Klaipėda State Music Theatre Announces a Competition for the Production of the Musical Mamma Mia!
Klaipėda State Music Theatre invites directors and their creative teams to submit proposals and participate in the competition to stage the world-famous musical Mamma Mia! in Lithuania’s newest and most modern theatre.
Klaipėda State Music Theatre (hereinafter – KSMT) is the largest professional performing arts institution in Western and Northern Lithuania renowned for its high artistic level, the newest and most modern theatre stage and equipment in Lithuania. The theatre works with professional teams who have received the highest Lithuanian theatre awards, and its productions feature acclaimed creators from both Lithuania and abroad. KSMT consistently implements its repertoire policy objectives—balancing educational goals with audience development. The theatre’s activities receive wide coverage in both national and international media. In addition, the annual Klaipėda Festival, organized by KSMT, plays a significant role by presenting unique stage premieres. The theatre’s membership in major international opera cooperation networks, along with the active participation of its staff, ensures broad opportunities for artistic exchange, networking, and repertoire dissemination.
About the Musical Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is a “jukebox musical” built on previously written popular songs rather than original compositions. The score is based on the worldwide hits of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from the legendary group ABBA, including Super Trouper, Dancing Queen, Take a Chance on Me, Thank You for the Music, Money, Money, Money, and of course, Mamma Mia.
The idea for the musical was conceived by British producer Judy Craymer, who enlisted the support of Andersson and Ulvaeus from the very beginning. The libretto was written in 1997 by British playwright and screenwriter Catherine Johnson at Craymer’s request. The musical premiered in 1999 at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End.
Important: Contestants are responsible for obtaining and providing all necessary musical materials and the libretto. The theatre does not supply copyright-protected materials.
Stage Dimensions and Technical Information
- Stage portal width: 10 m; height: 6 m; stage depth (excluding forestage): 12 m
- Three moving platforms (10 × 3 m each)
- Modern stage machinery, lighting, audio, video, and intercom systems
- Three movable lighting bridges (soffits) above the stage and one movable portal bridge above the forestage
- 28 hoist lines for sets and drapery elements
Competition Requirements
The competition is open to professional directors with experience in musical theatre. The proposed artistic concept must be original and never before staged in a professional theatre. Directors are responsible for independently assembling their creative teams.
Applicants are asked to submit the following documents (in Lithuanian or English, PDF format) by email to mammamia@kvmt.lt no later than September 10, 2025:
- CV of creative activity including personal data (name, address, citizenship, date of birth, contact information – email and phone number). KSMT guarantees that personal data provided will be used solely for the purposes of the competition and will not be shared with third parties.
- A copy of a personal identification document
- A description of the artistic concept of the production, including sketches of costumes and scenography
- Names and short CVs of all creative team members
Competition Timeline
- Application deadline: September 10, 2025
- Results announced: September 20, 2025
- Premiere: Spring 2026
For further information, please contact us at mammamia@kvmt.lt.
We look forward to your original and inspiring creative ideas!