Application period from October 21 to November 27 2025:‍

- Open Call for CPH STAGE SELECTED. This application round is open to all productions that believe they fit the festival’s criteria. Smaller productions can only apply for 2026 (festival period May 28-June 6), while large-scale productions (minimum of 5 performers on stage & a budget over 350,000 DKK) can also apply for 2027 (festival period June 3-12). Remember to invite our programme committee if you plan to apply.

Application period from May 10 to June 12 2026:

- Open Call for CPH STAGE SELECTED. This application round is only open to large-scale productions (minimum of 5 performers on stage & a budget over 350,000 DKK) and applies to both 2027 (festival period June 3-12) and 2028 (festival period June 1-10). Remember to invite our programme committee to your performance if you plan to apply.

About CPH STAGE SELECTED

CPH STAGE SELECTED consists of approximately five Danish productions each year, aiming to strengthen the festival’s audience programme with a selection of inspiring performances that audiences can relate to.

Selected productions must have premiered no later than December 1 before the festival. The production must also be presented at least three times during the festival (May 28-June 6 2026 and June 3-12 2027). Only professional productions for adult audiences are curated. The festival only curates completed productions that the jury has been able to see either live or via a documentation video. The festival does not curate productions that have a run in Copenhagen immediately before the festival.

Please send premiere invitations to info@cphstage.com and state that the invitation is intended for the programme committee.

There are two application rounds per year: one in early summer and one in autumn. The committee determines how many grants are awarded in each round. Productions not selected in the first round may be reconsidered in the following one.

CRITERIA

Productions are selected based on the following criteria: relevance, originality, and quality.
- Relevance means relevance to someone – in this case, to the audience. A production is relevant when it engages with themes, trends, events, or other aspects related to the audience’s lives, our contemporary world, and the society we live in. Older productions and traditional forms of expression can absolutely be relevant. 
- Originality may be expressed through form, subject matter, casting – or, more broadly, through a distinctive and recognizable artistic voice. It is something that stands out and challenges our perception of performing arts – which is always relevant.
- Quality refers to craftsmanship and artistic mastery – whether in acting, directing, choreography, scenography, or in dramaturgy and the performing arts’ unique synthesis across different forms of expression.  

In its curation, the programme committee also focuses on creating a programme that reflects diversity in voices, themes, and genres, appealing to a broad and varied audience base.

The festival strives to present the best productions that underline the performing arts as an essential and vital part of contemporary culture.

PROGRAMME COMMITTEE

The programme committee is composed to ensure strong professional expertise through industry representatives with relevant and up-to-date artistic insight. The selection also aims for geographic and genre diversity and includes members who have seen a significant number of productions throughout the year.

The committee consists of:
Morten Krogh, Director, CPH STAGE
Lene Grønborg, Member of the Reumert Jury
Peter Westphael, Theatre Director, Randers Teater
Tina Tarpgaard, Artistic Director, Sydhavn Teater
Alexander Mayah Larsen, Theatre Director, Blaagaard Teater
Simone Wierød, Artistic Director, Wired Studio

FINANCES

Through this open call, applicants can apply for support to cover costs such as transport, accommodation, fees, production, venue, touring adaptation, etc. Based on the submitted budget, negotiations with the festival will take place regarding the composition of the support, potential co-financing, and other funding sources. Submitted budgets must include all income and expenses and use this template. The distribution of ticket income will be negotiated based on the festival’s contribution.

Theatres and groups curated by CPH STAGE must comply with current collective agreements. Dansk Scenekunst has a specific agreement with the Danish Actors’ Association regarding CPH STAGE. You can view the 2025 agreement HERE.

As CPH STAGE receives funding from the State and the City of Copenhagen, our partners must comply with the City of Copenhagen’s labour clause requirements – meaning expectations regarding pay and working conditions, including working hours, residence, and work permits. You can read more about collective agreements and labour clauses HERE.

APPLICATION

Applications are submitted via the Eventotron platform, where you need to create a profile using an email and password. You can then apply under the ‘Festivals & Seasons’ menu by finding CPH STAGE STAGE UDVALGTE 2026 & 2027. You can easily locate it using the search function.

Apply HERE

For questions regarding CPH STAGE SELECTED, please contact Production Manager Sarah Sarina Rommedahl at sarah@cphstage.com.

Application period: October 21 – November 27, 2025

- Open Call for National Touring Days 2026 (May 30–31, 2026) For touring productions on commercial terms and for performances that meet the criteria for the Touring Network Denmark scheme – either already accepted into the network or wishing to apply for inclusion.

