PLUG&PLAY — Festival for Young Directing

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.