Selection 2026

The selected productions represent the diverse contexts in which young theatre is created. The works have emerged within schools and in youth theatre clubs, at state theatres and children’s and youth theatres, in groups at independent theatres, and in socio-cultural centres.

All of the full-length productions are equally powerful and sensitive, bearing witness to a social urgency that calls for them to be brought to the stage. All the young theatre-makers are united by a strong political commitment and a sense of responsibility for the future, which they express through their theatrical work. The often large ensembles represent a range of perspectives and cultural backgrounds, and it is not uncommon to hear several languages spoken on stage. The productions take us into the basement of a residential building, to Delphi before the gates of the gods, into Wonderland, into a universe of heroes, guide us through the five stages of grief, into a back house in Amsterdam, and right up to the face of death.

The productions explore coming of age in the context of flight, migration, and multiple overlapping crises. What kinds of heroes are needed today to save the world? The young artists reflect on identity formation under the influence of social media and the search for one’s place in society as a young person with and without disabilities. They address fears, grief as both a private and collective social phenomenon, and feelings of power and powerlessness. An all-male-read ensemble traces what might be termed a “male inheritance” and embarks on a search for future role models. Through engagement with the life and legacy of Anne Frank, remembrance becomes an essential form of work on the present.

The selection includes both inclusive and intergenerational productions, and there is often an active engagement with the audience. The programme features performances, music theatre with live music and original compositions, puppetry, video art, and striking physical scenes, as well as dance and choreography. Methods of documentary theatre are employed, while mythological and classical material serves as a stimulus and point of departure for developing original work and interpretations that consciously distinguish themselves from these sources. In an impressive manner, the young theatre-makers have engaged deeply with their material: they have written their own texts, conducted research, and entered into dialogue with experts during the production process. They have also contributed to costumes, set design, and video art.

In this selection, we encounter a generation of thoughtful and reflective young artists who step onto the stage with a profound sense of the urgency of their concerns. This is both striking and deeply moving.