Call for applications – STAND UP ROMA
Open call by Independent Theatre Hungary and Trafó for Roma and interethnic artists or artist groups to support the creation of new performing arts productions, with a focus on stand-up (self-representation and humor), for Roma and interethnic creators or creative teams living in Hungary.
The aim of the competition, launched for the first time in 2025, is to provide a space for Roma self-representation in the performing arts and to give special support to young professional artists. This year’s call focuses specifically on the stand-up genre: small-scale productions that explore the relationship between self-representation and humour.
Eligible applicants
Artists, performing arts groups or project-based collectives in which an artist with Roma ancestry is in a decision-making position. We particularly welcome applications from early-career artists or groups who have already created at least one reference production but have less than 5 independent works. One application per applicant is allowed.
Focus
The competition is open to project proposals that incorporate a Roma perspective, storytelling from a Roma point of view, and address the issue of Roma self-representation from different perspectives. We see stand-up as a genre that challenges prevailing stereotypes with humour, satire and (self-)irony, while reflecting on current social processes in a sensitive but outspoken way. Stand-up is offered as a form that can be freely filled, shaped or reinterpreted by the applicant. In terms of genre, we welcome project proposals from the fields of contemporary theatre and performance, including post-dramatic, music and movement-based productions. We are equally keen to support work that addresses socially relevant issues and productions that experiment with new formal language and innovative artistic approaches, from documentary theatre to experimental performance and interactive, game-based approaches. It is offered as an inspiration for review:
https://romaheroes.org/, https://dossziek.szinhaz.net/4.
Evaluation criteria
- Social relevance: the applicant addresses issues that are relevant to Roma and non-Roma audiences, critically examines the issue of social responsibility and encourages inclusion (0-3 points)
- Composition of the creative team and professional references: the professional references and ethnic diversity of the creative team involved in the creation of the project (0-3 points)
- Artistic quality: quality of the artistic concept, in particular the choice of subject (0-3 points); the creative approach and the way it is presented (0-3 points); the quality of the artistic work to date (0-3 points).
- Feasibility: realistic, feasible timetable for implementation (0-3 points)
- Financial planning: realistic and cost-effective budget (0-3 points)
- Sustainability: the production is easily sustainable, easily transportable (limited number of performers, equipment, sets, size, transport in a car if possible) (0-3 points)
- Innovation: innovative character of the production – in terms of form, theme, approach, processing (0-3 points)
- Contribution (including voluntary work) or other financial support in kind (0-3 points)
Application deadline: 31 July 2025.
Applications can only be submitted ONLINE by filling in the APPLICATION FORM.
The application includes:
- a list and introduction of the applicant, company, collective and other contributors (max. 3.000 characters)
- a description of the proposed project and the applicant’s motivation (max 7.000 characters)
- a short synopsis of the new work, either in writing or in the form of a teaser video (max. 10,000 characters / 5 minutes)
- the formal language of the production (1), main aspects and means of realisation of the planned production, (2) innovative aspects (max. 1.500-1.500 characters)
- technical and scenic parameters of the project (max. 3.500 characters)
- the project’s (1) creation and (2) distribution budget
- photographic and video documentation of the applicant’s reference works (with links) or written material (e.g. a text in the case of a play)
Grant amount and expected number of applications:
The total grant amount is HUF 3.000.000 (net) for the creation of new production(s), which will be paid by Trafó House of Contemporary Arts to the winning applicants against invoice. In all cases, the applicant must be accounted for or must cooperate with a financial intermediary in connection with the creation of the production. The maximum amount that can be applied for for the creation and the presentation (premiere + one additional performance) is HUF 1.500.000 net. The expected number of successful applicants: 2-3.
