The Junge Schauspielhaus Zürich is launching the 2025/2026 season with a new artistic leadership team and a surge of fresh energy. Theater is more than just a room with a stage—it is a space where anything can become possible.
Together with you, we are embarking on a journey of discovery. We want to encounter, question, and learn to love theater in all its forms. Loud, quiet, moving, jarring, funny, profound—theater can be so many things! Sometimes language takes center stage; other times, it’s movement or music. In every case, it is the interplay of all elements—both imaginable and unimaginable—that creates the magic of the stage. We invite you to experience the many facets of theater from different perspectives and to take a peek behind the scenes. We reach for the themes "in the air" and bring them to the stage as contemporary spoken theater. In doing so, we aim to attract those who have had little contact with this art form, as well as those who are already regulars in the audience or on the stage themselves.
Our vision is to make the Junge Schauspielhaus a vibrant meeting point—a place for lively exchange between the audience and theater makers, both locally and beyond. We are intentionally building bridges to the main program of the Schauspielhaus Zürich. Our schedule is interwoven with thematic blocks that connect and inspire both programs. Thinking, talking, celebrating, and creating something new together—that is what we look forward to. Complex topics and diverse realities are just as much a part of this as the joy of creativity and connection. We stand for a discrimination-sensitive attitude and are committed to openness toward various theatrical forms and perspectives.
The Junge Schauspielhaus Zürich offers space for bold ideas, open dialogue, and inspiring encounters. Let’s head out on this journey together—curious, open, and optimistic. The adventure begins now!
The Junge Schauspielhaus is supported by the Ernst Göhner Stiftung, the Elisabeth Weber Stiftung, and the Komplizen Klub.
Co-leadership
We are Johanna Benrath, Elo Göldi and Lea Niedermann. Together, we curate a high-quality artistic programme for young audiences at the Schiffbau Matchbox. As co-directors, we will open doors to contemporary topics, provide fresh impetus and continue to develop the theatre together with the audience. Our main task is to introduce children, young people and those who are less familiar with theatre to the magic of this place, to awaken their curiosity about the processes on and behind the stage, and to actively involve them in shaping the theatre.
MANAGEMENT JUNGES SCHAUSPIELHAUS
Johanna Benrath, Elo Göldi, Lea Niedermann
jungesschauspielhaus@schauspielhaus.ch
netzwerk wildi blaatere
Together with seven other theatre professionals, we have been producing contemporary spoken theatre in Zurich under the name netzwerk wildi blaatere (nwb) since 2019. We find our content in the world of everyday myths and pop culture, from which we develop plays for young people and/or adults. At the heart of nwb's work is the encounter and exchange with the audience, the joy of theatre-making as a team sport and theatre as a space of infinite possibilities. We have always kept our eyes open for potential collaborators – whether they are in the theatre or out in the city.
Through our many years of work with nwb, we have been able to put down roots in Zurich. Together with school representative Antonia Andreae, we, as the management team of the Junges Schauspielhaus, have access to a network of diverse actors and can make the theatre accessible to new audiences. In the first season, director and choreographer Mable Preach, who has been working primarily in Hamburg's youth culture scene for many years, skilfully combining education and entertainment, will also complement the programme with her own production. We are looking forward to this first opportunity to extend the Junges Schauspielhaus network beyond national borders!
Banden
Our programmes for children and young people encourage them to get creative and try their hand at theatre in a fun and playful way. In the ‘Banden’ – the Schauspielhaus’s former youth clubs – young people can try their hand at the many different aspects of theatre on a weekly basis, both on stage and behind the scenes.
These are the gangs
Fancy doing some theatre? Performing on stage at the Schauspielhaus? Or would you rather get creative behind the scenes? Then the Schauspielhaus groups are just the thing for you.
You are welcome to register for the next season from August 2026.
This season, there are three groups for people aged 14–24.
PERFORMING: Drama, acting techniques, text work
MOVEMENT: Dance, movement, performance
BEHIND THE SCENES: Technical work, set design, costumes, dramaturgy
Spoken Theatre Gang
DIE ROTTE
WAS IST ROT UND STEHT IM WALD?
