Würzburger Improtheaterfestival 2024

Clever games and silly stories? Unicorns, elves and happily ever after? That’s the easy stuff, but we all know there's much more to improvised theatre than fluff and fun.
While in scripted theater we can carefully craft our scenes, in impro, searching for meaning and questioning the status quo is much more daunting! Avoiding controversial or painful topics might seem like a wise choice, but in doing so our scene work pays a price. We rarely explore relevant topics, make political commentary or expose fears and injustices. And we may miss the chance to discover something about our humanity.
The Würzburger Improtheaterfestival 2024 devotes itself to material we often avoid. The stories, subjects and characters we shy away from. We’ll explore and deepen how to approach areas artistically and respectfully that we usually tiptoe around for fear of offending. We’ll play scenes that often escape us because of a lack of support and skill. We’ll attempt to make the audience laugh, but also cry, tingle and reflect upon their lives.
Unicorns and elves are still welcome though. We know they have deeper truths to reveal than just pooping rainbows and frolicking around.

Programme

Shows & Tickets

Advance sale starts september 12th!

International Opening Gala: MaestroTM | Mainfranken Theater | GE & EN

International Opening Gala: MaestroTM

Spectacular competition to kick off the festival

Thursday, 24th October 2024
Beginn: 8.30 PM // Admission: 8.00 PM
Venue: Mainfranken Theater, Kleines Haus
In English and German

Tickets

It is the gladiator fight of improvised theater. Because who stands triumphantly in the spotlight at the end is decided by no one other than the audience. Don't worry, no one will be wounded. But the stakes are high: only one actor can claim the coveted prize money of five euros - and the title of "Maestro"! This year we will again open the Würzburg Impro Theater Festival with this classic show and invite the crème de la crème of our festival guests on stage. Let the games begin!

Direction: Lena Försch and Kerstin Manz-Kelm
Music: Steffen Brinkmann

Price:
In advance: 20,00 Euro (15,00 Euro reduced) plus advanced booking fee
Box office: 25,00 Euro (20,00 Euro reduced)

Foto: Patty Varasano

Note on accessibility: The Kleine Haus is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchair spaces are available.

Double Feature: Loophole & Pants On Fire | Theaterhalle am Dom | EN

Double Feature: Loophole & Pants On Fire

The international stars of the festival present two shows exploring what brings people together and what pulls them apart

Friday, 25th October 2024
Start: 8:30 PM // Admission: 8 PM
Venue: Theaterhalle am Dom
In English

Tickets

Inbal Lori (Tel Aviv/Israel) and Raschid Daniel Sidgi (Weimar/Germany) will challenge each other to create their own soundtrack during the show by making loops with the musical instruments they have on stage. They will also share stories, thoughts and monologues around their perspective on life and combine their similar rhythm and groove into the collage of scenes that they call The Loophole. The two actors come from very different backgrounds, however they found incredible similarities in their experience of the world, some of which they will share with you on stage.

Pants on Fire is an evening of improvisation based on believable lies and unbelievable true stories. These Universal stories connect the audience and performers through similar experiences around recognizable themes while challenging the audience to discover the liar in our group. If successful, the audience could try their luck and skill by offering their own stories to deceive us – possibly winning a prize.

“Pants on Fire“ is created by Shawn Kinley (Calgary/Canada) and performed by an international cast.

Music: Raschid Daniel Sidgi

Price:
In advance: 18,00 Euro (13,00 Euro reduced) plus advanced booking fee
Box office: 23,00 Euro (18,00 Euro reduced)

Foto: Inbal Lori

Note on accessibility: The Theaterhalle am Dom is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchair spaces are available.

Lippmann & Partner | Cairo | DE

Lippmann & Partner

Tauchen Sie ein in die Welt eines Familienunternehmens bei dieser Performance der etwas anderen Art

Friday, 25th October 2024
Start: 8.30 PM // Admission: 8.00 PM
Venue: Cairo
In German

Tickets

In dieser improvisierten Performance sind Sie zu Gast bei der Firma Lippmann & Partner, einem etablierten Familienunternehmen mit Standorten weltweit. Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Sie haben einen der begehrten Plätze im Assessment Center erhalten und dürfen sich Hoffnungen auf einen Arbeitsvertrag machen sowie einen Blick hinter die Kulissen des mysteriösen Unternehmens werfen. Werden Sie der Führungsriege gefallen?

