT
Timişoara/Romania
http://www.teszt.ro
Contact: +40 256 434 814, email: office@tm-t.ro
Focus: national and international (especially European) groups and performers, classic and contemporary theatre, non-verbal performances, music, puppets and marionette theatre plays, experiments and research, collaboration and multiculturalism
Singapore Arts Festival
Singapore
http://www.singaporeartsfest.com
Contact: +65 837 9589
Focus: local and international participants, theatre arts, dance, music and visual arts, collaborations, cutting-edge contemporary art
Festival Nová Drama/New Drama Festival
Bratislava/Slovakia
http://www.theatre.sk/en/projects-and-services/nova-drama-new-drama-festival
Contact: +421 2 5930 4780
Focus: contemporary Slovak theatre, contemporary foreign drama, lectures on contemporary drama and theatre
International Istanbul Theatre Festival (Biennial)
Istanbul/Turkey
http://tiyatro.iksv.org
Contact: +90 212 334 07 77
Focus: theatre companies and dance groups from Turkey and abroad, classical and contemporary renditions, new topics and works in performing arts, educational programmes, co-productions, and themes related to social problems
Spoleto Festival USA
Charleston/SC/Unites States of America
http://www.spoletousa.org
Contact: +843 722 2764
Focus: renowned and emerging performers in opera, theatre, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music, contemporary innovations, premieres and commissions
June
Momentum Festival (Biennial)
Brussels/Belgium
http://www.momentum-festival.org
Contact: +32 2 534 48 55
Focus: internationally renowned artists and young upcoming artists, visual arts performances
Festival Internacional de Londrina
Londrina/Brazil
http://www.filo.art.br
Contact: +55 43 3322 1787
Focus: national and international theatre companies, discussions, workshops, dance performances and concerts, large theater shows
International Theatre Festival Varna
Varna/Bulgaria
http://www.theatrefest-varna.org
Contact: +359 2 988 44 82 or +359 2 987 71 96, email: info@theatrefest-varna.org
Focus: local and international artistic events, dance workshops, exhibitions, Bulgarian “Show case,” emphasis on international dialogue and marketing
WorldPride Festival
Toronto/Canada
http://www.pridetoronto.com and http://buddiesinbadtimes.com
Contact: 416 927 7433, email: office@pridetoronto.com
Focus: international, national, and local artists, arts and cultural events, activism, conferences
Eurokaz Festival
Zagreb/Croatia
http://www.eurokaz.hr
Contact: +385 1 48 47 856
Focus: artists and companies from all over the world, new generation of artists experimenting with technology and science, visual arts, new media, dance and movement, post-mainstream and vertical multiculturalism, contemporary iconoclastic theatre and performing art, discussions, symposiums, screenings, workshops, concerts and exhibitions
Tallinn Treff Festival
Tallinn/Estonia
http://www.noorsooteater.ee
Contact: +372 66 79 550
Focus: all performing art forms, interdisciplinarity, dance, drama, puppet theatre performances and music concerts
Festival de Marseille
Marseille/France
http://www.festivaldemarseille.com
Contact: +33 4 91 99 00 20
Focus: (mainly on) dance and the performing arts
Le Printemps des Comédiens
Montpellier/France
http://www.printempsdescomediens.com
Contact: 04 67 63 66 67, email: printemps@printempsdescomediens.com
Focus: contemporary, avant-garde, and classic theatre, performing arts, plastic arts
Athens and Epidaurus Greek Festival
Athens/Greece
http://www.greekfestival.gr/gr
Contact: +30 210 92 82 000
Focus: domestic and foreign theatre companies, music, contemporary dance, experimental and mainstream productions, new works by young artists and/or ensembles, productions (local and international) of the Classics at the ancient site of Epidaurus
artFart
Reykjavik/Iceland
http://www.artfart.is
Contact: email: artfart@artfart.is
Focus: innovative approaches to contemporary performance, public space as a platform
Bali Arts Festival
Bali/Indonesia
http://www.baliartsfestival.com
Contact: +62 361 235600
Focus: performance works and handicraft exhibitions, traditional and new creations
International Theatre Festival Step by Step
