The site for the competition is Prague Crossroads, formerly St Anna's church, which will also be the site of the Architecture Section at PQ 2011

Introduction

The OISTAT Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC) is an international ideas competition, aimed at students and emerging practitioners, which is organised every four years by the Architecture Commission of OISTAT (International Organisation of Scenographers, Technicians and Theatre Architects). For more information on the activities of OISTAT please see: www.oistat.org

We are pleased to announce the launch of the next TAC, to be completed in 2011. Selected entries of TAC are exhibited and cash prizes awarded at the Prague Quadrennial (PQ) the major international exhibition of scenography and theatre architecture, which takes place every 4 years in Prague in the Czech Republic. The next PQ is due to take place in June 2011. It is considered by many to be the most important theatre design event in the world. For more information please see: www.pq.cz

Complete brief (PDF)

Key Dates for the Competition:

1 July 2010: Official start of the competition

1 October 2010: Final date for questions.

11 March 2011: Closing date for despatch of entries and payment

25 March 2011: Latest date for receipt of entries

30 March - 13 April 2011: Jury meeting and report

16 April 2011: Notification of the prize-winners

16-26 June 2011: Exhibition of prize-winning and selected entries at the Prague Quadrennial.

17 June 2011: Official announcement and prize-giving

Competition Theme for TAC 2011

Most spaces for the performing arts (drama, music theatre, dance, concerts and other forms) are housed in specialized buildings, built for the purpose.

While there will always be a need for these buildings, there is increasing interest amongst theatre practitioners in the use of existing buildings and settings, which are not purpose built theatres, to present productions. These settings, sometimes known as 'found space', can often provide a unique atmosphere, which resonates with a particular production or style of presentation, in a way that may not be possible in a conventional theatre. While these spaces may lack the technical infrastructure and facilities of a theatre, they can make up for this through the atmosphere provided by the special character of the place, its interaction with the performance and the opportunity to explore less conventional forms of presentation. Many new theatres are also created by converting existing buildings, where the character of the original building contributes significantly to the special atmosphere, and provides a sense of continuity with the past.

These are the basic themes to be explored in this competition.