Applications to enter Polyus. Golden Season, the sixth contest among regional theater companies, have now closed. Polyus organizes the annual contest in partnership with the Territoriya Contemporary Art School for theaters, youth artistic associations and amateur groups in the regions where the company operates (Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk and Magadan regions and Yakutia).
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) theaters submitted a total of seven applications. Yakutsk will be represented by five theaters in the contest: Olonkho Theater, Sakha Oykunksky Academic Drama Theater, Youth Theater, Pushkin State Academic Russian Drama Theater and State Theater of Indigenous Peoples of the North, as well as the Mirninsky Theater and Nyurbinsky State Drama Theater.
Victoria Vasilyeva, PR Director at Polyus, commented:“This year, we have received a record number of applications. Some theaters have been taking part in the contest for several years already while others decided to enter for the first time. We are delighted that local theaters from each region have accounted for around half of all performances, as they are often the center of cultural and social life in their towns. Their engagement in the contest is testament to their desire for further development and eye for modern cultural trends. Good luck to all participants, who we look forward to meeting in Krasnoyarsk! ”
Theaters from Krasnoyarsk region submitted the most applications. Krasnoyarsk Pushkin Drama Theater, Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theater, Krasnoyarsk Youth Theater, Flash Artist Association, Theater on the Roof project and Sibiryachok Theater of the Local History Museum are among them. Minusinsk Drama Theater, Achinsk Drama Theater, Motygin District Drama Theater, Lesosibirsk Drama Theater, Sharypovo Drama Theater, Norilsk Polar Drama Theater, Zheleznogorsk Operetta Theater, Dudinsk Folk Chamber Theater as well as the Fashion School and Dialogue of Cultures Contemporary Art Kansk Center all offered their performances for review at the contest.
The Irkutsk region will be represented by a total of thirteen theaters, nine of which are located in Irkutsk: Okhlopkov Irkutsk Academic Drama Theater, Modern Dance Center, Yashnikova Dance Project, New Drama Center Young Actors Association, Pilgrims Studio Theater, Alter Homo Open Drama Theater, Sodruzhestvo Folk Theater, Steps Modern Choreography School and Irkutsk Theater School. Other regional cities and towns are represented by Cheremkhovsky Drama Theater, Bratsk Drama Theater as well as folk theaters from Angarsk and Nizhneudinsk.
The Magadan region Puppet Theater and local Music and Drama Theater also applied for the contest.
A total of 37 theatres, a record for the contest, applied for Polyus. Golden Season between March and May. In order to apply, conteststants are required to submit application forms outlining their social role and a video recording of their drama performances for the audience.
The jury comprises members of the Theater Critics Association: Roman Dolzhansky, Olga Fedyanina, Anastasiya Pauker and Niyaz Iglamov.
The winners of the Polyus.Golden Season contest will be announced after 30 June. The total grant fund worth RUB 6 mln will be allocated among the seven winners.
Roman Dolzhansky, Art Director and Founder of Territoriya festival, commented:“We received bids from well-known theaters that had already been named winners in the past, as well as new groups, who are participating for the first time. I’m particularly looking forward to meeting the debutants. Our contest doesn’t just crown the winners, but fosters inspiration and provides support to those who are eager to try something new and creative.”
Short-listed candidates are set to participate in the Territoriya. Krasnoyarsk festival, which will be held in Krasnoyarsk this November, where the first three winners will show their performances.
The comprehensive educational program related to theater and contemporary art has been prepared for contestants. The winners will be able to use the proceeds to cover travel expenses and general theater expenses.