Rezekne/Latvia
http://teatris.rezekne.net
Contact: +371 646 22066
Focus: national and European theatre groups, different genres and forms
Fundamental Monodrama Festival
Luxembourg
http://www.fundamental.lu/fr/asbl
Contact: +352 26 34 73 1, email: info@khn.lu
Focus: monodrama, theatre and drama, exhibitions and performances at the crossroads of visual arts, performing arts and literature
Holland Festival
Amsterdam/Netherlands
http://www.hollandfestival.nl/nl
Contact: +31 20 7882100
Focus: mix of performances and concerts from around the world, established names and new talents, innovation in art and exploration of new types of venues and forms of theatre
Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival
Porsgrunn/Norway
http://www.pit.no
Contact: +47 35 93 21 00
Focus: national and international theatre performances, street performances, seminars and workshops
Teatr Lalki i Aktora w Łomży
Łomża/Poland
http://www.teatrlomza.hi.pl
Contact: +48 86 216 59 55, email: teatrlomza@hi.pl
Focus: international and national participants, puppet and actor theatre, competitions, educational activities, children, youth, and adult audiences
Malta International Theatre Festival
Poznan/Poland
http://www.malta-festival.pl
Contact: +48 732 07 11 22
Focus: the urban space of Poznań, contemporary performing arts, workshops, discussions, and experiments, global scope
Sibiu International Theatre Festival
Sibiu/Romania
http://www.sibfest.ro/sibiu-international-theatre-festival.html
Contact: +40 269 210092
Focus: local and foreign performance artists, theatre, dance, and music, platform for non-formal education through performing arts
LUDI – International Theatre Festival of Chamber and Mono Performances
Orel/Russia
http://www.teatr.orel.ru
Contact: +7(4862)764698 or +7(4862)761212, email: elo@orel.ru or lama124@yandex.ru
Focus: various types of performing arts events, multidisciplinarity
Zürcher Festspiele
Zurich/ Switzerland
http://www.festspiele-zuerich.ch/de/festspiele-zuerich-2014
Contact: +41 44 412 35 51
Focus: international scope, kaleidoscope of the arts, cross-sectoral programme, collaboration, and projects, interdisciplinarity
London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT)
London/England/United Kingdom
https://www.liftfestival.com
Contact: +44 20 7093 6340
Focus: global scope, performances, talks, installations and events, encounters and exchanges among individuals, cultures and communities
Leapfest
Chicago/IL/Unites States of America
http://www.stagelefttheatre.com
Contact: +773 883 8830
Focus: development and production of new plays raising debate and challenging perspectives on political and social issues, political and social theatre
July
Festival Internacional de Teatro de São José do Rio Preto
São José do Rio Preto/Brazil
http://www.festivalriopreto.com.br
Contact: +55 17 3215 1770
Focus: theatrical productions aimed at adults, children, and adolescents, diversity, conventional stage, trials, performances, puppet shows and animate forms, touring productions, national and international shows
Festival Juste pour Rire
Montreal/Canada
http://www.hahaha.com/fr
Contact: +(514) 845-3155, email: info@hahaha.com
Focus: comedians from around the world, street theater, film comedy films, and TV shows, humorous flavor plays and improvisation events
The Toronto Fringe Festival
Toronto/Canada
http://fringetoronto.com
Contact: +(416) 966-1062, email: general@fringetoronto.com
Focus: artists from around the world, theatre, dance, visual art, buskers, site-specific performances
Dubrovnic Summer Festival
Dubrovnic/Croatia
http://www.dubrovnik-festival.hr/en
Contact: +385 (0) 20 326 100, email: info@dubrovnik-festival.hr
Focus: site-specific, tradition and modernity, local, national, and international creativity, exchange of ideas and new projects
International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama
Paphos, Nicosia, Limassol/Cyprus
http://www.greekdramafest.com
Contact: 7000 2414
Focus: international and local performances of ancient Greek drama based on the original text or adaptations, appropriations of the original
Festival International de Théâtre de Rue
