Rooted: Pitch & Perform 2025 — Festival Announcement
- APRICOT PRESS
- Jun 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Curated and Produced by Apricot Productions
July 1–7, 2025
LAKE Studios Berlin • Acker Stadt Palast • Wein Salon • Saligari
Pitch & Perform is a week-long festival produced and curated by Apricot Productions as a part of their internal series, Rooted- Apricot’s ‘spot’ for self-produced events, workshops, festivals & webinars. In 2023, the Rooted Series was founded with a mission to bridge the gap between international guest artists and Berlin’s vibrant local arts’ scene. With a goal to empower creatives as they navigate the unique challenges of living and working in a foreign landscape, while simultaneously responding to the needs of the local community, in Berlin.
In 2024, Rooted launched- Pitch & Perform, a new format created to open up a space where artists could present undeveloped or ‘new’ ideas, and then receive feedback from community members who participate in the series. Initiated with an open call, for Trial Workshop classes, Performative Pitches, & Works in Progress, local artists are invited to submit their concepts for presentation in the festival. This year, we’ve expanded the concept to invite international guest artists who have polished works ready for stage, with a goal to build international relationships within our Berlin community and beyond.
The Program
The festival kicks off with free professional development webinars open to all artists looking for practical tools:
July 1: 2 Part Series* Production & Marketing Hacks: A Guide led by Angela Fegers & Nadine Freisleben (Apricot Productions) - registration
July 2: Speaking Up, Tools for the Workplace led by OFEN Co-Arts (The Dancer’s Handbook) registration
Following the webinars, we move offline and gather in person for our Opening Party on July 2 at The Wein Salon — one of our favorite Berlin havens. Wein, Queer & Cabaret — what else could you ask for?
We’ve got some mega surprises up our sleeves for this Opening Cabaret night featuring a guest performance from Reflektra, fresh from opening for Chappell Roan and starring as Rusalka (the Little Mermaid) at Staatsoper Stuttgart, Reflektra now brings Kylie Minogue fantasy to life — with two fierce dancers Giorgia and Megumi.
Angela Fegers in her alter ego, Olivia Badcheck, performing as Britney Spears, Nadine Freisleben presenting Cabaret starlet, Mdme Plum, and SYDNEY, will graze the stage with her powerhouse presence — we have no idea what she’ll do, but we are sure it’ll be a show. Because the talent is sure too impress, we added an entry for 5-10 euros, pay at the door- goes straight to the artists.
PC: L- Angela Fegers, C- Megumi & Giorgia, R- Reflektra
Trial Workshops & Performative Pitches
(July 4.–5. @ LAKE Studios Berlin)
Each festival day begins with Trial Workshops, where participants can experience experimental teaching methods led by local artists. Workshops require a registration in advance and operate on a pay-what-you-can basis. Cash or Paypal QR codes are available at the door and- go directly to your workshop facilitator's wallet.
Workshops include:
July 4 @ 3pm-4:30pm- Voice Workshop by Katsia Kaya, Becoming Panima— exploring sensation over performance through fragments of The Magic Flute, somatic movement, breath, and vocal play. - registration
July 5 @ 4pm-5:30pm- gentle hardcore Movement Workshop by Evelin Uus — intersecting contemporary dance with striptease, pole, and rave practices, designed to gently expand comfort zones through somatic exploration. - registration
In the afternoons, Performative Pitchers present — short, work-in-progress projects followed by community feedback sessions designed to inspire future opportunities for the participating artists. The pitches share the same payment options as the Trial Workshops, but no pre-registration required.
Pitchers include: (Start time varies see full program)
July 4: Alexandra Doyle & Madeline Robertson with Nikita Proshkin
July 4: Evgenia Chetvertkova
July 5: Carro Sharkey
July 5: Pamela Moraga
With topics ranging from Cruising Culture — performances for public toilets (Carro Sharkey) to the lived economic challenges of Berlin’s freelance dancers (Pamela Moraga), these site-specific presentations provide a platform for artistic dialogue and exchange.
Following the pitches, we take a little break for some Aperitif each night, in LAKE’S inviting backyard bar before the Triple Bills begin.
Triple Bill Performances
July 4. @ LAKE Studios Berlin @ 7pm - Ticket link
Pamela Pietro: everything I thought I knew but… (originally premiered at 92nd Street Y, NYC)
Lindy Fines (GREYZONE): BLOOM — disrupting codified femininity in performance
Rhiannon Morgan: ADH(A)RA — exploring letting go & rebirth, premiere at TROIS-CL, Luxembourg
July 5. @ LAKE Studios Berlin @ 7:30pm Ticket link
Lindy Fines (GREYZONE): AMPLITUDE — viscerally driven choreographic work
Ruthie Scarpino: Love at First Flight (work-in-progress)
Marilyn Nova White: You’re Hired – Don't dream it, BE it! (work-in-progress)
Following the evening and on your way back to Central Berlin, we invite you to join us for a dance and some music by guest DJ s.t3v at our ‘closing’ party, hosted by our friends at Saligari.
Spoiler alert: it’s not actually the last show, we just wanted to slide in a party, due to scheduling limitations from visiting guest artists, we’ve added one final evening to the festival, on Monday night!
Triple Bill Closing Performances
July 7. @ Acker Stadt Palast- Ticket link
Pamela Pietro & Jesse Zaritt: dance for no ending — a European premiere duet exploring the ecstatic unmaking and remaking of bodies in joyful negotiation with the unknown.
Venera Kazarova: When Kissing a Flower — poetic costuming, video, and moving images.
ATŌMI & Anthony Nakhlé: Jawhar جوهر — a ritual-performance and video installation surrendering the body and soul.
PC top L, C- Courtesy Marea Art Project- Michele Iaccarino Anthony & ATÕMI, top R, bottom C, R- Pamela Pietro & Jesse Zaritt- PC- Steven Pisano, bottom left- Venera Kazarova
To get tickets for these performances or sign up for the workshops please take a look at our Official page for Pitch & Perform
Until Soon,
The Apricots