Nils Haarmann On The Pandemic And Post-Pandemic Theatre

Nils Haarmann – dramaturg at the Schaubühne – responds to Grzegorz Jarzyna.

The discussion focuses on how Schaubühne responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had on its immediate and further plans, and on German theatre institutions and communities. Haarmann discusses the financial supports available in Germany for theatre professionals, basic income, as well as how the Schaubühne has been sustaining its artistic activity and the dialogue with the audience. The Schaubühne built on its archive and its pervious international activities but Haarmann also expresses his skepticism about online theatre.

Nils Haarmann addresses the questions about the theatre and the pandemic sent to theatre artists around the world as part of the 2nd International Online Theatre Festival 2020. The artists responded to the questions and each other. Each recording was passed to another director, and so on, creating an asynchronous discussion panel.

The IOTF is an annual online theatre festival, showcasing the work of diverse global artists. The 2020 festival created a digital place for exploring multiple definitions of theatrical space. It was presented in collaboration with Stanislavsky Electrotheatre, Schaubühne, Stage Russia, Ninateka and DigitalTheatre+. With the support of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, Emerson College, and all the companies who have given permission for their work to be screened and shared.