Aurillac/France
http://www.aurillac.net
Contact: +33 (0) 4 71 43 43 70, email: festival@aurillac.net
Focus: European street art, blend of discovery and free expression of art and tribal music
Festival d’Avignon
Avignon/France
http://www.festival-avignon.com
Contact: +33 4 90 14 14 14
Focus: visual and performing arts, ensemble theatre work, exchanges and encounters, reinvented classic and modern texts
OFF Festival of Avignon
Avignon/France
http://www.avignonfestivaletcompagnies.com
Contact: +33 4 90 85 13 08
Focus: a more spontaneous theatrical space grown around the “In” Festival of Avignon, independent theatre companies, cultural richness and diversity, plural composition
Tollwood Sommerfestival
Munich/Germany
http://www.tollwood.de
Contact: +49 89 383 85 00
Focus: international works, concerts, performance works
Gyula Castle Theatre (Shakespeare Festival)
Gyula/Hungary
http://shakespearefesztival.hu/?lang=en
Contact: +36 66 463 148, email: gyulaivarszinhaz@t-online.hu
Focus: Shakespeare performances, works of most renowned directors, international participants
Thealter
Szeged/Hungary
http://www.thealter.hu/english/2015/welcome
Contact: +36 62 312 303, email: maszk@maszk.hu
Focus: independent art groups, innovative and non-mainstream theatre
Galway Arts Festival
Galway/Ireland
http://www.galwayartsfestival.com
Contact: +353 91 509700
Focus: national and international theatre and dance companies, performing arts, music, visual arts, discussions and a wide range of experiences from world-class theatre to impromptu musical performances
International Art Camp and Festival Tambo
Pemba/Mozambique
http://www.tambo.nl
Contact: +258 82 66 13 400
Focus: local and foreign artists, workshops of dance, music, theatre, design, traditional performing arts and new performance works, cultural diversity
Festival de Almada
Almada/Portugal
http://www.ctalmada.pt
Contact: +351 212 739 360
Focus: national and international theatre groups, dance performances, street theatre, exhibitions, discussions
National Arts Festival
Grahamstown/South Africa
https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/2015-festival
Contact: +27 (0) 46 603 1103, email: info@nationalartsfestival.co.za
Focus: international forum for new ideas and future trends, Main and Fringe programme, drama, dance, physical theatre, comedy, opera, music, jazz, visual art exhibitions, film, student theatre, street theatre, lectures, craft fair, workshops, tours, and a children’s arts festival.
International Classic Theatre Festival of Almagro
Madrid/Spain
http://www.festivaldealmagro.com
Contact: +34 915 210720
Focus: national and international participants, classical theatre, children’s theatre, street theatre, exhibitions, seminars and courses, meetings, concerts, workshops, a craft fair, gastronomic sessions, film seasons
Festival de Teatro Romano de Mérida
Mérida/Spain
http://www.festivaldemerida.es
Contact: +34 924 004 930
Focus: the great comedies, Greek and Roman tragedies, professional theater-actors, actresses, musicians, directors, writers, illuminators, national and international figurinistas
Ko Festival of Performance
Amherst/MA/Unites States of America
http://www.kofest.com
Contact: +413 427 6147
Focus: original works, collaborations and experiments, new creative relationships among the diverse community of innovative local, national and international artists, workshops
California International Theatre Festival
Calabasas/CA/Unites States of America
http://www.citfestival.org
Contact: +818 783 3576
Focus: international presentations, cultural understanding by means of community outreach, student training, and cultural exchange through the performing arts
International Hispanic Theatre Festival
Miami/FL/Unites States of America
http://www.teatroavante.com
Contact: +305 445 8877
Focus: theatre companies from Latin America, Europe and the United States, preservation of Hispanic theatre and culture
Contemporary American Theatre Festival
Shepherdstown/WV/United States of America
http://catf.org
Contact: +304 876-3473 or +800 999-2283, email: info@catf.org
Focus: innovation, interaction between audience and work, premieres and new plays by American playwrights
