OPEN CALL
LETNÍ ŠKOLA
13.–24.08.2025
We are pleased to announce the OPEN CALL for the fourth edition of ‘Letní škola Maříž / Sommerschule Mayres’ and happily invite you to apply for the Speculative Experiment and Rehearsal in Practice to be held from 13-24.08.2025 in the village of Maříž, Czech Republic.
Over the 10-day residency, we will explore the idea of rehearsal through interdisciplinary practices and diverse approaches to the many elements behind collective theatre-making. We will explore the idea of rehearsal not only as a theatre-making process but as a way to collectively imagine and enact alternative futures. Through interdisciplinary practices, we will engage with the dynamic between individual creativity and collective action, using the village of Maříž as both a stage and a source of inspiration. Imagine co-creating a living experiment, transforming the fabric of this small village through shared creativity and play. How can we rehearse the future together?
APPLY UNTIL 4.5.2025
The creative process will be shaped by a series of parallel activities, led by our team and invited guests, inspired by key aspects of theatre production such as scenography, music, costume design, performance, dramaturgy, and documentation. But this is not a theatre workshop - it’s an invitation to approach creativity and collaboration as an unfolding process. You will have the opportunity to focus on one or more areas, working in smaller groups on specific elements of the final collective event.
Throughout the programme, walking will be embraced as an artistic and performative practice, a way to engage with the physical and historical layers of Maříž and to imagine new relationships with the local landscape. The residency will also include a series of excursions, including visits to Museum Maříž, Museum Humanum Fratres, and the nearby town of Slavonice. Creative exercises and informal gatherings will keep the creative energy flowing for spontaneous experimentation, working towards a collaborative final event. The following spring, there will be a follow-up event with our partner Hitness Club.
The residency is suitable for open-minded people of any discipline or nationality with a capacity of 20 places. Workshops and lectures will be conducted in English, although the community consists mainly of German and Czech native speakers.
WHAT
WE OFFER
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A programme inspired by collaborative practices informs various workshops by guest artists. We will focus on improvisation, stage design, costume creation and movement.
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Working in a non-hierarchical structure we will develop a public event that reflects the creative input and collective vision of the group.
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Guided tours at Museum Maříž, Museum Humanum Fratres, and the nearby town of Slavonice.
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Walking practices will be explored as both a creative and research method to engage with the landscape, uncover hidden histories, and reflect on the relationship between movement, memory, and place.
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Free use of materials and diverse workshops, including ceramics, textiles, woodworking tools, sound equipment and more.
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Possibility of collaboration in the final publication documenting the residency project.
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Ongoing collaboration through the publishing of articles and works on the online research archive.
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Public event in collaboration with ‘Hitness Club’ in Leipzig in spring 2026.
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Daily offer of yoga, wellness club membership and access to our freshly built SAUNA.
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All participants will be offered accommodation across several camping grounds around Maříž, and access to shared bathrooms.
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Three daily meals will be provided by our very talented catering team, with vegan or vegetarian options.
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Ten days of living in the magic countryside bordering Austria and enjoying the surrounding landscape.
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Access to our inflatable fleet for aquatic dining potential.
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Our network grows every year across Europe, you will become part of our extended family!
The price is €380 which covers everything mentioned above.
If you require financial assistance, we encourage you to apply for one of our four ‘scholarships’ which will reduce the price to €240.
Please feel free to contact us via email if you have further questions of any kind.
HOW TO
APPLY
The Summer School is suitable for open-minded people of any discipline or nationality with a minimum age of 18 and we have a capacity of 20 places. We will get back to you via email in mid-May.
We will not accept any applicants who have previously participated in Letní škola. If you have been a part of the previous years, we will be in contact with you.
You can find further details on this year’s Letní škola in this PDF file.
COVER LETTER
To apply, please send a digital one-page cover letter (handwritten or typed) in English (don’t be shy about your writing skills, we won't judge you on that) to apply@lestnice.org by 23:59 on May 4th, 2025.
In your letter, please include: your name, country of residence, why you're interested, what you hope to gain from the experience, and how you can contribute to the project.
You are welcome to attach any additional material for context, such as photos or videos, but please be considerate of the time it takes us to review the material.
SCHOLARSHIP
If you would like to apply for one of our four scholarships, please write an additional short letter telling us about your situation and how the scholarship will help you. Include this letter beneath your cover letter in the same document with a clear heading or it will not be considered.
Please note that your cover letter and scholarship letter will be judged separately. This means it is possible to be offered a place, but not the scholarship even if you applied for one.
Thank you for taking the time to apply, we look forward to hearing from you and good luck!
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The project is organised biannually by the non-profit organisation ‘Leštnice z.s.’ and supported by the ‘Czech-German Future Fund’ and the 'State Fund of Culture of the Czech Republic'.
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