OPEN CALL

Reactor de creație și experiment is thrilled to launch the call for submissions for the wonderful eleventh edition of Drama 5!

This project is warmly dedicated to all playwrights, whether seasoned or just starting out, who are dreaming of writing a brand new play in a creative space specially designed just for them!

Drama 5 passionately supports the growth of contemporary Romanian playwriting through an exciting residency program that welcomes five talented writers selected by a jury each year. Throughout June and July 2026, our five residents will find the perfect inspiring environment to bring their play to life: reading sessions and cozy feedback circles with a mentor, inspiring meetings with directors, actors, playwrights, and producers, plus all the support and cheerleading they need to cross the finish line!

Since starting this beautiful journey back in 2016, we have welcomed 51 wonderful residents who have written 52 amazing plays! Eleven of these have already delighted audiences right here on the Reactor stage, and many others have found their home on stages across the country, been translated, won prestigious awards, or been adapted into lovely radio plays. All these fabulous texts have also been published in free e-volumes on the LiterNet platform for everyone to enjoy, and in 2025, we proudly released the very first printed Drama 5 anthology, bringing together four beautiful plays under the theme "Identities." This year, the exciting autumn staged readings that celebrate the end of the residency will take place both at Reactor and on the prestigious stage of the National Theatre Festival in Bucharest!

This edition’s fantastic mentor will be Maria Manolescu, a wonderful writer and playwright with a wealth of experience in both independent and public theatres. She currently shares her passion with students at the Master's in Playwriting program at UAT Târgu Mureș. Her cheerful message for you: „As a participant in the 2018 Drama 5 residency, I felt so incredibly inspired by meeting the lovely people at Reactor and the wonderful Alina Nelega, and so grateful for the safe space and growth mindset I found here. After the 2024 and 2025 editions—my very first times coordinating the playwriting workshop and feedback sessions, working with such warm, generous people and incredibly creative, brave, and wonderfully diverse texts (which you can read on LiterNet)—I simply cannot wait for the 2026 edition! Wishing you all lots of joy, energy, and inspiration!‟.

One of the five exciting plays created during the residency will be fully staged right here at Reactor, while the other four will shine in lovely staged readings. All five will be proudly published in a collective volume in partnership with LiterNet.

Applications are open until May 1, 2026, at rezidente.drama5@gmail.com. Your application package should include your artistic CV, a short, enthusiastic letter of motivation, and your exciting playwriting proposal (a synopsis, a detailed presentation of the concept you wish to develop, and a sample of at least 1500 words—please note, this text should not be finished yet!). There are absolutely no limits on theme or subject, the only requirement is that your play can be performed by a maximum of five actors. The residencies are paid, and cozy accommodation will be provided for residents joining us from outside Cluj!

The happy results of the selection will be announced on May 15.

In choosing our residents, we will look for original concepts, fresh relevance for contemporary society, a wonderful flow and quality of writing, and a clear, enthusiastic motivation to join this creative adventure. We are looking for writers with a unique voice, who have something heartfelt to say and are excited to experiment, collaborate, and share feedback!

Important Dates:

• May 1 – Submission deadline

• May 15 – Announcement of the 5 selected residents

• June (date to be announced) – First stage of the residency: an inspiring 2-day workshop with Maria Manolescu

• July 1-31 – Second stage of the residency: a wonderful creative month spent in Cluj

Eligibility criteria:

The Drama 5 residency is open to creative minds aged 18 and over.

Our wonderful alumni from previous Drama 5 editions are welcome to apply again after a period of five years from their participation.

Poster design: Mihai Păcurar

You can find more exciting details and news about Drama 5 by following our website www.reactor-cluj.com and our lively Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Drama5.rezidente

Partners: Replika Educational Theatre Center in Bucharest, „Fani Tardini” Dramatic Theatre in Galați, UNITER – Romanian Theatre Union, the Faculty of Theatre and Film in Cluj-Napoca, the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, the University of Arts in Târgu Mureș, the „George Enescu” National University of Arts in Iași, TVR Cluj, Radio Cluj, LiterNet.

A cultural project co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. The project does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.

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