Achtung: Es ist zu jedem Zeitpunkt erlaubt, die Vorstellung zu verlassen. Vorzeitiger Abbruch Ihres Besuchs bei Lippmann & Partner berechtigt jedoch nicht zur vollständigen oder teilweisen Rückerstattung des Eintrittspreises.

Entwickelt von Nadine Antler (Hausen am Hohen Meißner) und Lena Försch (Mainz)
Musik: Ebbi Grözinger

Price:
In advance: 18,00 Euro (13,00 Euro reduced) plus advanced booking fee
Box office: 23,00 Euro (18,00 Euro reduced)

Note on accessibility: The Jugendkulturhaus Cairo is not barrier-free. A visit to the performance is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking or are dependent on a wheelchair.

Woman Up | Theaterhalle am Dom | EN

Woman Up

About how it feels to be a woman on this planet

Saturday, 26th October 2024
Start: 8.30 PM // Admission: 8.00 PM
Venue: Theaterhalle am Dom
In English

Tickets

Hovering over a public toilet seat while keeping your pants from touching the floor, wearing another pair of underwear over your stockings to keep them from sliding down, being sexually harassed, coughing over your farts to cover the sound, keeping business as usual even while hurting from period pain, allowing someone to help you carry your suitcase up the stairs, feeling your baby kick in your womb…
These are only some of our experiences as women in this world – the kind of things women talk about behind closed doors, (if they even talk about them at all...) and the kind of experiences we rarely see on stage. Until now!
In this show everything will be out in the open – all the funny, painful, scary, icky and powerful moments we experience as women, alone and together. How does it feel to be a woman on this planet? Come and watch this show.
“Woman Up“ is created and directed by Hila Di Castro (Tel Aviv/Israel) and performed by a female international cast. 

Music: Miriam Piro Noack

Price:
In advance: 18,00 Euro (13,00 Euro reduced) plus advanced booking fee
Box office: 23,00 Euro (18,00 Euro reduced)

Foto: Patty Varasano / Hila Di Castro

Note on accessibility: The Theaterhalle am Dom is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchair spaces are available.

Double Feature: Wie wollen wir lieben? & Die Nacht | Mainfranken Theater | GE

Double Feature: Wie wollen wir lieben? & Die Nacht

Von den unendlichen Möglichkeiten der Liebe und der Nacht

Saturday, 26th October 2024
Start: 8.30 PM // Admission: 8.00 PM
Venue: Mainfranken Theater, Probebühne
In English

Tickets

Die Vertrautheit einer festen Paar-Beziehung genießen? Sich im Dschungel polyamoröser Beziehungen verlieren? Lieber frei und ungebunden den Datingmarkt durchstöbern? (Vielleicht lauert die wirklich beste bessere Hälfte ja dann doch irgendwo ...) Oder einfach die beste Freundin zur Lebensabschnittsgefährtin auserwählen? Wenn alles möglich scheint, stellt sich die Frage: Wie wollen wir lieben? Das Berliner Ensemble Mumpitz & Söhne macht sich auf die Suche nach einer Antwort, ganz ohne Lehrbuch und Patentrezept, dafür aber mit improvisierten Szenen voller Komik – und Tragik.

Während die meisten schlafen, spielen sich die spannendsten Geschichten ab: Eine Reifenpanne auf einer dunklen Landstraße im Nirgendwo. Ein einsamer Nachtportier, der bemerkt, dass es in seinem Hotel spukt. Ein Pärchenabend, der völlig eskaliert. Zwei Teenager bei einem geheimen Date an der Bushaltestelle … Die Zeit zwischen Sonnenuntergang und Morgengrauen birgt unendliche Möglichkeiten – reichlich Stoff für Comedy und Drama. In Die Nacht erfinden Jesko Bahr (Würzburg) und Corbinian Wildmeister (Mainz) inspiriert vom Publikum Storys, die alle in derselben Nacht stattfinden. Ob sich die Pfade der Figuren kreuzen? Ob alle diese Nacht unbeschadet überstehen? Kommt vorbei und findet es heraus.

