You will find below a first look at the programme of the ETC International Theatre Conference titled 'Open to the World' (23 - 26 April 2026).
Please note that the programme outline currently published will be continuously updated over the coming weeks, and can be subject to change.
Thursday 23 April 2026
Göteborgs Stadsteater
15:30 - 19:00
15:30-19:00
Welcome Desk
15:30-16:30
ETC Board Meeting
17:00-17:30
ETC Buddy Meeting
For new Member Theatres and designated 'Buddies’.
17:30-18:45
Opening Reception
Join us for the kick-off of the event and opening speeches, as we set the stage for an engaging and inspiring series of sessions, discussions and performances.
With:
- Aslan Akbas, Lord Mayor of Gothenburg
- Leif Pagrotsky, Swedish MP, Vice President of Riksbank, and former Minister of Industry and Trade and Minister of Education, Research, and Culture of Sweden
- Frida Edman, CEO Göteborgs Stadsteater (Gothenburg City Theatre, Stora Teatern, Backa Teater)
- Judith Videcoq, Head of Unit of Creative Europe, Directorate General of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture of the European Commission
- Cláudia Belchior, President of European Theatre Convention, Executive General Coordinator at the Centro Cultural de Belém
19:00 - 21:30
Performance: The Gothenburg Riots – as if another world were possible
19:00-20:45
Performance: Hecuba
19:00-20:30
Performance: Black / Woman
Friday 24 April 2026
Göteborgs Stadsteater
09:30 - 18:45
09:00-19:00
Welcome Desk
09:30- 09:40
Welcome
With:
- Heidi Wiley, Executive Director of European Theatre Convention
09:40-10:00
Keynote - Equity, Leadership, and the Future of National Theatres
With:
- Josette Bushell-Mingo, Principal of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (UK) and former Artistic Director of the National Black Theatre of Sweden - a leading voice on diversity, access and institutional transformation
10:00-11:30
Panel #1: National Theatres in a Changing Political Landscape
How do national theatres navigate shifting political climates, cultural policy changes, and rising polarisation?
With:
- Kjersti Horn, Director of Det Norske Teatret
- Kitte Wagner, CEO and Artistic Director of Malmö City Theatre
- Mladen Alexiev, Head of International Affairs Department of Ivan Vazov National Theatre
Moderation by:
- Frida Edman, CEO Göteborgs Stadsteater (Gothenburg City Theatre, Stora Teatern, Backa Teater)
11:35-12:00
Coffee Break
12:00-13:00
Deep-Dive Roundtables
- Table 1 – Artistic Freedom vs Public Mandate
- Table 2 – Theatre Leadership Under Political Pressure
- Table 3 - Making Theatre Relevant in a Changing Society – Nordic Insights
- Table 4 – Institutional Resilience & Survival Strategies
13:00-14:00
Networking Lunch
14:00-15:00
ETC General Assembly (ETC Members only, closed session)
15:00-15:30
The Road Ahead: Break the Mould - Collaboration with ETC in the Next Six Months
What is coming up at ETC over the next six months? Discover exclusive possibilities for funding, artistic innovation and new European collaborations as part of ETC's EU-funded programme, BREAK THE MOULD. Featuring the launch of new grants and training across our programmes on digital, diverse, sustainable and next generation theatre.
15:30-16:00
Coffee Break
16:00-17:00
Split Sessions:
- ETC Theatre Green Book- How to Get Started
- Partner Up! Project Pitching, ETC Grants & Collaborations
- Accesibility
18:00-18:45
The 50%: Women in Leadership - Networking Mingle
19:00-20:45
Performance: Hecuba
19:00-20:00
Performance: The Little Girl With Gortsa
20:30
Networking Mingle at Folkteatern Göteborg
Saturday 25 April 2026
Göteborgs Stadsteater/Backa Teater
10:00-18:00
10:00
Welcome
10:05-10:20
Impulse
With:
- Katie Mitchell, Theatre Director [video intervention]
10:20-11:30
Panel #2: Women Theatre Leaders in a Global Perspective & the Role of Allies
11:30-12:00
Coffee Break
12:00-13:00
Table Talks
13:00-14:30
Networking Lunch
14:30-15:45
Peer-to-Peer Sessions
- Collaborative Lab: Working with EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture
- Practice Lab: Inside the Rehearsal Room
- Collaborative Finance Lab: Best Practices Among Member Theatres
- Inclusive Leadership Workshop: Allies in Action
16:00-16:30
Transfer to Backa Teater
16:30-17:00
Welcome at Backa Teater
17:00-17:40
Agora
ETC Member Theatres share their takeaways.
17:40-17:50
Closing of the ETC International Theatre Conference
18:00-19:30
Performance: 1984
18:30-20:00
Performance: K
20:30 - 22:30
Joint Dinner at Göteborgs Stadsteater
Sunday 26 April 2026
11:00-12:00
11:00-12:00
Boat Tour around Gothenburg
© ETC / Göteborgs Stadsteater
