CIS News

The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, thanks to the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, launches the 12th edition of the 9G program at NTB (New Generation). The 9G program was launched in January 2014 and is aimed at young theatre-makers, graduates of theatre faculties, aged up to 35, not employed in performing arts institutions. So far 42 projects have been selected, 24 of which are performances included in the NTB repertoire. The 9G program at NTB takes place in the Sala Mica Hall, a space dedicated exclusively to young artists. Conditions for participation in the 9G Program at NTB:- The team proposing the project must be made up of independent artists who have graduated from a university in this field and must not be over 35 years old, or students in their final year of bachelor's or master's degree programs in relevant fields.- There are no requirements or restrictions in relation to the texts submitted (classical and contemporary drama) or the type of aesthetic proposed, but the concept of a performance that focuses on the actor's art is an advantage. It is also recommended that the proposed texts have characters that correspond to the age and experience of the actors. The proposals must be submitted in digital format and must include:- Directorial concept of the performance (maximum 2 pages)- Play / Dramatization / Dramatic script in Romanian- Cast, CVs of team members. (Links can be added to recordings of performances that team members have worked on before or recorded performances can be sent via transfer)- Set and costumes sketches (for the Small Hall in Italian stage configuration - sketches attached)- Technical needs of the project 9G at the NTB. Organization:- The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest provides the space for the preparation of the performance, in the Sala Mica Hall or in one of the rehearsal rooms of the theater, for a period of four weeks (one week of which on the stage of the Sala Mica Hall). Depending on the difficulty of the proposed project, the time allocated for the preparation of the performance may be extended.- The NTB provides the technical facilities of the Sala Mica Hall, the costume warehouse, the scenery warehouse, the props, the theater workshops, without making any additional investment related to the production of the performance.- Following a viewing, the performance may be included in the repertoire of the “Sala Mica″ Hall, in the 9G season at NTB, benefiting from investments in production (in accordance with 9G Regulations) and the payment of copyright fees. Actors will be paid a percentage of the proceeds, in accordance with the performance's box office receipts.- Performances that are not part of the 9G repertoire at the NTB can have 3 free performances, with free admission, without payment of royalties or related rights. Project submissions are due from January 15, 2026, through February 15, 2026, in digital format at ccct9gtnb@gmail.com, and by February 25, 2025, the titles and teams that made the final shortlist will be announced. Following discussions with the teams, the titles selected to begin rehearsals in the 9G Program will be decided (as per the attached rules). Important: Starting with this edition, the amount allocated exclusively for the production of projects to be included in the ″Sala Mica“ Hall's repertoire is 20,000 lei. Sala Mica - Schemă de lumini Sala Mica - sectiune (1) Sala Mică - schema  

The selection team consisting of Cristiana Gavrila (coordinator of the 9G Program at NTB), Claudiu Goga (coordinator of C.C.C.T. “Ion Sava”), Andrei Marinescu (head of the Literary Secretariat), and Ioana Axenoi-Panescu (artistic consultant) selected, as part of the 9G Program at NTB (12th edition), the project Children's Games and Open Wounds by Rajiv Joseph, translated by Mircea Sorin Rusu, directed by Mihai Baltescu, set design by Delia Ghizdavet, with Georgiana Titoiu and Razvan Ionescu. Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The selection team consisting of Cristiana Gavrila (coordinator of the 9G Program at NTB), Claudiu Goga (coordinator of C.C.C.T. “Ion Sava”), Andrei Marinescu (head of the Literary Secretariat), and Ioana Axenoi-Panescu (artistic consultant) nominated two projects for the second stage of selection. Following specific discussions with the two artistic teams, which will take place in the coming days, the winning projects will be decided. Nominated projects and teams: 1. Children's Games and Open Wounds by Rajiv Joseph, translated by Mircea Sorin Rusu, directed by Mihai Baltescu, set design by Delia Ghizdavet, starring Georgiana Titoiu and Razvan Ionescu 2. Get treasure/ shoot/ repeat by Mark Ravenhill, directed by Medeea Elena Onea, set design by Ada-Maria Zaharia, starring Ilinca Ionescu, Maria Stefania Posiar, Ilinca Gheorghiu, Denisa Dumitru, Giulia Nagy, Radu Stefan Banica, Catalin Gheorghitoiu, Rares Hutanu, Vlad Alexandru Anton. Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, thanks to the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, launches the 10th edition of the 9G program at NTB (New Generation). The 9G program was launched in January 2014 and is aimed at young theatre-makers, graduates of theatre faculties, aged up to 35, not employed in performing arts institutions. So far 41 projects have been selected, 24 of which are performances included in the NTB repertoire. The 9G program at NTB takes place in the Small Hall, a space dedicated exclusively to young artists. Conditions for participation in the 9G Program at NTB: The team proposing the project must be made up of independent artists who have graduated from a university in this field and must not be over 35 years old. There are no requirements or restrictions in relation to the texts submitted (classical and contemporary drama) or the type of aesthetic proposed, but the concept of a performance that focuses on the actor's art is an advantage. It is also recommended that the proposed texts feature characters that correspond to the age and experience of the actors. The proposals must be submitted in digital format and must include:- Directorial concept of the performance (maximum 2 pages)- Play / Dramatization / Dramatic script in Romanian- Cast, CVs of team members. (Links can be added to recordings of performances that team members have worked on before or recorded performances can be sent via transfer)- Costumes and set sketches (for the Small Hall in Italian stage configuration - sketches attached)- Technical needs of the project 9G at the NTB. Organization: - The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest provides the space for the preparation of the performance, in the Sala Mica Hall or in one of the rehearsal rooms of the theater, for a period of four weeks (one week of which on the stage of the Sala Mica Hall). Depending on the difficulty of the proposed project, the time allocated for the preparation of the performance may be extended. - The NTB provides the technical facilities of the Sala Mica Hall, the costume warehouse, the scenery warehouse, the props, the theater workshops, without making any additional investment related to the production of the performance. - Following the screening with the NTB Artistic Council, the show can be included in the repertoire of the Sala Mica Hall, in the 9G season at the NTB, benefiting from investments in the production (according to the 9G Regulation) and royalties. The actors will be paid a percentage of the takings, according to the performance recipe. - Performances that are not part of the 9G repertoire at the TNB can have 3 free performances, with free admission, without payment of royalties or related rights. Projects can be submitted from October 14, 2025, until November 26, 2025, in digital format to the email address ccct9gtnb@gmail.com. The titles and teams that have made it to the final list will be announced by December 9. Following discussions with the teams, the titles selected to begin rehearsals in the 9G Program will be decided (as per the attached rules). Important: 9G rules and technical drawings of the Sala Mica Hall are available on www.tnb.ro.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre in Bucharest announces a new premiere within the 9G Program at NTB, dedicated to young independent artists: Contractions by Mike Bartlett, directed by Alexandru Andrei, scenography by Ruxandra Preda, with Elisa Pirvan and Ioana Tanasa in the cast. The premiere will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, 19.00, at the Sala Mica Hall. Mike Bartlett is one of the promoters of the ‘golden generation’ of British drama of the last twenty years. A playwright and screenwriter for film and television, Bartlett was nominated for BAFTA awards for the TV series The Town and Doctor Foster and is known for plays such as Cock (Olivier Award in 2009), Medea, Bull, An Intervention and King Charles III (adapted for the BBC in 2017) and Contractions (nominated for TMA Best New Play in 2008), many of which have been performed in Romania. Bartlett's texts stand out for their raw, incisive realism in exploring personal and workplace relationships in contemporary society - illustrated in CONTRACTIONS, which explores the intrusion of large corporations into the private lives of employees. Built in two characters, the play starts from a seemingly banal situation - a discussion between a high-performing employee in the company and her overbearing boss - which gradually turns into a suspenseful questioning. A contract clause is revealed with potentially devastating effects on the employee's private life. What would happen if our personal lives were conditioned and put under strict supervision by the management of the company we work for? The performance of the young creative team of the 9G program at the TNB suggests a lesson in which the risk of employee brutalization in the corporate world does not seem at all remote. The performance is not recommended for children under 14. Produced by the Center for Theatrical Creation and Research “Ion Sava”, within the 9G Program at NTB.