August
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Edmonton/Canada
https://www.fringetheatre.ca
Contact: 780 448 9000
Focus: local, national, and international performers, emphasis mainly (but not exclusively) on theatre
BuskerFest
Toronto/Canada
http://torontobuskerfest.com
Contact: email: info@torontobuskerfest.com
Focus: street performance work, fundraiser for Epilepsy Toronto
International Puppet Theatre Festival (PIF)
Zagreb/Croatia
http://public.carnet.hr/pif-festival
Contact: +385 1 66 01 626
Focus: national and international performers, adult and children plays, seminars, puppet exhibitions, and puppet shows
Helsinki Festival
Helsinki/Finland
http://www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi
Contact: +358 9 61 26 5100
Focus: multi-arts festival, theater, music, dance, art exhibitions, circus, movies, children’s programs
Tampere Theatre Festival
Tampere/Finland
http://www.teatterikesa.fi
Contact: +358 3 222 8536
Focus: national and international, professional and amateur theatres, dance theatre, street performances, club and restaurant shows, workshops, seminars, exhibitions and meetings
LÓKAL – International Theatre Festival
Reykjavík/Iceland
http://lokal.is
Contact: +354 895 6871, email: lokal@lokal.is
Focus: cutting-edge drama, local performance practitioners and artists/presenters from abroad, storytelling and the use of both out-of-date and state-of-the-art technology
Kilkenny Arts Festival
Kilkenny/Ireland
http://www.kilkennyarts.ie
Contact: +353 56 775 2175
Focus: new works from Ireland and abroad, theatre and dance, (classical) music, street art, literature, visual arts and craft
Seoul Fringe Festival
Seoul/South Korea
http://www.seoulfringe.net
Contact: +82 2 325 8150
Focus: national and international participants, traditional and contemporary performing arts, alternative art and culture, ecology and eco-friendliness
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh/Scotland/United Kingdom
http://www.eif.co.uk
Contact: +44 131 473 2000
Focus: national and international performers of music (especially classical music), theatre, opera and dance, visual art exhibitions, talks and workshops
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Edinburgh/Scotland/United Kingdom
http://www.edfringe.com
Contact: +44 131 226 00 26
Focus: un-juried performing arts event, cabaret, children’s shows, comedy, dance, physical theatre and circus, events, exhibitions, music, musicals and opera, domestic and foreign, experimental and less-experimental works
Boulder International Fringe Festival
Boulder/ CO/Unites States of America
http://www.boulderfringe.org
Contact: +720 563 9950
Focus: un-juried arts event featuring local and international artists, live theatre, dance, music, media art, cinema, circus art, visual art, spoken word, puppetry, workshops, special events and parties, community engagement
Icicle Creek Theatre Festival
Leavenworth and Seattle/WA/Unites States of America
http://www.iciclecreekact.com
Contact: +877 576 6010
Focus: development of new plays by emerging playwrights in collaboration with professional actors and directors, presentation of new plays
The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC)
New York City/NY/Unites States of America
http://www.fringenyc.org
Contact: +212 279 4488, email: webmaster@fringenyc.org
Focus: multi-arts festival, national and international theatre companies, educational, free outdoor
September
Festival Internacional De Buenos Aires (Fiba) (Bieenial)
Buenos Aires/Argentina
http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/fiba
Contact: 00 54 11 43934673
Focus: performing arts, music, and visual arts, shows, activities, and meetings, national and international works
Brisbane Festival
South Brisbane/Australia
http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Contact: +61 7 3833 5400
Focus: classical and contemporary music, theatre, dance, comedy, opera, circus, local, national and international acts, strong community involvement
Festival Internacional de Teatro de Bonecos
Belo Horizonte/Brazil
http://www.festivaldebonecos.com.br
Contact: +55 31 3411 2103