The Independent Theatre of Hungary will support the further performance and distribution of the production(s) with additional contributions in kind and in cash, up to a total of HUF 2.000.000 (gross). The amount for the further performance will be decided by the jury and the organizers in the case of several successful applications, in the light of the budgets. We believe it is important to support not only the creation but also the replication of the work, as we are convinced that this will contribute greatly to the development, professionalism and sustainability of the work produced in the long term. Furthermore, we hope that productions supported by the competition will reach a wider audience outside Budapest. Applicants are not required to provide any financial support, but will have an advantage in the evaluation process.
The Independent Theatre of Hungary and Trafó reserve the right not to exhaust the available budget of, unless the quality of the applications received or the budget of
justifies this.
The application budget submitted must include all the costs of creating and reproducing the production (fees, equipment costs, rent, royalties, transport and other costs), except for the costs of activities provided by the promoters, such as promotion, technical support, administration and financial activities.
For more information on the proposed remuneration of creators and contributors, see the budget sample.
Support in kind:
The venue for the presentations and replays is Trafóklub, Füszi.
Preview: prior to the show, Trafó will provide a minimum of 4 days of dry runs and 4 days of technical runs in the Trafóklub space (1094 Budapest, Liliom
street 41). Additional presentation and rehearsal possibilities at Füszi tér (1094 Budapest, Páva utca 30.): min. 5
performances per supported production as a rehearsal, related administration,
rehearsal room 10 times per supported production (subject to availability), and
professional and operational consultation with the staff of the Independent Theatre.
Technical support: the production will be preceded by a technical consultation with the Trafó staff
and the Trafóklub technician, who will support the production as a light and sound technician during the rehearsal days at Trafó. Technical parameters of the Trafóklub.
Evaluation of the application
Applications that meet the formal criteria will be evaluated by a four-member professional committee: two from Independent Theatre Hungary, one from Trafó KMH and one invited expert. Representatives of the two organisations will not receive separate awards. The list of the jury will be made public after the decision on the call for proposals. All applicants will be informed of the decision. The selected applicants will be individually consulted and will receive a draft contract. The technical and financial deliverables related to the implementation of the project will be made after written notification and signature of the contract by the parties.
Consultation
The promoters will provide consultancy support on request to help you write your application.
Consultation can be done in person, online or in writing. Consultation requests can be sent to
and sent to balogh.rodrigo@gmail.com until 20.07.2025.
For more information or questions about the competition, please contact: program@trafo.hu
Conflict of interest
Persons who are members of the management or decision-making bodies of one of the applicant organisations or permanent employees of one of these organisations are not eligible to apply.
Timeline – application phase
Call for proposals published: 2025. 10 June.
Deadline for submission of applications: 2025. 31 July (midnight)
Applications can only be submitted via the online application form!
Expected date for the evaluation of applications and notification of applicants: 2025. 15. August
Timeline – creation and presentation
2025. 1 September – 31 December – preparation and creation
12-14 December 2025 – premiere of the production at Füszi and/or Trafóklub (public or private according to on request)
2026. 1 January – 15 February – premiere of the production and one/two additional performances at Trafóklub.
May 2026 – re-enactment in the framework of the VIII Roma Heroes International Roma Theatre Festival,
if it can be included in the Festival programme.
The awarding bodies will consult the winning artists throughout the process of creating the production and may make suggestions while respecting their artistic freedom
Sponsors
Trafó supports the creation of the winning production(s) in the framework of the STAGES (Sustainable Theatre Alliance for a Green Environmental Shift) project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
The distribution and re-production is part of the Independent Theatre’s Stand Up Roma initiative, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
The Independent Theatre Hungary and the Trafó team wish you a successful application.
Budapest, 10 June 2025.
APPLICATION FORM OVERVIEW
Applications can only be submitted ONLINE by filling in the APPLICATION FORM.
The questions in the online questionnaire are listed below.
Independent Theatre Hungary and Trafó House of Contemporary Arts invite applications for the creation of new
performing arts productions.
