OUTNOW! — International Performing Arts Festival
Stage for the next generation of performing arts
About OUTNOW!
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A Springboard for the Performing Arts
OUTNOW! is not a festival of established names — it is the stage for those who are coming. Since its founding in 1994 as a springboard by the then Junge Theater Bremen, the festival has been dedicated exclusively to female artists, groups, and collectives at the beginning of their professional careers. Since 2013, Schwankhalle and Theater Bremen have jointly organized the international festival. From May 21 to 25, 2026, OUTNOW! returns — by its own definition, poetic, political, and glamorous.
Performance, Dance, Theatre, Music Theatre
The focus is on performance, theatre, dance, and music theatre, supplemented by works from adjacent disciplines such as media and visual arts with a performative connection. The 2026 lineup includes Ametonyo Silva, Farhan Sonboldel, Kemelo Nozipho Sehlapelo, Soroa Lear, Sandyatemyheart, Benjamin Truong, and Tamira Kalmbach and Team, among others. Beyond the actual performances, workshops, audio walks, lectures, and a concluding breakfast shape the program — OUTNOW! also sees itself as a laboratory and meeting space for an international scene in transition.
Two Venues, One Festival
Performances take place at two locations: in the Schwankhalle in the Neustadt district and at Theater Bremen on Goetheplatz. The close cooperation between the two institutions gives the festival its special profile — a free, experimental venue and a large city theatre combine their strengths for artistic talent.
Rooted in Bremen's Westend
With the Schwankhalle in Neustadt and Theater Bremen in the city centre, OUTNOW! is firmly rooted in the Hanseatic cultural landscape. Bremen has always cultivated a vibrant independent scene — OUTNOW! is its most important catalyst for the next generation.
OUTNOW! — edition 2026
From May 21 to 25, 2026, OUTNOW! presents productions by emerging artists at Schwankhalle and Theater Bremen. The lineup includes Ametonyo Silva, Farhan Sonboldel, Kemelo Nozipho Sehlapelo, Soroa Lear, Sandyatemyheart, Benjamin Truong, and Tamira Kalmbach and Team, among others. Accompanying events include workshops, audio walks, lectures, and a closing breakfast.
Programme OUTNOW! 2026
OUTNOW! 2026 runs from May 21 to 25 at two venues — the Schwankhalle in Neustadt and Theater Bremen on Goetheplatz. The festival presents productions by international emerging artists and is accompanied by the lab format WHATNOW? with lectures, panels, and workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
- 7:00 PM — The Second Long Night of Unfunded Projects (Schwankhalle)
Friday, May 22, 2026
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM — Ametonyo Silva: a s s o m b r a ç ã o, collective breakfast session (Theater Bremen / Common Ground)
- 5:30 PM — Ready for it? Festival Opening, Free Admission (Theater Bremen / Common Ground)
- 6:30 PM — Farhan Sonboldel: Hybrid Calls For Small Demonstrations, Audio-Walk (Theater Bremen)
- 8:00 PM — Kemelo Nozipho Sehlapelo: COCONUT / the new white aesthetic (Schwankhalle)
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- 11:00 AM–1:30 PM — Pernille Sonne & Lisa Rykena: Spoken Dance, Workshop (fully booked)
- 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM — Farhan Sonboldel: Audio-Walk (Theater Bremen)
- 6:00 PM — Soroa Lear: This is a Lovestory (Schwankhalle)
- 7:30 PM — Sandyatemyheart: Save A Horse, Ride A Cowgirl (Theater Bremen)
Sunday, May 24, 2026
- 1:00 PM — How to Festival?, Conversation Format (Theater Bremen)
- 3:00 PM — Franziska Winkler: Schlucken, Lecture (Theater Bremen)
- 5:30 PM — Benjamin Truong: Hörst du mich? (Theater Bremen)
- 8:00 PM — Tamira Kalmbach: Mia San Mia (Schwankhalle)
Monday, May 25, 2026
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM — Over Now? Closing with vegan breakfast (Schwankhalle)
Highlights OUTNOW! 2026
Prices OUTNOW! 2026
Practical information — OUTNOW!
Venues
Schwankhalle, Buntentorsteinweg 112/116, 28201 Bremen (Neustadt). Theater Bremen, Goetheplatz 1 to 3, 28203 Bremen.
Tickets
Schwankhalle: Phone +49 421 5208070, [email protected]. Theater Bremen: Phone +49 421 3653333, [email protected].
Getting There
Both venues are easily accessible by tram and bus.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a OUTNOW! al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place OUTNOW!
Schwankhalle und Theater Bremen
Buntentorsteinweg 112/116, 28201 Bremen