Focus: national and international companies, puppet theatre, global trends of animation theatre, children’s audiences, young and adult
Vancouver Fringe Festival
Vancouver/Canada
http://www.vancouverfringe.com
Contact: +604 257 0350
Focus: alternative theatre festival, “bring your own venue” philosophy
Festival Mindelact
Ilha de S. Vicente/Cape Verde
http://mindelact.org/?page_id=225
Contact: +238 232 41 11
Focus: national and international participants, theater, music concerts, design exhibitions, and visual arts, Theatreland “Festival off” alternative aiming at children
Mezinarodni Festival Divadlo Theatre
Pilsen/Czech Republic
http://www.festivaltheatre.cz http://www.festivaldivadlo.cz
Contact: +420 377 227 548, email: festival@divadlo.cz
Focus: national and international (especially European) productions of drama, music, dance, puppet and street theatre, modern trends of European and world theatre, international collaboration
Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET)
Cairo/Egypt
http://www.cdf-eg.org
Contact: +20 2 7364532
Focus: Arab and non-Arab experimental theatre
Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes
Charleville-Mézières/France
http://www.festival-marionnette.com
Contact: (+33) (0)3 24 59 94 94, email: festival@marionnette.com
Focus: puppet theatre, creation and research, indoor and outdoor events
Festival International des Francophonies en Limousin
Limousine (Limoges – Haute-Vienne)/France
http://www.lesfrancophonies.fr
Contact: +33 (0)5 55 10 90 10, email: accueil@lesfrancophonies.com
Focus: contemporary theatre, music, dance, meetings with authors, interdisciplinarity
Festival d’Automne
Paris/ France
http://www.festival-automne.com
Contact: 01 53 45 17 00
Focus: visual arts, theatre, dance, music, cinema, theatre artists’ special portraits
Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre
Tbilisi/Georgia
http://www.tbilisiinternational.com/en
Contact: +995 32 295 35 82
Focus: international cultural events, global dramatic and performing arts, cultural cooperation and exchanges
Dimitria Festival
Thessaloniki/Greece
http://dimitria.thessaloniki.gr/mainpage
Contact: +30 2313 318224
Focus: international and Greek participants, innovative artistic proposals, various artistic genres, music, drama and performance, dance, visual arts, masterclasses and workshops, cinema, pluralism
International Street Theatre Festival
Athens/Greece
http://www.istfest.gr/en
Contact: +30 210 98 55 699, email: info@istfest.gr
Focus: street theatre artists from around the world
Tehran International Puppet Theatre Festival
Tehran/Iran
http://www.tehranmobarak.com/en
Contact: +98(21)66406465, email: info@tehranmobarak.com
Focus: local and international puppet theatre artists, performers, and researchers, amateurs and professionals
Dublin Theatre Festival
Dublin/Ireland
https://www.dublintheatrefestival.com
Contact: + 353 (0) 1 677 8899 or + 353 (0) 1 677 8439, email: info@dublintheatrefestival.com
Focus: international and Irish theatre, Irish writing on the world stage, foreign artists
Roma/Europa Festival
Rome/Italy
http://romaeuropa.net/festival
Contact: +39 06 45553000, email: romaeuropa@romaeuropa.net
Focus: international and local networks, Italian and European performing arts, theatre, visual arts, digital media, dance, and contemporary music
Sirenos Festival
Vilnius/Lithuania
http://www.sirenos.lt
Contact: +37061497424, email: sirenos@sirenos.lt
Focus: European theatre artists, recent developments in Lithuanian and European theatre
Belgrade International Theatre Festival (Bitef Teatar/Bitef Festival)
Belgrade/Serbia
http://www.bitef.rs
Contact: +381 11 32 43 108, email: bitef@bitef.rs
Focus: latest theatre trends, events in global theatre, avant-garde explorations, experimental forms and significant classic achievements
International Theatre Festival Divadelná Nitra
Nitra/Slovakia
http://www.nitrafest.sk/home/news
Contact: +421 37 652 4 870 or +421 903 55 44 75, email: nitrafest@nitrafest.sk
Focus: national and international events, drama/play, dance, music, puppet theatre, and the visual theatre, non-traditional, innovative scenic theatre, new tendencies, representation of regional cultural activities
