Young Europe IV is a three-year programme devoted to expanding the canon of European theatre literature, by highlighting "forgotten" plays and by writing new ones for young audiences.

European theatre literature is dominated by the white, heterosexual, male perspective. With Young Europe IV, which runs from 2021-24, we explicitly focus on the non-dominant voices in our societies, on stories that aren’t told or could be told more often.

Nine theatres from eight countries are participating in the project, which will see eight new texts on diverse, inclusive themes written for young audiences.

The playwrights are guided, provoked and challenged in their writing process by mentors from across the European theatre scene. 

The classroom plays will be performed at participating theatres during the final year of the project (2023/24) before being featured at the Young Europe IV Festival, 'The Young. The Bold. Break the Mould', from 17-21 April 2024.

The project is part of TRANSFORMATIONS, ETC's programme of activities from 2021-24, which is co-funded by the European Union. 

Young Europe IV is the winner of a 50,000 EUR prize and the Art Explora - Académie des Beaux-Arts European Award 2022! Read more

Image: Elisa von Brockdorff for Teatru Malta / ETC

International 2023/24 Season

Discover the Young Europe IV classroom plays

Check out the Young Europe IV dossier to discover the eight classroom plays that celebrate diverse voices and narratives, echoing the vibrant tapestry of today's youth, and join us in our mission to reshape European theatre and amplify the voices that have long been overlooked!

Young Europe IV - Press Dossier

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Playwrights and Mentors

Playwrights

Mentors

Young Europe IV has won the Art Explora – Académie des Beaux-Arts European award!

It is our immense pleasure to announce that, among 150 applicants, and 6 finalists in its category, Young Europe IV is elected winner for its innovation in access to culture, and rewarded with a €50,000 prize!

The Art Explora – Académie des Beaux-Arts European award will enable ETC to transform the reach of Young Europe IV and create a diverse theatre canon for young audiences across the continent, through translations and the organisation of a dedicated theatre festival in 2024. The news comes towards the end of the EU European Year of Youth 2022, which aims to build a more inclusive future. Read more

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Key Project Dates

17 - 21 April 2023

Young Europe IV Festival

 

20 September 2023

"Theatre & Consent“ Online Workshop for Young Europe IV Playwrights, Dramaturgs, Theatre Pedagogues and Communication Teams

 

19 - 21 April 2023

Young Europe IV Writers' Lab & Festival Interrim Meeting, at Staatstheater Braunschweig

 

06 October 2022

Online Event for the Launch of the Young Europe IV International Theatre Project

17 - 19 May 2022

Partner Meeting and Project Kick Off in Prague

 

Supported by

Young Europe IV is co-funded by the European Union. 

 

This initiative is generously supported by the Art Explora - Académie des Beaux-Arts European Award.

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