School Theatre Days 10 - 12 June 2026

Dear theater makers,

The School Theater Days will once again take place at the Theater an der Ruhr from June 10 to 12. On June 8 and 9, participating groups will have the opportunity to prepare their performances on stage during rehearsal days.

The School Theater Days offer young theater artists a space outside of the daily school routine where they can present their projects, scenes, and productions. The focus is on the joy of performing together, creative encounters, and the exchange between theater-enthusiastic students from different schools. Free from competitive pressures, a space is created where young people can learn from one another, gain new perspectives, and share their enthusiasm for theater.

At the same time, the School Theater Days aim to highlight and honor the dedicated work of teachers and group leaders. Their commitment enables young people to participate in cultural life, express themselves creatively, and gain important communal experiences.

A total of twelve theater groups from grades 5 through 12 are participating this year. Over the course of the three-day event, 214 students will be guests at the theater. It is particularly gratifying that three schools—Realschule Stadtmitte, Waldorfschule Mülheim, and Gesamtschule Bockmühle from Essen—are participating in the School Theater Days for the first time. In addition, the Gustav-Heinemann-Schule, the Willy-Brandt-Schule, the Otto-Pankok-Schule, and the Karl-Ziegler-Schule are represented.

Each group will present a roughly 30-minute excerpt from their current theater production on the stage of the Theater an der Ruhr. The program is complemented by a diverse range of workshops designed to foster exchange among the students and provide new artistic inspiration. Workshops on stage combat, creative writing, character development, dance, improvisation, and directing are among those offered.

Another special feature of the School Theater Days is an art exhibition in the theater’s foyer: throughout the week, works by a student from the Karl-Ziegler-Schule will be on display.

The School Theater Days impressively demonstrate how vibrant, diverse, and unifying theater work in schools can be. They create space for creativity, connection, and shared experiences.