Theatertreffen

The 10 Most Remarkable Productions

from the German-language region, presented in Berlin

6.5.23.5.2027

International Forum

Open Call 2027

This Open Call for the International Forum is addressed at theatre practitioners at the beginning of their artistic practice who have already gathered some professional experience. They may be from all disciplines of the performing arts, especially from the fields of directing, acting, set and costume design, dramaturgy, text, music, video, performance, choreography and theatre education.

Around 30 artists from around the world will be invited to come to Berlin to watch theatre together, to talk, to (re-)consider, to experiment and to make connections. The fellows will have the opportunity to attend the festival, to take part in intensive workshops with international artists, to reflect together the productions invited to Theatertreffen and theatre in general and to exchange ideas.

Deadline for applications: 26 November 2026 (23:59, CET)

To the Open Call

Theatertreffen-Blog

Open Call 2027

The Open Call of the Theatertreffen-Blog is aimed at aspiring arts journalists with a keen interest in the theatre who would like to attend and critically reflect the 2027 Theatertreffen.

Detailed information will be published in December.

Announcement of the 10 Selected Productions

and Programme Schedule

The 10 most remarkable productions, selected by a jury of critics, will be announced in a press conference in January 2027. The programme schedule will be published in April.

At a Glance

Audience on the forecourt of the Haus der Berliner Festspiele

The 10 Productions

Each year, the 10 most remarkable productions are selected by a jury of critics from more than 700 shows within the German-language region and the viewing period.

More about the 10 productions

Group of people in a building overlooking a lake in the background.

International Forum

The International Forum is an initial impetus for collaboration, the search for diverse local perspectives on global issues, and a free space for developing artistic ideas together.

More about the International Forum

Silhouettes of people stand beneath trees in the evening, facing a wall illuminated in purple.

Theatertreffen-Blog

Aspiring arts journalists with a keen interest in the theatre will attend and critically reflect the Theatertreffen with the support of experienced mentors.

More about the Theatertreffen-Blog

About Theatertreffen

Every year, a jury of critics selects the 10 most remarkable productions from more than 700 productions from the German-language region to be presented in Berlin in May.

The 2027 Theatertreffen-Jury

Seven theatre critics determine the festival’s 10 most remarkable productions.

The Theatertreffen Database since 1964

The Theatertreffen’s database lists every production, theatre and director invited to the festival since 1964.

In the Media Library

In the format Starke Stücke, 3sat produced high‑quality television recordings of four productions from the 2026 Theatertreffen: Fräulein Else (Director: Leonie Böhm, Volkstheater Wien), Il Gattopardo (Director: Pınar Karabulut, Schauspielhaus Zürich), Mephisto (Director: Jette Steckel, Münchner Kammerspiele) und Wallenstein. A slaughter feast in seven courses (Director: Jan-Christoph Gockel, Münchner Kammerspiele). Together with discussions and behind the scenes from this festival edition, they are available in full lenght in the Berliner Festspiele Media Library.

To the Berliner Festspiele Media Library

An ensemble in historical costumes reminiscent of the Shakespearean era performs music onstage.

Mephisto

People sitting on deck chairs and porch swings in a garden, some alone, some in groups.

The garden of the Haus der Berliner Festspiele during Theatertreffen

Person in black coat stands barefoot on a dark stage, surrounded by chandeliers and white shoes.

Julia Riedler during the curtain call of Leonie Böhm’s "Fräulein Else"

A person in the foreground speaks to another person lying on a stage with red curtains and a chandelier.

Julia Riedler and Leonie Böhm during a pre-performance discussion of "Fräulein Else" at the Berliner Ensemble

Three people side by side, two holding an open folder with the certificate. One person has a microphone.

Team of Sebastian Hartmann’s "Serotonin" with the TT certificate

Person in white clothing in a minimalist bright room, dark silhouettes in the foreground.

Guido Lambrecht in Sebastian Hartmann’s "Serotonin"

Person with fake male torso and guitar on stage with audience in the background, people standing around.

Katharina Bach in Jan-Christoph Gockel’s "Wallenstein. A slaughter feast in seven courses"

Person stands under blue light in front of audience in large hall.

Michael Pietsch with audience on stage in Jan-Christoph Gockel’s "Wallenstein. A slaughter feast in seven courses"

Person in white top and black skirt holding bouquet and 3sat-Urkunde. Background features 'Strake Stücke' sign.

Katharina Bach at the 3sat-Award ceremony

A person speaking with a microphone on a stage, with seated people in a panel beside them.

Nora Hertlein-Hull at the Concluding Jury Discussion

People in red clothing and one person in pink outfit standing in a row. A hug is visible.

Lucia Bihler and the ensemble after "Die Welt im Rücken"

A person in underwear hands a sausage to another person at a sausage stand. Golden balloons in the background.

