Even before the Zoogesellschaftshaus becomes a large municipal children's and youth theater, the Junge Theaterwerkstatt am Zoo and the English Theatre Frankfurt (ETF) are already transforming the venue into Frankfurt's new theater center.
Now that the current venue for the ETF in the Gallileo high-rise building on Gallusanlage has been secured by the City of Frankfurt, the Junge Theaterwerkstatt am Zoo in the Zoogesellschaftshaus has also found a location for the ETF during the renovation period.
"In preparation for the upcoming children's and youth theater, the Junge Theaterwerkstatt am Zoo is currently moving into the rooms of the former Fritz-Rémond-Theater. The model project initiated jointly by the Mousonturm, the independent scene and the city will offer theater for children and young people directly at the zoo from this summer. And the English Theatre Frankfurt has now also found its temporary home here," explains Ina Hartwig, Head of Cultural Affairs. "I am very pleased about this exciting collaboration between ETF, Mousonturm and the children's and youth theater scene and I am sure that this cooperation and mutual support in the scene will serve as a model for our city."
Anna Wagner and Marcus Droß, directors of Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm, also emphasize the added value of the future collaboration: "Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm, English Theatre Frankfurt and all cooperation partners of the Junge Theaterwerkstatt bring their structural knowledge, artistic commitment and competent teams to the collaboration. Even before the Zoogesellschaftshaus becomes a new and special theater venue for young audiences from the entire Rhine-Main region with the Children's and Youth Theater, it is already the place of a clever and passionate alliance of actors who significantly shape and enrich theater in Frankfurt for all generations in the most diverse ways."
Fiona Louis, Chair of the Paradiesvogel association, adds: "The Paradiesvogel association of the independent scene for young audiences is delighted to be able to support the English Theatre in its situation. In the spirit of our commitment to a diverse Frankfurt with an equally diverse theater landscape, we hope for special encounters in this new constellation."
The children's and youth theatre program starts in August at the Zoogesellschaftshaus and is put together by the team of the Junge Theaterwerkstatt am Zoo and the Mousonturm, in cooperation with the "TheaterGrueneSosse" and "Paradiesvogel - Frankfurter Modell der eigenständigen Theatergruppen für Junges Publikum". In addition to the latest performances by theater makers for young audiences from Frankfurt, Germany and all over the world, there will be a summer workshop as well as ongoing meetings and courses with offers for participation and do-it-yourself that enable art experience, participation and empowerment at eye level. On Sunday, March 3, the Junge Theaterwerkstatt am Zoo will open its doors for the first time in advance for a family Sunday (free admission) and open day with free workshops, children's art cinema, a live radio show and guided tours from the costume warehouse to the lighting technology.
Until then, the ETF can continue with its plays and events planned for the 2023/2024 season, such as StreitClub and Poetry Slam. The ETF is already presenting its first premiere at the Zoogesellschaftshaus in April, as artistic director Daniel Nicolai reveals: "We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Theaterwerkstatt, which will enable us to continue the 2023/2024 season at the Theater am Zoo with confidence. In March, things will continue with enthusiasm: first, the ETF Education Department will present the play 'Kindertransport' as well as the usual range of theater workshops for children and young people. And in April, we will celebrate the premiere of the animal comedy 'Sylvia', which will alternately cause raised eyebrows and side stitches."
The ETF will perform on the rehearsal stages, foyers and the stage of the Theaterwerkstatt in two further longer blocks until the end of 2025. All young people who take part in the ongoing club and workshop offerings of the Junge Theaterwerkstatt will also be able to use the rehearsal and workshop stages during the ETF's performance times. In addition, the ETF team will support their colleagues at the Theaterwerkstatt.
The Junge Theaterwerkstatt am Zoo is a project of Künstler*innen Mousonturm in cooperation with TheaterGrueneSosse and Paradiesvogel, funded by the Department of Culture and Science and in collaboration with the English Theatre Frankfurt.
