Open Stage | Nesin İstasyon

Open Stage:
A Collective Stage for Emerging Artists

Open Stage (Açık Sahne) is a youth-led performance platform initiated by İstasyon: Nesin Köyleri Derneği. It brings together young artists—many of whom first encountered each other through Nesin Villages' artistic programs—offering them space to express themselves and grow as a community through the arts.

The project unfolds in the form of a six-month journey, grounded in nonviolent communication, art therapy, and mentorship. Participants aged 18–29 receive training to explore their artistic language while nurturing emotional well-being and interpersonal trust within the collective. From storytelling and dance to music and theater, the project culminates in a public “open stage” night hosted at the Tosun Terzioğlu Amphitheater in Şirince, attended by summer school students and village residents.

Open Stage is an EU-funded project supported by the ELELE Support Grant Program.

This project aims to provide young artists—aged 18 to 29 and at the early stages of their careers—with a platform to gain stage experience through working with expert mentors in their respective fields.

Initially imagined as a small performance stage in Nesin Village, the project—now called İstasyon Sahne—eventually found its home at Alan Kadıköy, a venue that not only served as a hub for our network but also helped us revive the sense of unity we often lose after leaving the village and struggle to find again in the city.

On this open stage, where a wide range of performing arts is showcased—from storytelling to dance, theater to music—young artists enjoy the opportunity to express themselves and share their talents.

At its core, the project is built on the belief that young artists should be supported and empowered at the beginning of their artistic journeys. Therefore, before stepping onto the stage, the participating 18–29-year-olds—brought together under the roof of Nesin Villages Association—receive training in nonviolent communication and art therapy. These trainings help lay the foundation for building a strong and compassionate community while also supporting artists in discovering their unique forms of creative expression.

The art camp provides an intimate space for participants to explore themselves and learn methods of artistic expression. After the camp, four selected artists work one-on-one with their mentors to prepare for their stage performances. The organization of the performance night is also handled by members of the association, ensuring that the young artists are involved in every aspect of the process—reinforcing our sense of collective ownership.

The final İstasyon Sahne event invites not only young participants of Nesin Village’s summer school but also members of surrounding communities and anyone interested in attending. In this way, local residents become part of a living art experience, while young artists enjoy performing without the burden of navigating the often stressful and vulnerable process of securing an audience.

This project aims to foster not only individual but also organizational empowerment. Throughout the process, we actively identify the needs of young artists and support them, helping to establish more sustainable artistic practices and relationships.

Open Stage has grown into a platform where dreams come to life, young artists are supported, and our community grows stronger. We believe this journey will continue, and we hope to bring many more impactful projects to life in the future!

Nonviolent Communication Trainings

In September, we received an online Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training from dear Özenç Kabasakal. Over five sessions, we explored the four pillars of NVC, practiced identifying communication patterns that block compassion, and developed empathy-based connection skills through hands-on exercises.

Art Camp

As the second phase of the Açık Sahne project—supported by the EU ELELE Grant Program—we returned to Nesin Villages for a one-week Art Camp. The camp featured dance and movement workshops by Cansu Ergin, storytelling-based practices by Nazlı Çevik Azazi, and music-centered discussions by Tuncay Korkmaz, along with surprise pop-up sessions by Randy Esen. Following the camp, young artists participating in the project began working with their mentors to prepare for their upcoming performances.

İstasyon Stage

After a three-month process that began with Nonviolent Communication Training, continued with the Art Camp and mentorship sessions, the project culminated in a final performance night titled İstasyon Sahne, held at Alan Kadıköy just before the new year. The journey of these young artists—who first met through Nesin Villages and sought to find their own voices beyond the rigid expectations of mainstream education—finally reached the heart of Istanbul.

It was a day full of excitement that reminded us once again that classical academic training is not always sufficient for authentic artistic creation—and that alternative, collaborative methods like these are not just valuable, but essential.