Graben-Neudorf, Germany (July/August 2023)

Calling all sustainability-focused performance design (set & costume) & technical theatre production students/recent graduates! You are invited to apply for The Magic Flute: Upcycled, an industry placement opportunity for Germany’s first Living Stage project (July/August 2023).

The Living Stage is a global initiative by Austrian-Australian designer Tanja Beer. The project combines stage design, horticulture and community engagement to create recyclable, biodegradable, edible and biodiverse performance spaces. Part theatre, part garden and part food growing demonstration, The Living Stage engages people from all walks of life in developing a greater understanding and appreciation of the more-than-human world. Since making its debut in Castlemaine (Australia), the concept has travelled to Cardiff (Wales), Glasgow (Scotland), New York (USA), as well as Armidale, Lorne and Melbourne in Australia. At the crux of the project is the notion of community-engaged and place-based design processes to foster equity and togetherness on global-to-local issues. The German Living Stage and costume design will be centred around the creation of an Eco-Opera production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, entitled The Magic Flute: Upcycled (19th/20th August).

The Eco-Opera will be the 8th Living Stage and the first to be developed in Central Europe. The project will be developed as part of a new public space initiative in Graben-Neudorf from mid-July to late-August (approx. 6 weeks on the ground) with some online meetings prior to this time. This is a low-cost grassroots community initiative, with the locals very much joining in the creation and realisation of the event, alongside professional artists. While it is an unpaid position, all successful applicants will be provided with homestay accommodation for the duration of the project to also assist in facilitating community integration and cross-cultural exchange.

The opportunity would suit students or recent graduates who are interested in engaging in this experience as part of their studies (i.e. Work-Integrated-Learning) or early career development. We are looking for candidates based in Europe or those that are already planning to attend the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space in June. All Summer Interns will be provided with mentoring support to further their education and development in sustainable theatre production. German language proficiency is an advantage but not mandatory.

To apply for this opportunity, please send the following to tanjabeer.design@gmail.com by the 12th of March 2023:

• A letter introducing yourself, explaining your interest in the project and area of expertise (i.e., set building, prop making and costume construction)
• CV/Resume detailing any previous experience, current skills and referees (including one of your teachers or mentors)
• PDF portfolio or link to portfolio of selected works and/or website/social media page

Successful candidates will be confirmed by April 2023.