23th to 26th October 2025

Würzburger Improtheaterfestival

About the Festival

The Würzburger Improtheaterfestival is one of the best-known events in the improv theater scene in Europe and an integral part of Würzburg's cultural landscape. What began as a daring experiment has become an established and internationally renowned event. Organized by volunteers, the event promotes the diversity of improvised theater and presents it to the audience at Würzburg in a varied show program.

The next festival will take place from October 23th to 26th 2025!

Programme

SHOW APPLICATION

We are planning a varied show programme and you can help to shape it!
You have a show format that you want to present at the Würzburger Improtheaterfestival? You can apply until May 18^th. We are looking forward to your submissions!

Apply with a show format

Workshops

We’ll be introducing this year’s workshop leaders here soon! We’re really looking forward to our inspiring international guests and their topics! There will be three workshops, each with 12 hours of content – plus a special lab, which we’ll share more about soon!

Conditions of participation

Code of Conduct
We have developed a short code of conduct to ensure that everybody feels safe and happy and can get the most out of their experience at the Würzburger Improtheaterfestival. Reading through this code will give you an idea of our festival philosophy and values.

Cancellation of your workshop place
Until July 31st you can cancel your workshop spot and we will refund your festival fee minus an administrative fee of 30 Euros. If you cancel your spot after July 31st, we can only refund your participation fee minus the administrative fee of 30 Euro if we can fill your place - you are also welcome to suggest a person.

Liability
No liability can be accepted for self-inflicted accidents, wardrobe, damage to property and lost items.

Level

1. Experienced

I rehearse with an ensemble on a regular basis, and have experience performing improvisation on the stage. I have participated in some impro workshops.

2. Advanced

I perform regularly on stage and I rehearse on a regular basis with a fixed ensemble. I have been involved in introducing performance formats to the place where I primarily improvise, either by developing these or by introducing these from elsewhere. I’ve introduced others into improvisation, either through beginner training or mentoring newer players in an ensemble.

3. Professional

I perform regularly on stage and I rehearse on a regular basis with a fixed ensemble. I have developed formats and presented these formats in cities outside of the one I’m based in. I have a professional approach to my improvisational work. I’ve developed others in improvisation, by offering advanced training on multiple occasions, or by coaching ensembles.

The level system helps us building homogeneous workshop groups to ensure that everybody gets the most out of their workshop experience. Please make an honest and self-critical assessment of which level best suits you. We reserve the right to cancel bookings whose level does not match the stated level of the workshop.

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Childcare

For the little ones, so the big ones can play

Would you like to participate in one of our workshops, but your children can't be left alone yet? This year, we're offering childcare! Children aged four and above can participate in the service. The structure of the service will be tailored according to the age of the registered children. Here are the conditions:

Your child is four years old or older.
We will only provide care during workshop times.
If you only want to use the service for part of the workshop time, you can also book a half-day time slot.
We offer a total of four time slots for childcare (Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning).
Cost: €25 per time slot -> full workshop time: €100.

If you would like to book childcare, first book your desired workshop on Yesticket. In the confirmation email, there will be a link to a form. Fill it out and indicate that you would like to book childcare. We will then clarify everything with you via email. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@improtheaterfestival.de!

Foto: Inês Pimentel from Unsplash

Festival-Guide

If you would like to take part in the festival, you will find various information and all kinds of interesting facts in the festival guide. We will add to the guide during the year. If there is still an open question, just contact us.

Code of Conduct

We have developed a short code of conduct to ensure that everybody feels safe and happy and can get the most out of their experience at the Würzburger Improtheaterfestival. Reading through this code will give you an idea of our festival philosophy and values.

Schedule

Coming soon

Directions & Parking

Workshop application

How does the registration work?

You can simply book your desired workshop via Yesticket. Please note the different levels!
Afterwards we will ask for some information through a form (e.g. if you prefer vegan food or if you don't tolerate gluten). The additional information will help us to make the festival run as smoothly as possible for everyone.

Can you book me accommodation in the youth hostel?

Unfortunately, this is not possible this year. If you want to stay overnight at the youth hostel, you can book a place there yourself. Please note the regulations for overnight stays in youth hostels, especially the youth hostel pass, which can be purchased for only half a year. Guests from abroad need a foreign youth hostel pass.

I didn't get a workshop spot. Is there a waiting list?

If you did not get a place, you can set yourself on the waiting list of our ticket system Yesticket. You will then automatically get a mail if a spot opens up.

What happens if I have to cancel my participation?

Until July 31st you can cancel your workshop spot and we will refund your festival fee minus an administrative fee of 30 Euros. If you cancel your spot after July 31st, we can only refund your participation fee minus the administrative fee of 30 Euro if we can fill your place - you are also welcome to suggest a person. In case of cancellation, please contact us by mail.

Around the festival

Where does the festival take place?

The festival takes place mainly in and around the Jugendkulturhaus Cairo (Fred-Josef-Platz 3, 97082 Würzburg). The workshops will be at the Cairo, the elementary school, the church and the Youth Hostel, which are all nearby and within walking distance - here and there including some stairs and unfortunately barrier-free only to a limited extent. The shows in the evening take place at different venues in Würzburg. These are best reached on foot or by public transport.

When should I arrive?

Many participants already travel to our traditional opening gala. This always takes place on the Thursday evening before the festival weekend. We are happy if you are there. Of course you can also arrive on Friday for the workshops. Before the workshops you can arrive comfortably at the Cairo. While enjoying some snacks you can get to know the other participants and the festival team and clarify open questions. After a welcome we will start with the workshops. You can find the exact times in the schedule.

Which meals are included in the festival fee?

The festival package includes the following meals:

Friday: Dinner at the hostel
Saturday: Lunch and dinner at the youth hostel
Sunday: Breakfast provided by the festival team at the Jugendkulturhaus Cairo

In the youth hostel, water and juice will be provided free of charge with the meals. During the social program (e.g. coffee breaks, get together) you can buy drinks for little money.

Are tickets for the shows included in the festival package?

No. Since several shows are offered in parallel on the evenings, they run separately via Yesticket. As a workshop participant you can buy tickets at a reduced price. We will remind you in time by mail about the beginning of the presale. Please get your tickets for the shows of your choice early, as the shows are often sold out.

Is it possible to help out with the festival?

Yes! We are very happy for your support! Just send an email and we will get back to you.