Chuncheon International Theatre Festival
Chuncheon-si/South Korea
http://www.citf.or.kr
Contact: +82 033 241 4345
Focus: domestic and global performance works, various performing arts, performance-on-demand
FiraTàrrega Teatre al Carrer
Tàrrega/Catalonia/Spain
http://www.firatarrega.cat/en_index
Contact: +34 973 310 854, email: info@firatarrega.com
Focus: street arts and non-conventional venues, different stage disciplines, up-and-coming talents, national and international creative avant-gardes
Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts
Kampala/Uganda
http://www.bayimba.org
Contact: +256 414 591 670
Focus: music, dance, theatre, film, and visual arts, renowned and upcoming local and foreign artists
San Francisco Fringe Festival
San Francisco/CA/Unites States of America
http://www.sffringe.org
Contact: +415 931 1094
Focus: local and foreign performers, non-censored and non-curated small theater festival
October
Festival Internacional De Teatro Mercosur
Córdoba/Argentina
http://prensa.cba.gov.ar
Contact: 00 54 (0) 351 4331668/69
Focus: contemporary theatre, local and international participants, indoor and outdoor events
Wuzhen International Theatre Festival
Wuzhen/China
WEB www.wuzhenfestival.com
TEL：+86-573-88732588
FAX：+86-573-88732688
EML: contact@wuzhenfestival.com
Focus: leading Chinese and international productions, classical and cutting-edge. Young playwrights’ competition, outdoor carnival, master classes, public talks. Civic and cultural development.
HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival
Yerevan/Armenia
http://www.highfest.am
Contact: +374 10 53 62 33, email: info@highfest.am
Focus: international and national performing arts companies and artists, theatre, dance, music, and other forms of performing arts
Melbourne International Festival
Melbourne/Australia
https://www.melbournefestival.com.au
Contact: +61 3 9662 4242
Focus: international and national events, dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events
Mess Sarajevo Festival
Sarajevo—Zenica, Goražde, Visoko/Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://www.mess.ba
Contact: 387 33 200 392, email: info@mess.ba
Focus: theatrical plays of local, European, and world production, small and experimental theatre work and events
CAFe Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival
Budapest/Hungary
http://www.cafebudapestfest.hu/photos
Contact: +36 1 555 3000 or +36 1 486 3311, email: info@cafebudapestfest.hu
Focus: classical and pop music, jazz and dance, contemporary music and opera, theatre and contemporary circus, literature, visual art and design exhibits
Demoludy
Olsztyn/Poland
http://www.demoludy.art.pl
Contact: +48 89/ 527 59 59, email: promocja@teatr.olsztyn.pl
Focus: intercultural dialogue, past heritage, Eastern European countries
Dialog Festival
Wrocław/Poland
http://dialogfestival.pl
Contact: +48 71 777 87 43, email: office@dialogfestival.pl
Focus: contemporary dramatic plays, intercultural dialogue, the idea of tolerance, performances and discussions
National Theatre Festival / FNT
Bucharest/Romania
www.fnt.ro
Contact: + 40 21 315 36 36, email: office@uniter.ro
Focus: national and international theatrical performances
Festival Maribor
Maribor/Slovenia
http://www.borstnikovo.si/en
Contact: +386 2 250 62 27 or +386 2 250 61 00, email: borstnikovo@sng-mb.si
Focus: national and international theatre, state/institutional and independent theatre productions
Seoul Performing Arts Festival
Seoul/South Korea
http://www.spaf.or.kr
Contact: +82 2 3668 0101 or +82 2 3668 0102, email: spaf@spaf.or.kr
Focus: national and international theatre companies, theatre, dance, and experimental, multidisciplinary performance
Musical Society of Nigeria, MUSON Festival
MUSON Centre 8/9 Marina, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria
http://www.muson.org
Contact: +23481588886141/ +23470188869125, email: admin@muson.org
Calendar: Every third week of October annually
Focus: Opera & Musical Concerts (Nigerian and International)
Belfast Festival at Queen’s
City of Belfast/Northern Ireland/United Kingdom
http://www.belfastfestival.com
Contact: email: belfastfestival@qub.ac.uk
