Under 600 is a regional initiative designed to bring independent theatre communities closer together, literally and metaphorically, by creating space for collaboration, dialogue, and shared growth across North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro.
At the core of the project is a newly launched digital platform, Under 600, built as a meeting point for independent theatre organisations. More than just a website, it functions as a living network, where artists, producers, and collectives can connect, exchange ideas, and explore new collaborations. 40 organisations has already joined, signalling a clear need for this kind of shared space in the region.
The project continued through a series of online panel discussions, each opening up key questions shaping the future of independent theatre. From sustainability and regional collaboration to youth participation in culture, these conversations brought together practitioners from across the Western Balkans to reflect on common challenges and imagine new ways forward. What emerged was not just dialogue, but a sense of collective momentum - an understanding that collaboration is essential for resilience.
Beyond the digital space, Under 600 came to life through festivals, panel discussions, round tables, public talks, and live encounters, engaging 50 theatre organisations. In Belgrade, as part of ARTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS Festival by DAH Theatre artists and partners gathered to discuss the realities of working independently, balancing creative freedom with financial uncertainty and questioning what “independence” truly means today. In Kolašin, as part of Korifej Festival by Korifej Theatre, conversations moved closer to local communities, exploring how theatre can exist and evolve beyond major cultural centres.
The project reached its peak with the Under 600 Showcase Festival in Skopje, a dynamic, multi-day programme that transformed a wide range of spaces into stages, reaching around 600 visitors. From theatres and cafés to shopping malls and revitalised public venues, performances unfolded across the city, making theatre more accessible and present in everyday life. The programme featured a diverse mix of works, from intimate monodramas and experimental performances to bold reinterpretations of classics, reflecting the richness and diversity of the independent scene with the participation from Serbian, Montenegrian and Macedonian theaters. The showcase festival was opened by the performance “the Snow”, produced by Schtrich and directed by Zoja Buzalkovska. Further, the program featured performances such as “A cross with five star point, produced by Korifej Theatre and directed by Zoran Rakocević, “Ready-Made Play, produced by MI Film and Theatre, “As long as we speak of love”, produced by Pozorište Promena and directed by Maša Pavlović, “The conundrum of revolution”, produced by DAH Theatre and directed by Dijana Milošević, “Death in Dubrovnik”, produced by Empty space and directed by Petar Pejaković and many other extraordinary performances.
What makes Under 600 particularly meaningful is its ability to connect different layers of the theatre ecosystem: artists, organisations, audiences, and spaces. By combining digital tools with real-life encounters, the project has helped strengthen regional ties, amplify visibility, and create new opportunities for collaboration of the independent scene in the WB.
At a time when independent cultural actors often work in isolation, Under 600 shows the power of coming together, building not just a network, but a shared sense of direction for the future of theatre in the Western Balkans.
Implementing partners: Association for cultural-artistic and educational action - Schtrich (North Macedonia), DAH Theatre (Serbia), Korifej Theatre (Montenegro)
Under 600 was supported by the British Council through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union. CC4WBs aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.