Deadline: December 12, 2025 by 5PM PST
Please note: the submission form does allow you to save the application midway through, but we highly recommend that you complete this in one sitting to avoid any errors or technical issues. If you have access needs to complete this application, please email groundfloor@berkeleyrep.org.
Thank you for considering the Ground Floor's 2026 Summer Residency Lab, which will take place June 15th - July 12th!
We suggest you download and complete this application as a Word document (available here) and then cut/paste your answers into this online form. In order for your application to be considered complete, we ask that you submit PDFs of your résumé and the résumés of any key collaborators separately. Please title these “Project Title.Last Name.pdf” - we will know how to differentiate each document based on the section.
Thank you for considering the Ground Floor's 2026 Summer Residency Lab, which will take place June 15th - July 12th!
We suggest you download and complete this application as a Word document (available here) and then cut/paste your answers into this online form. In order for your application to be considered complete, we ask that you submit PDFs of your résumé and the résumés of any key collaborators separately. Please title these “Project Title.Last Name.pdf” - we will know how to differentiate each document based on the section.
HOW LONG IS A RESIDENCY?
In the last few years, residencies have ranged between one to two weeks. This is another opportunity to tell us what your dream length is, as well as the minimum duration that would be useful for you.
DO YOU ACCEPT MUSICALS?
Yes! Again, in your project description, please be clear as to what you need at this stage of your project’s development.
CAN I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON MY SUBMISSION?
Unfortunately, we do not provide personal feedback on submissions. Due to the small staff’s time limitations, we do not have the capacity to respond in detail to individual applications.
WHAT DOES BERKELEY REP PROVIDE FOR THE SUMMER RESIDENCY LAB?
All lead artists receive a small honorarium. If you are coming from out of town, we will provide travel and housing — if you do not have a place to stay in the Bay Area. We eat dinner together every night, and coffee and snacks are available all day. Actors and directors are paid in accordance with union agreements.
CAN I SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE PROJECT?
Yes! We invite you to be a part of the curatorial process by limiting yourself to submitting two projects as the main artist contact. However, if another artist wants to list you as a co-collaborator, we completely understand.
CAN I RE-SUBMIT THE PROJECT I APPLIED WITH LAST YEAR?
Yes, but we highly recommend you acknowledge this in your application and share how your project and needs have changed since the previous year(s). Have you done any work on the project since your last application? Why are you continuing to pursue the development of this particular project?
I’VE APPLIED BEFORE AND HAVE NOT BEEN CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER RESIDENCY LAB. SHOULD I KEEP TRYING?
Yes! Many of our previous participants applied for years before receiving an invitation. As mentioned above, we use the application to build and/or deepen relationships with artists. We intend to move through a relational artistic process, but are unable to do that if you do not continue to connect with us and inform us on your artistic development and evolution. Rejection is hard, and we do not take this process lightly — so please keep trying.
CAN I BRING MY OWN ACTORS? DIRECTOR? DRAMATURG?
When you apply for a project, we invite you to list your co-collaborators. We think of these people as the artists you need to continue to develop your project — this includes a director, dramaturg, designer, choreographer, or actor(s). If there are people you dream of including or roles you would like to fill, please include that information as it can be part of the development process. This is yet another opportunity to share with us your dream residency needs, as well as the necessary needs of the project.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE COLLABORATORS YET?
Co-collaborators are not needed. Some artists need and want a space to complete research and accomplish some writing. If you are further along in your process, we love making connections, so would love to support you in identifying collaborators that could be part of this process with you. For some of the work to be heard and seen, we do hire local artists to work on Summer Residency Lab projects. Keep in mind that we are a very flexible program. We have hosted composers, musicians, playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, actors, dancers, and visual artists. We thrive on experimentation.