Name of applicant:
E-mail address of applicant:
Phone number of applicant:
Working title of the planned production:
A brief description of the applicant, company or collective and the intended creative team (name, role in the
production, previous references), with particular reference to the following: the creative team
includes a creative person(s) with Roma ancestry in a decision-making position – maximum 3,000 characters
Description of the planned project (description of the social issue addressed, motivation of the creators/initiators, what outcome or impact the applicant would be satisfied with),
motivation of the applicant – maximum 7.000 characters
A synopsis or teaser video of the production – maximum 10,000 characters / 5 minutes
The language, main aspects and tools of the production – maximum 1,500 characters
What makes this production innovative and novel – up to 1,500 characters
The technical parameters of the production (light, sound, video), scenic and infrastructural
needs – maximum 3.500 characters
A description of the reference works of the applicants, links to their images, audio and video material, and in the case of a play, a text excerpt available online (Google-Drive, Youtube, Vimeo, etc.) – maximum 5 reference works per applicant.
Company details of the applicant or the financial intermediary:
Company name of the applicant / Financial intermediary:
Tax number of the applicant / Financial intermediary:
Company registration number of the applicant / Financial intermediary or sole trader number:
Bank account number of the applicant / Financial intermediary:
Timetable for implementation
Earliest start date: 1 September 2025.
Latest closing date: 15 February 2026.
Total budget for the creation of a production
Download a budget template to create a budget
New rows can be added to the table as required.
*VAT exempt applicants should use net amounts, VAT exempt applicants should use gross amounts.
Reproduction budget per performance
Proposed remuneration for the production’s contributors (creators, performers, additional staff): gross
35.000 HUF/performance/person.
The rental of the venue does not need to be included, but the cost of travel and transport only if it is not possible to transport the cast, equipment and sets in a car.
Download budget sample for replay
New rows can be added to the table as required.
*VAT exempt applicants should use net amounts, VAT exempt applicants should use gross amounts.
Link(s) to other documents supporting the work of the evaluators:
Please provide links to the reference works (images, audio, video,
text) of the applicant(s) available online.
APPLICATION FOR ACCESS TO AND PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA
Pursuant to Article 5 (1) a) of Act CXII of 2011 on the Right of Informational Self-Determination and Freedom of Information
, I hereby declare that in connection with the STAND UP ROMA
open call for applications announced by the
Independent Theatre
Hungary and the Trafó House of Contemporary Arts, I give my consent to the
access and processing of my personal data by the participants in the selection process
Purpose and conditions of processing: to obtain and use
for these purposes the information necessary for the processing of applications
received during the selection process, for checking compliance with the conditions of the application, for the evaluation of applications
and for the notification of the results.
Access to the data: during the period of data processing, the data may only be accessed by the staff of
, the controller of the Women for the Future Association, involved in the selection process
, and will not be disclosed to third parties.
Duration of data processing: the data will be stored until the end of the programme “Open Call for Proposals for the Independent Theatre of Hungary and Trafó
House of Contemporary Arts to support the creation of a new performing arts production
”, but no later than 31 December 2026, after which the personal data
will be deleted and the responses will be anonymised and archived. Further use of the
data will require a new consent form.
The data controller and the data processors commissioned by it shall act in accordance with the data protection provisions in force at
any time, in particular the provisions of Act CXII of 2011 on the right to informational self-determination and freedom of information
Send information about further applications, training opportunities
□ I agree that the Independent Theatre of Hungary, on behalf of the Women for the Future
Association and the Trafó House of Contemporary Arts Nonprofit Ltd., may store and use my personal
data (name, email address) solely for the purpose of sending me an email about further
application opportunities.
Date: …………………………………………
Name / Signature: ………………………………………………
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
I declare that I am not a member of the decision-making
body or management or a permanent employee of any of the applying organisations (Trafó House of Contemporary Arts or Women for the Future Association representing the Independent
Theatre of Hungary).
Date: …………………………………………
Name / Signature: ………………………………………………