Premiere: 8 May 2026, Schiffbau Matchbox
Additional performances: 9 & 10 May 2026, Schiffbau Matchbox
WITH: Malika Ahmadi, Silvana Beer, Felipa Bärtschi, Carlotta Endras, Naliyah Gelmi, Julitta Gregori, Chantal Grimmer, Anton Hasting-Benezri, Jess Kennel, Aleksandria Komogorova, Katharina Marinho Konrad, Aglaja Markstahler, Stella Marucci, Vanessa Nittner, Stella Rinderknecht, Sandrine Schurtenberger, Aurelia Venere, Nelly Wrage
CO-DIRECTORS: Ali Napoé, Florian Lampert
STAGE: Malin Speicher
COSTUME: Anna-Thea Jäger & Rosanna Löw
LIGHTING: Rasmus Stahel
SOUND / VIDEO: Steve Laurent Graf
THEATRE YEAR: Eren Arda Vural
Movement Theatre Gang
VERBINDUNG AUFGEHOBEN
Premiere: 22 May 2026, Schiffbau Matchbox
Further performance dates: 23 & 25 May 2026, Schiffbau Matchbox
WITH: Daiana Amstalden, Zohar Biran, Bianca Galliani, Tamara Hofstetter, Nicolas Holzhausen, Manuel Huggenberger, Ayse Karadag, Mila La Roche, Leo Röttele, Samira Ruschetta, Nora Teuscher, Aira Venzi
CO-DIRECTORS: Ali Napoé, Lea Oltmanns
STAGE: Lioba Lea Bangert
COSTUME: Sandra-Laura Axinte
MUSIC: Linus Maria Hausammann
LIGHTING: Rasmus Stahel
SOUND / VIDEO: Steve Laurent Graf
THEATRE YEAR: Maïmouna Abou Aw
OUTSIDE EYE: Yuvviki Dioh, Nina Rühmeier
Behind The Scenes gang
HAUNTED HOUSE
Showing: 8 May 2026
With: Anna Rappazzo, Martin Rudolph, Percy Francis Cahn von Seelen, Tiger Yousofi
Co-directors: Sarah Büchel, Nicole Heri
Theaterjahr
The theatre year at Schauspielhaus Zurich offers five young people the opportunity to immerse themselves intensively in theatre work. They are part of the Schauspielhaus throughout the entire season and work in the Junges Schauspielhaus department. In this role, they actively support educational work by, for example, helping to organise workshops for school classes. They also complete an internship in an area of their choice, such as directing, costume design or set design. This gives them a wide range of insights into the creative and organisational processes behind the scenes. In addition, they gain experience in other departments, such as the workshops, communications and the operations office, during internships lasting several weeks.
The theatre year 25/26 consists of Maïmouna Abou Aw Bräm, Eren Arda Vural, Neftalem Tewelde Tekeste, Linus Maria Hausammann und Anouk Wieland.
contact: theaterjahr@schauspielhaus.ch
© Binta Kopp
Open Stage
Once a month, the Theaterjahr invites you to the OFFENE BÜHNE [Open Stage] at the Matchbox in the Schiffbau. You can sing, dance, put on a theatre performance, hold a poetry slam, play games with the audience, or do something completely different – anything goes! You get ten minutes to make the stage your moment. There’s also a bar!
You can either sign up in advance by emailing theaterjahr@schauspielhaus.ch or just drop by on the night and join in.
Admission is free, but places are limited – we look forward to seeing you!
final project
After a year spent gaining insights into every aspect of theatre, the Theaterjahr is given the opportunity to stage their own production.
I’M JUST HERE FOR THE KISSES
BY AND WITH: Maïmouna Abou Aw, Eren Arda Vural,
Linus Maria Hausammann and Anouk Wieland
SCHIFFBAU MATCHBOX
WORLD PREMIERE: 20.06.2026
Further performances: 21 & 22 June 2026
Look inside
Various offers for children and young people provide special opportunities to become active in the theatre themselves
and to try things out in a playful way. The Future Day and the holiday courses are aimed specifically at school children who would like to get to know the theatre as a workplace and experience the theatre not just from the audience for a
day. We want to show how many people work in the theatre in different areas and that theatre is a collection of talents and strengths.
Vacation course
During the school holidays (9 February 2026–13 February 2026), immerse yourself in the world of theatre, take a look behind the scenes and perform with other children. The course is aimed at children aged 8 to 12.
A look back at the last holiday theatre course (9 February 2026–13 February 2026): MONDSCHEIN UND LÖWE
Would you like to immerse yourself in the fantastic world of Shakespeare, which he created over 400 years ago? In our theatre course MONDSCHEIN UND LÖWE, we will perform scenes from the famous A Midsummer Night's Dream and experience a magical journey through the enchanted forest together. From craftsmen and fairies to the royal couple: each character has their own surprises and challenges, which you will discover together with your fellow actors.
What makes this course special is that SOMMERNACHTSTRAUM is being rehearsed by stage professionals at the Schauspielhaus theatre at the same time! So you can experience first-hand how even great actors throw themselves into this enchanting story. Who knows, maybe you'll even get a few tips from the professionals or see the magic of the stage from a new perspective.
At the end of the holiday week, we invite your family and friends to an exclusive performance where you can present the scenes and characters you have created.
Future Day
In November, the Schauspielhaus Zürich theatre will open its doors to pupils in Years 5 and 6, giving them a chance to explore its offices, workshops and rehearsal rooms. Learn about a wide range of theatre professions first-hand and discover this exciting place of work!
youth dramaturgy
Are you aged between 12 and 16 and wondering how a play makes its way from the page to the stage? As a youth dramaturg, you’ll experience this process up close. From the first group reading of the script right through to one of the final rehearsals, you’ll be involved over five days of rehearsals and help shape the production.
Open Acting Training
Every month, a member of the Schauspielhaus ensemble provides insights into theatre techniques. Whether it's stage presence, voice training, movement or improvisation tips – here you'll find new ideas and inspiration. For anyone aged 16 and over who wants to get a taste of the stage, experience theatre up close or get to know the professionals behind the scenes. You can find the current data in our programme.
Specials
As part of other special offers for children and young people, there is the opportunity to experience the theatre as a very special place of adventure.
Doppelspiel
Our Doppelspiel is more than just spectatorship. While the adults sit and watch the show, the kids discover the same show behind the scenes. In playful workshops, children engage the themes of the performance in an age-appropriate manner. Dates for Doppelspiel workshops can be found in the monthly performance schedule and on the website. Doppelspiel is for children between the ages of 7 and 12.
REGISTRATION: jungesschauspielhaus@schauspielhaus.ch
At night in the theatre
Once a year, ‘A Night at the Theatre’ gives young people the chance to spend the night on stage!
