Participation in the OnStage Festival
Become part of an intercultural festival with an international focus and present your art on a professional stage.
Whether you are just starting out or already have experience – here you get the opportunity to present yourself and further develop your skills.
Categories
- Music
- Dance
- Performance / experimental formats
- Instrumental music
- Solo, duo, or group participation is possible.
Process
- Fill out the online application form
- Pay the participation fee within 3 days
- Receive confirmation within 7 days
- Perform at the festival
- Receive photo and video material
Why it’s worth it
- real stage experience
- high-quality material for your portfolio
- new contacts in the scene
- opportunities for artistic development
Participation conditions
- performance duration: max. 3.5 minutes
- no pyrotechnics or open fire
- no dangerous objects allowed
- stage setup max. 30 seconds
- technical requirements must be coordinated in advance
Dates
Application start: 15.04.2026
Application deadline: 04.09.2026
Festival: 04.10.2026
Jury
Birgit Lengers
Birgit Lengers is a dramaturg, curator, and cultural mediator. She leads the Stadt:Kollektiv participatory programme at Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, where she develops projects that connect people, cultures, and artistic disciplines through a topographical, transcultural, and interdisciplinary approach.
Elizabeth Smolianitska
Professional dancer, international-level dance coach, and owner of dance schools in Kharkiv and Düsseldorf. With many years of experience in the dance industry, she has trained numerous dancers and actively contributes to the development of performing arts.
Chris Hopkins
An internationally recognized jazz and swing musician, pianist, and saxophonist. With around 5,000 concerts and 50 CD albums, he brings extensive experience and a deep passion for music to the OnStage Festival jury. He will judge the Instrumental category.
Ihor Furmanenko
Poet-songwriter and author of song lyrics and creative projects. He will be a jury member in the Vocal category at the OnStage Festival.
Nataliya Dytyuk
Honoured Artist of Ukraine, leading opera and concert-chamber soprano and lecturer at the Mykola Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy.
Maryana Sadovska
Singer, actress, composer and researcher of traditional music. Laureate of numerous awards, including the prestigious Ruth Global Music Award. For over 30 years, she has explored Ukrainian musical traditions and created contemporary works inspired by traditional singing.