Music: Ebbi Grözinger

Price:
In advance: 18,00 Euro (13,00 Euro reduced) plus advanced booking fee
Box office: 23,00 Euro (18,00 Euro reduced)

Foto: Mumpitz & Söhne / Corbinian Wildmeister

Note on accessibility: The Probebühne is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchair spaces are available.

BIRDIE! | Cairo | EN

BIRDIE!

It's a cute animal, it's the "ball" in Badminton - and now it is an impro show: Birdie!

Saturday, 26th October 2024
Start: 8.30 PM // Admission: 8.00 PM
Venue: Cairo
In English

Tickets

"Birdie!" is improvised Badminton on stage under the lights - and the audience decides when the scenes start. It’s sweat, giggles and Impro whilst trying to keep the Birdie up. With a rich performing history and a knack for physical comedy the two international Berlin based improvisers, Gonzalo Piñán and Nikky Ratjen have decided it’s time for this challenge. Let the magic begin.

Price:
In advance: 16,00 Euro (11,00 Euro reduced) plus advanced booking fee
Box office: 21,00 Euro (16,00 Euro reduced)

Foto: Gonzalo Piñán

Tickets are available in advance for all festival shows until 4 p.m. on the day of the respective event online or at the Jugendkulturhaus Cairo. The regular ticket is for you if you have no problems paying your living costs. The reduced ticket is for you if you need to take a closer look at your bank balance - regardless of your official purchasing situation. We do not require any proof.

Workshops

12 hours of intensive work

You can choose one of three twelve-hour workshops from our wonderful workshop leaders. This year, we're dedicating all three workshops to the common question of how we can approach controversial, painful, political and challenging stories, subjects and characters artistically and respectfully – while still making the audience laugh, but also cry, tingle and reflect upon their lives?
Please note our conditions of participation and the level system.

PS – for "old hands": the organisational procedure has changed a little compared to the last years: Tickets are sold via Yesticket, so there is no lottery, and participants organise their own accommodation. The Youth Hostel is of course available and remains the smartest option, especially for late risers who like to fall out of bed into the workshop. You'll get more information after registration.

Hila Di Castro

Inbal Lori

Shawn Kinley

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.

Hila Di Castro: Intimacy in impro (Level 1 - Experienced)

Intimacy in impro

Teacher: Hila Di Castro from Tel-Aviv/Israel
Level: Level 1 - Experienced
Language: English
Price: 270€ regular // 200€ reduced*
Duration: Friday, 25.10.24, 2pm until Sunday, 27.10.24, 2pm

Participate

Would you like create a theatre experience where the audience is holding their breath and tension can be cut with a knife? Allowing intimacy into your improvisation scene work is a way to achieve this.
Often, however, we shy away from honest, private, loving, passionate or heartbreaking moments on stage. Why? What are our limitations and apprehensions? In order to be intimate on stage, we need to let down our guards and be fully authentic with someone else. If we can trust ourselves and our fellow players, then we can slip into the intimacy zone with our characters and their stories.
In this workshop, we will learn procedures to feel completely comfortable and safe with our partners on stage. Then we will bring this training into scenes and discover the full range of intimate situations that can happen between characters. Whether it be small delicate experiences, or those bigger-than-life moments that require our full commitment and bravery, we’ll explore how far and how deep we would like these scenes to go. We'll see how becoming vulnerable helps us to mesmerize the audience and create stories full of tension, fondness and flair.

Note: This type of work is not about touch (although touch can happen, if it is comfortable for both sides)

Hila Di Castro is an actress, international improviser and teacher based in Israel. You can find her every year in Pandora improve festival (Italy) as she is the director of the international cast. Hila is the co-founder, member and co-artistic director of the trio MOMENTUM – one of the leading improv groups in Israel. She is the creator and director of the show "Woman up!" and also the host and one of the performers both in the Israeli and the international cast. She is leading this show with a vision of a worldwide project to create a web of women groups performing it worldwide. Hila is the co-founder of "equal & above" improve workshops and shows that aims to advocate gender equity throughout Israel and the world. For over 10 years Hila tours the world performing and teaching acting and improv. She has visited over 10 countries, Bringing her unique, inspiring, personal style and improv philosophy.