Focus: local and international artists, theatre, dance, classical, folk, and popular music, literature, jazz, comedy, visual arts
November
Festival de Teatro do Recife
Recife/Brazil
http://www2.uol.com.br/JC/teatro
Contact: 3355-3119 or 9669-3193, email: 16frtn.formacao@gmail.com
Focus: local and international theatre productions, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions
Les Coups de Théâtre – Festival International des Arts Jeune Public
Montreal/Canada
http://www.coupsdetheatre.com/site
Contact: +(514) 499-2929, email: coups@coupsdetheatre.com
Focus: theatre creators from the national and international scene
Contemporary Drama Festival (Biennial)
Budapest/Hungary
http://www.dramafestival.hu/index.php?searchenginerUrl=home_1&language=hu
Contact: +36 1 7862933, email: office.dramafestival@gmail.com
Focus: Hungarian and foreign dramatic works, European theatre, workshops and seminars
Festival Tokyo (f/t)
Tokyo/Japan
http://www.festival-tokyo.jp
Contact: +81(3)5961-5209
Focus: stage performances by contemporary theatre artists from around the world, film screenings, dance, art, music, talks, symposium
One-Actor Theatre Performances
Wroclaw/Poland
http://www.wrostja.art.pl
Contact: +48 607 717 225
Focus: one-person shows-monodramas, Polish plays, discussion groups and meetings
International Festival of Classical Theatre
Arad/Romania
www.fitca.ro
Contact: +40 257 280 016, email: secretariat@teatrulclasic.ro
Focus: domestic and foreign productions of classical plays, conferences, book launches, exhibitions
INTERFERENCES International Theatre Festival
Cluj/Romania
www.interferences-huntheater.ro
Contact: +40 264 593 468, email: office@huntheater.ro
Focus: topical editions, theatrical and dance performances, exhibitions, concerts, book-launches, after-show talks
European Theatre Festival EUROTHALIA
Timişoara/Romania
www.eurothalia.ro
Contact: +40 256 201 291, email: secretariat@dstt.ro
Focus: trends and currents in European theatre, classical theatre, contemporary drama, contemporary dance
Festival Ljubljana
Ljubljana/Slovenia
http://www.ljubljanafestival.si
Contact: +386 (0) 1 241 60 00
Focus: domestic and foreign participants, music, opera, classical and contemporary ballet, musical, theatre and visual arts
New Orleans Fringe Festival
New Orleans/LA/Unites States of America
http://www.nofringe.org
Contact: email: kristen@nofringe.org
Focus: new works of emerging playwrights, drama, comedy, dance, improvisational, pantomime, musical theater, puppetry, storytelling, and other performing arts forms
December
SKENA UP International Students Film and Theatre Festival
Pristina/Kosovo
http://www.skenaup.com
Contact: +386 49 225 100, email: info@skenaup.com
Focus: film and theatre students across the Balkans, internationally renowned directors, producers, writers and actors
Trado-Modern Cultural Festival/ Carnival – Calabar Festival and Christmas Carnival
Old Calabar Road – Calabar/Cross River State/Nigeria
Contact: +234-703-136-2429, email: info@carnivalcalabar.com
Focus: musical theatre, folk performances
Trado-Modern Cultural Festival/ Carnival – CarniRiv Festival
Port Harcourt/Rivers State/Nigeria
http://www.carnirivnigeria.com
Contact: (+234) 8122324239, email: info@carnirivnigeria.com
Focus: musical theatre, folk performances
Throughout the Year
Thespian Family Theatre
10, Tahiru Olubani Street, Off Kudirat Abiola Road, Oregun, Lagos
Lagos State, Nigeria
Website: www.thespianfamilytheatre.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/thespianfamily
Facebook: www.fb.com/thespianfamily
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ThespianFamily
Contact: +234 704 638 0179, +234 818 335 5170, email: thespian_family_theatre@yahoo.com
Calendar: Monthly performances all year round
Focus: mostly plays by contemporary Nigerian and African Playwrights
[1] Katerina Delikonstantinidou is a PhD student in the School of English at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She is assistant editor of the academic journal Gramma/Γράμμα: Journal of Theory and Criticism. Her research interests include Theatre and Performing Arts, Ancient myth and religion, Greek Tragedy, and Ethnic Studies.
