Festival Theaterformen 2026

Theaterformen — International Stage for Contemporary Theatre

The Festival Theaterformen is one of Germany's most renowned theatre festivals and has established itself since its founding in 1990 as a central platform for international contemporary theatre, performance, and dance. The festival takes place biennially, alternating between Braunschweig and Hannover — in 2026, Braunschweig is once again the host. With its consistently international program, it brings artists from all over the world to Lower Saxony and offers the local audience a unique insight into the diversity of contemporary stage work.

14 Productions, 14 Countries

The 2026 edition presents 14 productions from 14 different countries. This internationality is a hallmark of the festival — artists from Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Iran, Germany, France, India, and the USA stand side by side. The spectrum ranges from drama to dance, performance, and choreography, as well as interdisciplinary works that transcend the classic divisions of stage arts. The invited productions often address current political and social issues — from post-colonialism and the climate crisis to gender issues.

Former Rennelberg Prison — New Venue

For the first time in 2026, the festival will use the former Rennelberg prison as a venue. The historic buildings of the former correctional facility offer an extraordinary architectural and atmospheric setting, particularly suitable for experimental and site-specific productions. The decision to open up a new venue is part of the festival's consistent expansion strategy and underscores its ambition not to be confined to traditional theatre spaces.

Farewell Festival Anna Mülter

The 2026 festival is the last edition under the direction of artistic director Anna Mülter, who has shaped the festival in recent years with high artistic profiling, intelligent international collaborations, and a programmatic opening up of new venues. With this farewell festival, she once again honours her vision — a vision that has significantly strengthened the festival's international standing.

A Festival, A City Experience

Theaterformen is not just a series of performances, but a city experience. Between shows, there are discussions, workshops, artist talks, and festival parties. International visitors, industry professionals from the theatre scene, and the local audience mingle to create an open atmosphere that embodies the spirit of the festival.