Applications Open for YOUNG STAGE’s Final Edition
For nearly two decades, YOUNG STAGE has been a beacon of excellence in the world of circus arts, providing young talent with a platform to shine on the international stage. Now, as the festival approaches its final edition this Fall (September 18–22, 2025), performers around the world have one last opportunity to be part of the legacy of YOUNG STAGE.
The GRANDE FINALE, as the organizers call this edition, marks the culmination of an era: a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the nurturing power of young talents that has defined YOUNG STAGE over the years. With applications now officially open, this is the final chance for emerging circus artists to perform in Basel, Switzerland, in front of an esteemed jury, industry professionals, and an enthusiastic live audience.
So what makes this final edition so special? What opportunities await the selected performers? And what legacy does YOUNG STAGE leave behind as it takes its final bow?
To answer these questions and more, I was thrilled to sit down with Nadja Berger Festival and Artistic Director, the engine behind the festival, to discuss the application process, and what artists can expect.
Andrea Honis: What makes the final edition of YOUNG STAGE, the GRANDE FINALE, particularly special for both participants and the audience?
Nadja Berger: The way we currently feel it, it will be an enormously emotional final festival edition—a kind of class reunion for many former participants and a gathering of the international circus scene and our regular audience. After almost 20 years of festival history (the first edition took place in 2007), celebrating this closing together is very special. For me, the emotional dimension is slowly but surely becoming tangible. I think it will be beautiful, sad, funny, and tearful—all at once. And that’s totally okay.
We are also expecting a particularly large number of applications from young artists, as this is the last chance to be part of YOUNG STAGE. Additionally, three former top award winners will perform as guest acts in the program. In addition to the expert jury, a special jury consisting of former participants will present the final big award—the GRANDE FINALE Award, a prize given by artists, for artists.
AH: What qualities or skills does the jury typically look for when evaluating artists at YOUNG STAGE?
NB: The jury—and also the selection committee that chooses the acts for the festival—assesses the technical level and execution, followed by the uniqueness and innovation of a performance, the emotion an act evokes, as well as stage presence and audience interaction.
AH: Beyond the technical requirements outlined in the casting call, what type of talent are you particularly encouraging to apply for this final edition?
NB: We are looking for young artists who stand out from the crowd and surprise us. This could be due to their chosen discipline, a new and innovative interpretation of a discipline, an emotion their act evokes (ranging from laughter to goosebumps), or even a compelling story they tell.
Another important factor is that an artist must be ready to be booked for different shows. As we all know, many producers and bookers are constantly searching for new talent.
To put it another way: a solo aerial tissue act has a lower chance of being invited to the festival compared to, for example, a Russian Bar act. However, if the aerial act is presented in a completely fresh and unexpected way, then the chances are absolutely strong!
AH: Are there any specific geographic regions from which you haven’t featured artists yet, and would especially like to see applications from this year?
NB: Every year, we receive applications from around 60 different nations and all continents. In fact, every continent has already been represented at the festival. For us, it doesn’t really matter where the artists come from. Of course, we aim for representation from different countries, but the quality of the act always comes first.
AH: With the age limit and technical specifications in mind, what advice would you give to artists preparing their applications or performances for this final edition?
I would say: Work on your performance until it is exactly as you want to present it at the festival. It doesn’t help if you describe what you plan to do if invited. We need to see it as it is now. Please send us an uncut video of your act so we can assess it fully. If you have a recording of a live performance that captures audience reactions, even better—this is especially important for character acts or comedy.
Technically, we can accommodate a lot on our stage, but swinging trapeze acts may be challenging. We would need to evaluate those on a case-by-case basis.
AH: What are your hopes for the legacy of YOUNG STAGE, and how do you envision the festival’s influence continuing after the GRANDE FINALE?
NB: Oh, that’s a big question. In recent years, our festival has positioned itself somewhere between the contemporary/modern circus world and tradition, creating its own unique space. In our opinion, it is extremely important not to think in rigid categories but to remain open to all perspectives and view the circus world as a whole. I hope we have provided the community with some food for thought and that this impact will continue into the future.
Additionally, since the very beginning, our mission has been to support artists to the best of our knowledge and ability—to offer them tips and tricks, to be fair and open to all, to avoid favoritism, to address issues clearly and directly, and above all, to communicate transparently with all target groups of the festival. We have always received many compliments and valuable feedback for this approach. If this leaves a lasting mark on the circus world and inspires others to adopt some of our practices in the future, that would, of course, make us very proud.
And finally, I hope that exciting new projects will emerge that I will have the opportunity to be part of. Because one thing will never change: my deep love for this community and for the circus as a whole.
Application Details
Applications are accepted from artists who are not older than 27 years in September 2025. For groups, the average age counts. Artists that have already applied for one of the previous years can apply again, but they have to send a new registration form!
How to Apply: Only applications sent via our official registration form can be accepted.
Application Deadline: April 25, 2025
Notification: All applicants will be informed about the selection by the end of May 2025.
Dates of the Festival 2025:
Arrivals: 12-14 September 2025
Rehearsals: 13-17 September 2025
Shows: 18-22 September 2025
Departures: 23 September 2025
Fees:
Hotel and meals are included for participants during the stay in Basel and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Technical information:
The stage has a dimension of 12 x 8 meters. It is covered with a dance floor. It is generally possible to rig Chinese poles or other props. We have a motor winch for aerial acts. The rigging point for aerial acts is at a height of about 9 meters.
More information:
StageLync Job Board
YOUNG STAGE Website
If you have any questions, please contact Young Stage via [email protected].
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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