ABOUT NATIONAL TOURING DAYS

National Touring Days, under CPH STAGE, invites Danish theatres and groups to apply for inclusion in the program with their touring productions scheduled to tour during the 2026/27 or 2027/28 seasons.

The National Touring Days serve as a platform where presenters from theatre associations, venues, and cultural centers across the country can experience a broad selection of full-length touring performances.

CRITERIA

CPH STAGE prioritizes productions that already have plans to tour and have considered the practical frameworks for touring in Denmark, such as:

- Productions that are part of, or applying for inclusion in, Touring Network Denmark for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.
- Productions that have a plan for touring on commercial terms.
- Touring productions from The Royal Danish Theatre, the regional theatres, The Jutland Opera, and theatres under The Copenhagen Theatre Partnership.  

The producer must be able to manage, organize, and carry out a tour and ensure that the offered production can be realized in the following season.

CPH STAGE will curate a diverse program of 5–8 performances.

FINANCES

Performance or ticket purchase depends on whether it is a public performance or one shown exclusively in connection with the Touring Days. Maximum fee: DKK 30,000 per performance.

Theatres and groups curated by CPH STAGE must comply with applicable collective agreements. Dansk Scenekunst has a special collective agreement with the Danish Actors’ Association regarding CPH STAGE. You can view the 2025 agreement HERE.

Since CPH STAGE receives funding from the State and the City of Copenhagen, it is a requirement that our partners comply with the City of Copenhagen’s labour clauses – meaning expectations regarding pay and working conditions, including working hours and residence/work permits.
You can read more about collective agreements and labour clauses HERE.

APPLICATION

Applications are submitted via the platform Eventotron, where you must create a profile using an email and password.Then apply under ‘Festivals & Seasons’, and find ’NATIONALE TURNÉDAGE - CPH STAGE 2026’. You can easily search for it in the search field.

Apply here

For questions about the Open Call for National Touring Days at CPH STAGE 2025, please contact Production Manager Sarah Sarina Rommedahl at SARAH@CPHSTAGE.COM.

Application round from October 21, 2025 to January 29, 2026
Application round from May 10 to June 15, 2026

CPH STAGE’s National Mobility Fund helps ensure that performances produced outside the Capital Region or on Bornholm are presented as part of the festival’s open program.

With this initiative, we strengthen the festival’s program for the Danish audience with performances from all over the country. In addition, the festival and the initiative contribute to giving good performances the opportunity to be restaged and possibly go on tour for the benefit of even more audiences in other regions.

A limited number of professional performances may be selected to receive a contribution from CPH STAGE’s National Mobility Fund. The performance must be produced in Denmark, and the theatre/group must be based outside the Capital Region or on Bornholm. The performance must be presented as part of the festival either in 2026 or 2027 and must have premiered before the relevant festival. The festival’s budget template must be used and can be downloaded HERE.

FINANCES

Through this open call, it is possible to apply for coverage of expenses for transport, accommodation, fees, production, and venue. A maximum of DKK 50,000 excl. VAT can be applied for.

Theatres and groups curated by CPH STAGE must comply with applicable collective agreements. Dansk Scenekunst enters into a special collective agreement with the Danish Actors’ Association regarding CPH STAGE. You can see the agreement from 2025 HERE.

As CPH STAGE receives funding from the State and the City of Copenhagen, it is a prerequisite for our contribution that our partners meet the City of Copenhagen’s requirements regarding labour clauses; that is, expectations concerning pay and working conditions, including working hours and residence and work permits. You can read more about collective agreements and labour clauses HERE.

APPLICATION

You apply via the platform Eventotron, where you must create a profile. You do this with an email and a password. After that, you can apply under the menu ‘Festivals & Seasons’, where you must find 'CPH STAGES NATIONALE MOBILITETSPULJE'. You can easily locate it using the search function.

‍APPLY HERE

For questions regarding ‘CPH STAGE’S NATIONAL MOBILITY FUND’, contact Production Manager Sarah Sarina Rommedahl at SARAH@CPHSTAGE.COM.

Application deadline: November 27, 2025
Notification: December 15, 2025

About Exchange at CPH STAGE

Exchange is CPH STAGE’s international platform that connects Danish artists with the global stage. The International Days (May 28–29, 2026) are part of Exchange and bring together Danish performing artists with international professionals through a curated program consisting of:

- Pitches of Danish performances
- Networking activities
- International and Danish performances

Each year, a rotating international jury selects which pitches will be part of the program. The rotating jury ensures diverse perspectives on Danish performing arts.