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The dramaturgy workshop coordinated by Mimi Branescu at the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre concludes with a series of readings to which we invite you between June 3 and June 7, 2025, at the Media Hall of the NTB. You will have the opportunity to meet 15 young authors making their debut. Admission is free subject to availability. Schedule of the performances: June 3rd12:00 - Alexandra Stroe – “The play that was never written” (Rules don't apply to me)14:00 – Laura Hora – “Right up to the end”16:00 – Ana Maria Carablais – “The Law of Ohm”  June 4rd12:00 – Maria Acsani - “So, how's work?”14:00 – Ana Dumitrascu – “Nutcracker”16:00 – George Rotaru –“The egg cracks at its head”  June 5th12:00 – Claudia Soare – “With the jack on”14:00 - Alexandra Sfirlogea –“What Am I Doing Here?”16:00 – Valentina Moghină – “Daddy's not gonna come”  June 6th12:00 - Gabriela Amarie – “As much as we can”14:00 – Geo Vișan – “Not me!”16:00 – Pamela Iobaji – “The courage to (not) have courage” June 7th12:00 – Francesca Fulop – “Core”14:00 – Antonia Scutaru – “The Dowry.”16:00 – Vlad Brumaru - “Collapse” Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The selection team made up of Marius Bodochi ( artistic director of NTB), Victor Ioan Frunza (director), Cristiana Gavrila (coordinator of the 9G Program at NTB) and Claudiu Goga (director) selected the project YEN within the 9G Program at the TNB (11th edition). YEN by Anna Jordan Translation by: Bogdan Drumea Directed by: Ciprian Chiricheș Set design: Maria Constantin Cast:  Mario Montescu, Alexandru Stan, Teodora Antal, Diana Pomparau   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, thanks to the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, launches the 11th edition of the 9G program at NTB (New Generation). The 9G program was launched in January 2014 and is aimed at young theatre-makers, graduates of theatre faculties, aged up to 35, not employed in performing arts institutions. So far 40 projects have been selected, 24 of which are performances included in the NTB repertoire. The 9G program at NTB takes place in the Sala Mica Hall, a space dedicated exclusively to young artists. Conditions for participation in the 9G Program at NTB:- The team proposing the project must be made up of independent artists who have graduated from a university in this field and must not be over 35 years old.- There are no requirements or restrictions in relation to the texts submitted (classical and contemporary drama) or the type of aesthetic proposed, but the concept of a performance that focuses on the actor's art is an advantage. It is also recommended that the proposed texts have characters that correspond to the age and experience of the actors. The proposals must be submitted in digital format and must include:- Directorial concept of the performance (maximum 2 pages)- Play / Dramatization / Dramatic script in Romanian- Cast, CVs of team members. (Links can be added to recordings of performances that team members have worked on before or recorded performances can be sent via transfer)- Set and costumes sketches (for the Small Hall in Italian stage configuration - sketches attached)- Technical needs of the project 9G at the NTB. Organization:- The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest provides the space for the preparation of the performance, in the Sala Mica Hall or in one of the rehearsal rooms of the theater, for a period of four weeks (one week of which on the stage of the Sala Mica Hall). Depending on the difficulty of the proposed project, the time allocated for the preparation of the performance may be extended.- The NTB provides the technical facilities of the Sala Mica Hall, the costume warehouse, the scenery warehouse, the props, the theater workshops, without making any additional investment related to the production of the show.- Following the screening with the NTB Artistic Council, the show can be included in the repertoire of the Sala Mica Hall, in the 9G season at the NTB, benefiting from investments in the production (according to the 9G Regulation) and royalties. The actors will be paid a percentage of the takings, according to the performance recipe- Performances that are not part of the 9G repertoire at the TNB can have 3 free performances, with free admission, without payment of royalties or related rights. Project submissions are due from January 14, 2025, through February 16, 2025, in digital format at ccct9gtnb@gmail.com, and by March 4, 2025, the titles and teams that made the final shortlist will be announced. Following discussions with the teams, the titles selected to begin rehearsals in the 9G Program will be decided (as per the attached rules). Project submissions are due from January 14, 2025, through February 16, 2025, in digital format at ccct9gtnb@gmail.com, and by March 4, 2025, the titles and teams remaining on the shortlist will be announced. Following discussions with the teams, the titles selected to begin rehearsals in the 9G Program will be decided (as per the attached rules). Important: 9G rules and technical drawings of the Sala Mica Hall are available on www.tnb.ro.