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Call for Artists – Berlin Burlesque Festival

The Berlin Burlesque Festival is one of the most prestigious events of its kind – and holds a unique place within the European performance landscape. Each year, it brings together outstanding artists from across the globe in the capital of subculture, elegance, and aesthetic rebellion.

Our stage is grand – in every sense – and known for showcasing both acclaimed performers and remarkable emerging talents, often long before the world discovers them. Many of today’s celebrated stars took their first steps right here.

We are looking for acts that captivate, seduce, provoke, or surprise – performances that stay with the audience long after the curtain falls.
Our programme includes Classic and Neo Burlesque, fire performance, circus arts, aerial acts, live music, variety, group pieces, nerdlesque, grotesque – and everything that dares to move beyond genre.

Newcomers are warmly encouraged to apply, provided their work is distinctive and well-crafted. We do not host a separate “newcomer night” – instead, we carefully place emerging voices alongside established names, allowing the audience to experience the full spectrum of the scene and witness the stars of tomorrow in their first appearances.

Selection Criteria

Above all, we are looking for: quality.
We curate with care to present a programme that is diverse, refined, and artistically compelling.
We welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds, bodies, genders, and identities.

If you feel your work belongs on a stage that is seen, remembered, and respected – we’d love to see it.

This can include Beauty Burlesque, Classical Burlesque, Cirques, Fire, Aerial, Group Acts, Emcees, Bands, Singers, Vaudeville, Nerdlesque and Grotesque performances.

If you feel ready to get on a huge stage and entertain one of the best audiences, then please apply! We are carefully choosing our acts to be beautiful, amazing or different.

Newcomers are welcome as well. We do not offer a specific newcomer night, but we welcome newcomers and give them a great chance to step into the industry on a very high level.

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Selection Criteria

The strict main criteria for selecting performers is quality!

We want to present our audience a varying and high grading program. Therefore we explicitly encourage everyone to apply regardless of cultural background, gender or belief.

 

All the best and we are looking forward to your application.

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DATES and DEADLINES

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Application start: June 2025

Application deadline: May 31st, 2026

Notification to applicants: until June 10th, 2026

Date of Festival: October 15rd to 18th, 2026

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