This year’s jury consists of: Anna Torkkel, Artistic Director at Ehkä-production & Contemporary Art Space Kutomo; Leena Kela, Artistic Director at New Performance Turku Biennale; and Pontus Petterson, Organizer & Curator at My Wild Flag, an international dance and performance festival.

Who Can Apply

This open call is for artists and companies based in Denmark. Applicants must choose between:

Pitch a production that is ready to tour

- The production must have premiered before the application deadline.
- Applicants must provide photo and video documentation of the performance for their pitch at CPH STAGE 2026.
- Present a 5-minute pitch to an international industry audience.
- Pitches will take place on either May 28 or 29, 2026, at The Royal Playhouse (10:00–11:00).

Pitch your artistic practice

- Applicants must provide photo and video documentation of the performance for their pitch at CPH STAGE 2026.
- Present a 5-minute pitch to an international industry audience.
- Pitches will take place on either May 28 or 29, 2026, at The Royal Playhouse (10:00–11:00).

Please note

- To ensure you are best prepared, it is mandatory to attend rehearsels (the day before) and a final run-through (on the day).
- Applicants must have a Danish CVR number.
- The application form must be completed in English.
- Applicants will be notified of selection on December 15, 2025.

Participation details

- Workshops and Feedback: We offer a preparatory workshop, feedback sessions, and opportunities to practice your pitch.
- Travel Reimbursement: CPH STAGE covers travel expenses (using public transport) for up to two participants if they live outside Greater Copenhagen.
- Delegate Access: Pitchers receive up to 2 free delegate passes, providing access to Exchange networking events and the Exchange online platform.

Submit your application

You apply via the platform Eventotron, where you must create a profile. You do this with an email and a password. After that, you can apply under the menu ‘Festivals & Seasons’, where you must find 'Open Call: Pitch at CPH STAGE International Days 2026'. You can conveniently search for it in the search field.

Contact International Project Manager Geir Lindahl at GEIR@CPHSTAGE.COM if you have questions regarding the application.

The International Days and Pitch are supported by the Danish Arts Foundation.

Application deadline: October 30, 2026

CPH STAGE invites Danish performing arts professionals – including artists, producers, curators, presenters, and agents – to join two delegation trips to Canada in 2026. These trips are designed to promote Danish performing arts internationally while also offering Danish festivals, curators, and presenters opportunities to discover and invite international performances to Denmark.

Montréal: Contemporary Circus

- July 6-8, 2026: MICCAnnual Market – part of MONTRÉALCOMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE Festival.‍
- Connect with leading voices in the international circus community, gain insider market insights, share your work with potential collaborators and presenters abroad, and discover inspiring performances from around the world.

Toronto: Contemporary Performance

- August 8-13, 2026: SummerWorks Focus – a part of SummerWorks Festival.
- Connect with peers in innovative performing arts, expand your network, and explore new collaboration opportunities, while also discovering international performances that could come to Denmark.
- Please be aware that these dates are preliminary and may be subject to change.

Both trips provide valuable industry insight and networking opportunities for professionals seeking to present work internationally or to bring international performances to Denmark.

Delegation Selection

For this call, the delegation will be selected by the inviting platforms and festivals – SummerWorks and La TOHU. The process is designed to ensure strong representation and a group of delegates best suited to the interests of both the platforms and the Canadian market.

Application

- Applicants must have a Danish CVR number.
- Each selected delegate will receive: Artists/producers/agents with focus on presenting their work internationally. DKK 15,000 in travel support. / Festivals/presenters with focus on inviting and presenting international work in their own context. DKK 7,500 in travel support.
- You apply via the platform Eventotron, where you must create a profile. You do this with an email and a password. After that, you can apply under the menu ‘Festivals & Seasons’, where you must find "Open Call: Trade Mission to Canada 2026". You can search for it in the search field.

Important Information

- Delegates should plan for additional costs beyond the travel support.
- A digital information meeting will be held early 2026.
- A preparatory workshop on networking and professional presence will be offered to delegates prior to the trip.

Please note

- The application form must be completed in English.
- Your application will be deleted after 1 year.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact International Project Manager Geir Lindahl at geir@cphstage.com.

Trade Mission to Canada 2026 is supported by The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Ministry of Culture in collaboration with: Embassy of Denmark in Canada, SummerWorks, and La TOHU

Planning to apply to the Danish delegation for CINARS 2026? The Danish Arts Foundation will open applications later this autumn. CINARS is a separate event with a different schedule and selection process. But all calls are open for Danish performing arts professionals.