Perform at Zirkusquartier

Open Call Wagenvarieté 2025

Would you like to perform your art in the smallest of spaces, in a circus wagon, right in the heart of Zurich?
Then apply now for Wagenvarieté 2025!

On 29. / November 30 and 6. / December 7, this year’s Wagenvarieté takes place and invites you to an evening in a magical atmosphere. If you would like to be part of this extraordinary event, we look forward to receiving your application – everything from artistry to physical theater, cabaret and music is welcome!

Conditions
– The contribution must be 15 minutes long
– Your contribution can be implemented on an area of 2x2x2 meters
– Solos and duos are preferred (for larger groups, please contact us in advance)

Application
– Tell us what you want to do and how it fits into a circus wagon (approx. 1 A4 page)
– Write something about yourself and everyone involved
– Picture or video material of your previous work

Send documents by May 4 to: coleitung@zirkusquartier.ch

Guest performances

All artists with a finished piece can apply for a guest performance. Preference will be given to applications in the contemporary circus category.

We can invite 4 guest performances per year at the Zirkusquartier and are therefore very selective.

Application

You can apply for guest performances on an ongoing basis. For the application we need

• a complete dossier
• a technical rider
• if possible a complete video of the show
• and/or an invitation to a performance in Switzerland or a neighboring country

Here you can find information about the infrastructure.

Decisions

March – May we decide on the guest performances for the next fall/winter program

September – November we decide on the guest performances for the next spring/summer program

Open stage

The platform for short formats!

Not all good ideas are full-length and some simply have to be tried out in front of an audience. We turn the spotlights on you and a loving audience awaits your art. We offer the stage and infrastructure for almost every circus discipline.

The next Open Stage will take place in the fall.
All genres are welcome! The only requirement: a contribution should last a maximum of 10 minutes. If there are many registrations, we reserve the right to give preference to circus-related contributions. Registration via link on the event page.

Festival ZirQus

ZirQus – Festival for contemporary Swiss circus creations

The ZirQus festival is an important platform for Swiss companies, strengthens the network and acts as a meeting place for circus professionals. The festival brings together a broad audience with national and international companies to celebrate the diversity of the different forms of expression
and the shared experience in a circus-like atmosphere.

Application

All artists with a connection to Switzerland (place of residence, place of work, origin) can apply for the festival. The festival features open-air shows, street shows and stage plays.

For an application we need:

• a complete dossier
• a technical rider
• if possible a complete video of the show
• and/or an invitation to a performance in Switzerland or a neighboring country

The application deadline is December 15 for the following year’s festival.

Festival ZirQus: Artist in Focus

Artist in Focus is a platform for up-and-coming circus artists during the ZirQus Festival. The selected artists do a 1-2 week residency and show a work-in-progress as part of the festival program.

The Open Call for the ZirQus 2024 festival is already over – thank you for the numerous applications! The next Open Call for the ZirQus 2026 festival will take place in spring 2026.

We offer you:

• 1-2 weeks residency before the festival
• 2-3 shows 15 to 40 minutes during the festival (results from the residency)

Prerequisites:

• You have completed education in circus, physical theater or similar up to 2 years ago
• You have a connection to Switzerland through your place of residence, place of work or origin