Kristien De Proost in Julian Hetzel’s "Three Times Left is Right"

Two people sit at a table with two water bottles, speaking into microphones.

Alfred-Kerr-Acting-Award: Winner Paulina Alpen and Juror Matthias Brandt

Berliner Festspiele / © Fabian Schellhorn

Group of people on stage, some in colorful costume clothing, others in casual attire, holding hands.

Sebastian Hartmann and the ensemble after "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick"

Two people stand on a stage; the word ‘Forum’ is projected on a screen in the background.

International Forum: Aljoscha Begrich and Sima Djabar Zadegan at "The Forum’s Forum"

Group of people in an open wooden structure overlooking a lake and green vegetation.

International Forum: The participant at Floating University

People sitting at long wooden tables in a room with large glass fronts, green trees visible outside.

The foyer of the Haus der Berliner Festspiele

Haus der Berliner Festspiele with a crowd of people outside.

Publikum vor dem Haus der Berliner Festspiele

Several actors in various costumes on a stage, woman in leather clothing speaking into microphone. Chandeliers in background.

Pınar Karabulut and the ensemble after "Il Gattopardo"

A group of actors on stage receiving applause.

Ensemble of Jette Steckel’s "Mephisto" during the curtain call

Two people seated in front of a textured, dark wall, one holding a microphone.

Drama and Discourse: Why Are the Left Also to Blame for the Right?

Group of people in formal and casual attire, one person holding flowers and a certificate.

Award Ceremony of the Theatre-Award-Berlin by Stiftung Preußische Seehandlung

Two people seated opposite each other, each holding a microphone. A water bottle and glass are on the table.

Drama and Discourse: Why Are Workers Only Classy on Stage?

Two people seated at a table with microphones and water bottles, dark background.

Mehr Drama!: Past as Present

Four people at a table with microphones, water bottles, and a white wall in the background.

Mehr Drama!: Searching for Language

Sharon Dodua Otoo in an interview

Four people sit at a table with water bottles in front of an illuminated wall.

Launch Mehr Drama!: How Long to Live, How Long to Love?

A person is holding a smartphone. On the screen, there is a red text booklet with the words “More Drama!” and “Theatertreffen.”

Programme booklet of the format “Mehr Drama!”, introduced in 2026

Two people seated at a table with microphones, water bottles, and glasses against a dark background.

Mehr Drama!: Jara Nassar and Sivan Ben Yishai in discussion

Three people on a stage, two holding microphones, one speaking, dark background.

Drama and Discourse: Why Not Create a Fair Future Instead of Wallowing in Memories?

Four people stand side by side at the front edge of the stage, holding hands and facing the audience during the applause.

Ensemble of Jaz Woodcock-Stewart’s "Die Glasmenagerie" during the curtain call

More Berliner Festspiele

Theatre, Dance, Performances

Performing Arts Season

13 October 2026 to 22 January 2027

This year's edition of the Performing Arts Season brings together outstanding international dance, theatre and performance productions by artists such as Marina Abramović, Marie Chouinard, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker / Rosas, Ictus & BL!NDMAN, Damien Jalet / Kohei Nawa, Gisèle Vienne and Dumb Type. Tickets are now on sale.

Concert, Outreach, Film Screenings

Jazzfest Berlin

29 October to 1 November 2026

With more than 130 international musicians performing in 24 acts, Jazzfest Berlin 2026 presents a multi-faceted view of the global jazz scene. The full festival programme, complete with concerts, films, jam sessions, discursive events and a range of community and outreach projects is published. Advance ticket sales are on.

Literature

Treffen junger Autor*innen

26 to 30 November 2026

This year, Treffen junger Autor*innen celebrates its 40th anniversary! For this special edition, around 500 young writers from across Germany submitted their work, more than 100 persons more than last year. Tickets are on sale now.

Handwritten white text on black background: Es ist nicht mehr mein Problem! Macht eure Scheiße alleine.

Gropius Bau | Exhibition

Christoph Schlingensief

Es ist nicht mehr mein Problem, macht eure Scheiße alleine

9. Oktober 2026 bis 17. Januar 2027

Over the course of his artistic career, Christoph Schlingensief relentlessly confronted the absurdities of the present. As the most comprehensive presentation of his work in Germany in over a decade, the exhibition at Gropius Bau sheds light on his visionary, genre-defying body of work.

1.5.17.5.2026

Theatertreffen

The 10 Most Remarkable Productions

International Forum

Theatertreffen-Blog

Announcement of the 10 Selected Productions

At a Glance

The 10 Productions

International Forum

Theatertreffen-Blog

About Theatertreffen

The 2027 Theatertreffen-Jury

The Theatertreffen Database since 1964

In the Media Library

Theatertreffen 2026

More Berliner Festspiele

Performing Arts Season

Jazzfest Berlin

Treffen junger Autor*innen

Christoph Schlingensief