PLUG&PLAY — Festival for Young Directing
International Festival for Young Directing at Staatstheater Mainz with productions from Europe and the awarding of the Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship
About PLUG&PLAY 4
PLUG&PLAY is the latest festival innovation from Staatstheater Mainz. Since 2022, the festival has brought together young directors from German-speaking countries and Europe for a condensed festival week, showcasing, discussing, and contextualizing selected productions.
The 4th edition takes place from May 14 to 17, 2026 — four days during which Mainz's theatre houses become a hub for the young European directing scene. A record: the artistic team of Staatstheater has selected six productions from 97 applications from across Europe, supplemented by a university production from one of the renowned directing study locations (Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, or Zurich). This makes the festival doubly intertwined, both internationally and institutionally.
The international contributions in 2026 come from Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, and Germany — a mix that reflects the festival's geographical focus: young, Central European, transnational. The selected productions will be shown on the stages of Staatstheater Mainz — the Großes Haus, Kleines Haus, U17, and Studio will be used depending on the format.
As part of the festival opening, the Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship 2026 will be awarded — an advancement award from Staatstheater Mainz for young directing, named after the writer Carl Zuckmayer (1896-1977), born in Mainz, whose work is closely associated with the city and the region. The scholarship includes financial support and the opportunity for a production at Staatstheater Mainz in the following season.
Following the performances, workshop discussions will be held with the directors, moderated by the dramaturgy department of Staatstheater and with the participation of expert guests from the German and European theatre scene. The discussions are public and are an integral part of the festival experience.
In just four years, PLUG&PLAY has established itself as an important platform for young European directing. Festival organizers, intendants from other houses, theatre students, and theatre enthusiasts from all over the German-speaking world travel to Mainz to scout the next generation.
PLUG&PLAY 4 — edition 2026
The complete 2026 program will be published by Staatstheater Mainz in advance. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years: Thursday evening opening with the awarding of the Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship and the first production in the Großes Haus; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, two to three performances daily on various stages of Staatstheater in parallel; workshop discussion after each performance; festival finale on Sunday evening.
Programme PLUG&PLAY 4 2026
Program Structure 2026
Thursday, May 14 — Opening
- Festival opening in the Großes Haus
- Awarding of the Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship 2026
- First international production
- Workshop discussion afterwards
Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16
- Two to three performances daily
- International contributions from Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Germany
- Workshop discussions after each performance
- Festival meeting point in the foyer
Sunday, May 17 — Finale
- Final performances
- University production
- Closing discussion and festival bar
Performance venues at Staatstheater
- Großes Haus
- Kleines Haus
- U17 Stage
- Studio Stage
Key Facts
- 97 applications for 6 spots
- 4th edition
- International productions from 4 countries
- University production in addition
- Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship
Highlights PLUG&PLAY 4 2026
- 4th edition of the festival for young directing
- 6 selected productions from 97 applications
- International contributions from IT, LU, RO, DE
- Awarding of the Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship
- Workshop discussions after each performance
- Platform for young European directing
Prices PLUG&PLAY 4 2026
Practical information — PLUG&PLAY 4
Location
Staatstheater Mainz, Gutenbergplatz 7, 55116 Mainz. Depending on the production format, the Großes Haus, Kleines Haus, U17 stage, and Studio stage will be used.
Date 2026
Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17, 2026. Opening with the awarding of the Carl Zuckmayer Scholarship 2026 on May 14.
Tickets
Single tickets and festival passes are available through the Staatstheater Mainz box office and online at staatstheater-mainz.com. Reduced prices for schoolchildren, students, and theatre students.
Workshop Discussions
After each performance, a workshop discussion with the directors, moderated by the dramaturgy department. Publicly accessible free of charge for performance attendees.
Program Overview
The detailed 2026 program will be published by Staatstheater Mainz in advance — staatstheater-mainz.com.
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