EXPLORE | DREAM | CREATE
RESIDENCY
Black Box Okhla invites artists working across all mediums to apply to our annual residency.
BBO offers two forms of residencies to artists who are at different stages of their creative process:
1. MAIN SPACE RESIDENCY
BBO, a performing arts laboratory, was created to dream big and explore new ideas. We invite artists to devise experiences, realize their wildest dreams, play with theatricality, experiment with different interactions and envision performances they haven’t been able to create anywhere else.
The Main Space Residency is a one to two month full access use of the black box space. The first half of this residency is used for development, workshopping, exploration, scenic build and technical set up. The final 3 weeks are for showcases. Our main space is reserved solely for residency applicants.
2019-2020 season residency dates:
I - October to November RIHLA
II - December to January DAUGHTERS OPERA
III - January to February VATAPI
IV - February to March THE PERSISTENCE OF BEING
2020-2021 season residency dates:
I- October to November 2020 UNTITLED by Anurupa Roy
II- December to January 2021
III- February to March 2021
Application Selection Committee for 2020-21 Residency Season –
Rustom Bharucha
Zuleikha Chaudhuri
Nikhil Mehta
2. MINI RESIDENCY
The mini-residency is a 10-14 day engagement in ‘The Peepal’ which culminates in an intimate work-in-progress showcase.
A mini-residency is for artists in early stages of exploration and development for a project. We hope this opportunity to nurture new work alongside optional mentorship by the BBO team will allow artists to imagine the limitless possibilities of their works-in-progress.
2020-2021 season mini-residency participants (rolling application):
I- February 2020: CHICKENS - By Uma Katju and Bikram Ghosh
FAQs
What kind of arts do you program for the residency?
Theatre, dance, performance art, immersive installations, and auditory/music experiences. (Your work may fall outside these categories - we encourage all art forms!)
What kind of work do you NOT program?
We do not program one-night-only events, corporate events, school annual days, brand launches, parties.
Can you tell us more about the showcases?
A showcase is a chance for audiences to interact with your work – whether formally or informally. BBO strongly believes in showcases as a part of the development process.
For the main space residency, the showcases must run for a minimum of three weekends. Longer runs encourage our audiences to engage more deeply with your work and also allows time for you to continue your exploration within the work.
For the mini-residency, the showcase format can be more flexible. We encourage the mini residency presentations to include a feedback component for the artists.
If I get into the main residency, what does a template of my time at BBO look like?
Can the BBO residency be used to program festivals?
Yes, you may apply for the residency as a curator of a festival.
We’re looking for a home for our touring presentation; can we apply for a residency?
Yes, we would be happy to host an already developed piece for our residency. Please fill out the same application as above and additionally share how your presentation will mould into our space. We expect you to showcase your work for a minimum of 3 consecutive weekends.
Are any of the BBO Spaces available to rent?
‘The Peepal’ is available for a rental of Rs. 2500/day for workshops, auditions, rehearsals, conversations, discussions, as a workspace etc.
The ‘Main Space’ is not available for a daily rent. It is reserved only for the main residency.
What inventory does BBO offer?
We have a pair of RCF Evox 12 (Active two way speakers with 15" subwoofer), a Yamaha MG16XU mixer, 33 light fixtures and an ETC nomad that programs lights through a computer. These are available for use, during tech and showcase days. If you require more inventories, you can rent them at your own cost. Once you are confirmed for our residency, you will receive an itemized inventory list with costing of each incase of loss or damage to any item.
How much space do I have access to as part of the residencies?
If you are part of the main space residency, you get access to the black box space (2585 sqft), bathroom (67 sqft), green room lounge and pantry (620 sqft), dressing rooms (410 sqft) and lobby (265 sqft)
If you are part of the mini-residency, you get access to the following rooms on our mezzanine floor - ‘The Peepal’ (360 sqft), attached foyer (155 sqft) and bathroom (46 sqft).
Do you offer support staff?
You are required to bring all staff and crew you need for your work.
What about food and housing?
BBO does not cover food expenses or accommodation. However residents in our main space are granted access to our pantry where they can set up a kitchenette for the duration of the residency.
Air Conditioning?
If needed, BBO offers Air conditioning at an additional cost of Rs. 1,200 per hour.