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The "Camil Petrescu" Cultural Foundation - FCCP is pleased to announce the publication of a new volume in the series Great Directors of the World: Backstage Ostermeier, translated by Ozana Oancea. The book represents the first collaboration of the Foundation with the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest, through the "Ion Sava" Center for Theatre Research and Creation, opening a series of fruitful projects. The volume brings to the foreground a captivating dialogue between Gerhard Jörder, renowned theater critic, and Thomas Ostermeier, one of the most influential and acclaimed European directors of the moment. Gerhard Jörder: While we're here, I'd ask a key question: where do you stand on irony? Thomas Ostermeier: I won't hide it: for me, this permanent ironic or cynical postmodern "it's working" is the disease of our times. Not just this "it's working", but that "everything is both true and false". I think it's odious to eliminate issues like guilt, responsibility, the ability of public debate, but also of theater, to determine the course of society. Backstage Ostermeier, p. 61 In Backstage Ostermeier the director recounts his path to theater, exploring both the successes and challenges of his career, from his beginnings at the Deutsches Theater to his achievements at the Schaubühne. The dialogue with Jörder offers an intimate look at his creative process as well as his theatrical philosophy, anchored in a commitment to the social and political relevance of contemporary theater. In the pages of the book, Ostermeier offers readers an intimate glimpse into how he succeeds in making theater a non-academic and profoundly human space of confrontation and social reflection. Gerhard Jörder (born 1943 in Pamplona, Spain) is a leading theater critic with an extensive career in cultural journalism and moderating international theater events. Thomas Ostermeier, often described as "the face of modern German theatre", has been artistic director of the Schaubühne Berlin since 1999, and his groundbreaking performances are recognized and invited to festivals around the world. From groundbreaking stagings of Ibsen and Shakespeare to intense interpretations by contemporary playwrights such as Lars Norén, Sarah Kane and Jon Fosse, Thomas Ostermeier's productions have conquered not only German audiences but also the international stage, with invitations to numerous festivals on all continents. The Great Directors of the World series, which includes this work, continues to explore essential directing poetics of the 20th and 21st centuries, bringing to the attention of readers such figures as E.G. Craig, Meyerhold, Kantor, Grotowski, Brook, Strehler, Wilson, Dodin, Warlikowski, Delbono, Olivier Py. Through these volumes, the Camil Petrescu Cultural Foundation wishes to contribute to the understanding and preservation of the international theatrical heritage, as well as to the promotion of dialog between generations of theater creators. The book will be released on October 20, 2024, during the National Theatre Festival (NTF), and the time will be announced in the official festival program, available online. The book Backstage Ostermeier can be purchased online at www.teatrul-azi.ro and in Carturesti bookstores.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

Drama research laboratory coordinated by director Alexandru Dabija From November 11 - 16, 2024, the "I.L Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest organizes, within the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, a Drama Research Laboratory supported by the director Alexandru Dabija The research theme is Monologue or Dialogue - Caragiale and social networks. The workshop is addressed to professional actresses and actors. The selection of participants shall be based on: - an interview with director Alexandru Dabija; - a 5-minute reading from the work of I.L. Caragiale (preferably a prose fragment). The choice of fragment is up to each candidate. Applications must be submitted by November 3 at 20:00 to centrulsavatnb@gmail.com. The date and time of the interview shall be communicated to candidates by email on November 4. A maximum of 10 actors / actresses can participate in the workshop. Selected participants will be notified on November 8, 2024. The Monologue or Dialogue - Caragiale and social networks Laboratory will take place at the National Theater. During this period, the participants will work 4 hours a day, following a program agreed between the director and the participants.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu