MADE.Festival — Theater der freien Szene Hessen

Independent Scene — four cities, one festival

Since 2009, the MADE.Festival has been bringing the best of Hesse's independent performing arts to the region's stages. It is organized by laPROF Hessen e. V., the state association for professional independent performing arts. Unlike a classic city theatre festival, MADE brings together artists and companies that produce independently — resulting in work that is more experimental, riskier, and multi-voiced in terms of theme and aesthetics.

8th Edition — and Offenbach Joins

2026 marks the 8th edition of the biennial format. New: Offenbach will be integrated as a full-fledged venue for the first time — in addition to the established locations of Frankfurt am Main, Darmstadt, and Wiesbaden. The festival thus doubles its geographical reach in the Rhine-Main region.

«WER mit WEM?» — The Festival Motto

The 2026 motto is programmatic: «WER mit WEM?» (Who with Whom?). It questions the relational networks and collaborations that define contemporary theatre work — between artists and the city, between generations, between disciplines. Eight selected theatre works by Hessian artists form the main program.

Form Beyond Spoken Theatre

The program ranges from audiowalks and performances to music theatre and public space interventions. Discussions, workshops, and lectures complement the performances — the festival sees itself as a discursive space for the scene and its audience.

In the Spirit of World Design Capital 2026

In 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain will bear the title World Design Capital — and MADE is a program partner. Designers and theatre makers will meet in joint formats, with the city itself becoming both the stage and the material.