...next wave... 2026 Prague

The festival ...next wave... has operated since 1994 as a platform for presenting theatrical, musical, dance, visual art and other alternative work. It takes place in September and October in Prague and Brno, and also organizes theatre excursions. The Prague portion runs from 18 to 24 September 2026.

The festival attracts peripheral or underground phenomena and crosses genre boundaries - encompassing happenings, action art, installations, performance, site-specific work, multimedia, social theatre, and rituals and ceremonies. It emphasizes dramaturgical coherence, premiere projects, and engaged political theatre. It initiates new projects, supports young progressive artists across disciplines, and presents unconventional cultural spaces. The festival was founded by Jan Dvořák; since the twentieth edition, Lenka Dombrovská has served as curator and artistic director.

Since 2003, the festival annually awards recognition to significant figures, projects, discoveries and achievements in the sphere of independent and alternative theatre that help shape the Czech theatrical margin.

...next wave... is a recipient of the Czech Theatre DNA 2024 award for exceptional long-term contribution, development and support of new theatre and live culture. The award is presented by Nová síť as part of the Malá inventura festival.