Sophiensaele

– © Monika Rittershaus

Sophiensaele, Hochzeitssaal – © Markus Heine

Sophiensaele, Festsaal – © Joe Goergen

With its opening production of "Allee der Kosmonauten" by Sasha Walz & Guests, the Sophiensaele achieved a great deal of publicity thanks to an invitation to the theatre festival in 1997. A centre for independently produced contemporary theatre and dance projects, the Sophiensaele was founded shortly before this by Sasha Waltz, Jochen Sandig, Jo Fabian und Dirk Cislark von Lubricat, establishing a reputation ever since as an important forum for Berlin's dance scene.

Production and presentation are combined under one roof to create an ideal platform for the exchange of ideas between artists from Germany and abroad. Ongoing collaborative projects in the fields of theatre, dance and performance, as well as music and fine arts, work hand in hand and complement each other perfectly. The programme is therefore notable for stage projects that go far beyond the actual theatrical term.

Dedicated series of events such as "Freischwimmer – a platform for youth theatre" and "Tanztage Berlin" actively promote new forms of expression from up-and-coming choreographers and artists. The Sophiensaele also hosts major Berlin festivals such as "100° Berlin – the long weekend of independent theatre", "Dance in August" and "Ultra-sound - Festival of Contemporary Music".

The Sophiensaele is located in a former craftsman's workshop on Sophienstrasse right next to the famous Hackesche Höfe retail and leisure complex. The walls and ceilings of this former banqueting hall still reflect the turbulent history of the building, which was completed in 1905, and add a historical ambience to the contemporary performances. Events are also held in the Hochzeitssaal (wedding room) and the smaller Virchowsaal.