The Junges Schauspielhaus Zürich is kicking off the 2025/2026 season with new artistic leadership and plenty of energy. Theatre is more than just a room with a stage – it is a place where anything is possible.
Together with you, we will embark on a journey of discovery and learn to encounter, question and love theatre in all its forms. Loud, quiet, moving, irritating, funny, profound – theatre can be so many things! Sometimes the focus is on language, sometimes on movement or music. In any case, it is the interplay of all conceivable and inconceivable elements that makes theatre so magical. We invite you to experience the many forms and facets of theatre from different perspectives and to take a look behind the scenes. We pick up on topics that are ‘in the air’ and bring them to the stage as contemporary spoken theatre. In this way, we attract people to the theatre who have had little contact with this art form before, as well as those who are already in the audience or on stage themselves.
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
Come join the gangs!
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.
Open Stage
Every last Saturday of the month, from October to April, the theatre year invites you to the Open Stage at the Schiffbau Matchbox. Here, young people can perform 10-minute pieces in front of an audience. The focus is on trying things out, exchanging ideas, networking – and celebrating!
final project
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
Immerse yourself in the world of theatre during the school holidays, take a look behind the scenes and perform with other children. The course is aimed at children aged 8 to 12.
Future Day
On 13 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
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.
DJ Workshop
On 21 September, we're going to rock the Schiffbau! Under the guidance of an experienced DJ, you'll learn how to mix and scratch. Who knows, maybe you'll be DJing at the next premiere party? For everyone born between 2007 and 2015.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., MATCHBOX
Free admission. The number of places is limited. Registration until 15 September 2025 at: jungesschauspielhaus@schauspielhaus.ch
FULLY BOOKED
Welcome ASSITEJ
The Junges Schauspielhaus invites you to network with professional theatre makers for children's and youth theatre from Zurich.
26.09.2025 at 6 p.m. in the Matchbox.
Registration until 25 September at: jungesschauspielhaus@schauspielhaus.ch
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.
