FAIRSTAGE Conference 2025

Under the motto ‘Now more than ever! Strategies for a resilient theatre landscape’, actors from the Berlin theatre scene and cultural policy practice will come together to exchange ideas on current challenges, possible solutions and perspectives for solidarity.


Current developments in cultural policy are putting many of the hard-won advances in fair working conditions, diversification and anti-discrimination in the theatre to the test: cuts, structural uncertainties and the shift to the right in society threaten existing structures as well as their further development.

The two-day conference offers panels, workshops and exchange formats that explore the question of how good working conditions and institutional transformation can be achieved even in times of crisis, and what strengthens theatre makers in remaining capable of action and solidarity.

To kick things off, Nuran David Calis, Simone Dede Ayivi, Dr Justus Duhnkrack and Anica Happich will discuss the effects of the shift to the right in society on theatre practice and what political, artistic and structural impulses theatre can provide today. Fatima Çalışkan will moderate.

Under the title ‘Theatre. Work. Transformation’, Luise Würth, co-director of FAIRSTAGE, will present the key findings of the survey on personnel and organisation in Berlin's theatres. Lars Zühlke (HAU Hebbel am Ufer) and Alina Gause (Theater im Palais) will then talk about current challenges and strategies for organisational development.

In the discussion round ‘State of Diversity,’ Leyla Ercan, Christina Schulz, Jens Hilje and Ramona Unterberg – moderated by Anujah Fernando – will discuss strategies for securing and further developing diversity-oriented structures. The central question is: How can the conference title ‘Now more than ever’ be turned into a resistant and institutional practice?


Participation is free of charge, but registration is required by 12 October 2025.


(Language: German)