Andrew Hefler: Taboos, Misbehaviour and Challenging Themes (Level 2 - Advanced) CANCELLED

This workshop will be replaced by the one from Shawn Kinley

Taboos, Misbehaviour and Challenging Themes

Teacher: Andrew Hefler from Budapest/Hungary
Level: 2 - Advanced
Language: English
Price: 270€ regular // 200€ reduced*
Duration: Friday, 25.10.24, 2pm until Sunday, 27.10.24, 2pm

Participate

Do you feel like improvised shows revisit the same types of scenes over and over? Do you ever leave the theatre unable to remember what you saw or why you saw it? There are strong arguments to be made for light entertainment. Quick comedy is playful and spontaneous, and audiences deserve to laugh. Still, the stage is a dangerous place. It should not lack consequence.
This workshop is about putting risqué or unsavory behavior on stage and exposing its effect. It is a chance to explore controversial or troubling content and learn how to handle it sensitively and poignantly. We'll turn up the temperature on risk and relationship and play informed characters that champion philosophies or feelings quite the opposite of our own. Participants will develop the skills of naughtiness and mischief in a playful atmosphere of support and trust. There will be fun and failure as well as candid constructive feedback.

Andrew Hefler is a performer, director, trainer working in theatre, music, film and television for nearly thirty years. He was first introduced to Improvisational theatre at the age of 10 in grade school in Los Angeles. Since then he has worked with theatre groups in the US, Canada, Europe and since 1994 in his homebase of Budapest. He was a founding member of the experimental impro trio Scalabouche and later he founded Grund Theatre in 2008 developing a company and training methods for actors and shows for performance. Grund Theatre has a strong mission for creating progressive relevant improvised theatre, television content, and skill building courses for the public. Education for people in the entertainment industry as well as applying improvisation for a wide range of clients from the professional business, socially conscious sectors.

Shawn Kinley: Misbehaving, Taboos, Universal Stories and Challenging Themes (Level 2 - Advanced)

Misbehaving, Taboos, Universal Stories and Challenging Themes

Teacher: Shawn Kinley from Calgary/Canada
Level: 2 - Advanced
Language: English
Price: 270€ regular // 200€ reduced*
Duration: Friday, 25.10.24, 2pm until Sunday, 27.10.24, 2pm

Participate

Shawn will offer a specially designed workshop combining the elements on the topic of the cancelled workshop - with the additional focus on "UNIVERSAL STORIES".  In his style, Misbehaviour, Taboos, and Challenging Themes will be essential elements he will focus on as the group dives into the stories that affect us all.

About this, Shawn says:
"In the past decade, my focus has aimed at the idea of "Universal stories". To be clear, if you are human, you have experienced a complete range of emotions that we all share based on stories we all go through. You have felt drawn to another, You have felt isolated, You have cried and laughed and wished for things you desired. You've felt the dark side as well as the light.  Being human is an experience in Universal Stories. Telling these stories connects us all.

No human experience is limited to any one person, and yet, the details make each experience unique. The universal stories that connect us can be light and fun - but they also can be dark, embarrassing, risqué or unsavoury. In class we will create a safe environment and find the tools to perform our stories in ways that gives us the skill to offer these universal stories to audiences on stage."

For 40 years Shawn Kinley has been performing and teaching all over the world (55 countries at last count). With a background in Mime, Mask, Physical Theatre and Improvisation, Shawn brings a mix of styles and tools from many areas for all skill levels and backgrounds.
He is based in Canada at The Loose Moose Theatre where he performs, directs, teaches and creates when he is not travelling the world 6 months of the year. He worked directly with Keith Johnstone for more than 20 years and has taught in the National Theatres and Operas of Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Scotland as well as for Scientists in Israel, Technology managers in Dubai, Lawyers in the U.S., Children everywhere and various Universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Tokyo, and more.
His favourite influences are from his students and he often quotes 6-year-old children for their wisdom in the art of improvisation. In 2023 he opened a school dedicated to Improvisation and related arts: www.theIMPROVISATIONschool.com.

Inbal Lori: The Time is Now! - Dark & Uncomfortable Scenes (Level 3 - Professional)

The Time is Now! - Dark & Uncomfortable Scenes

Teacher: Inbal Lori from Tel-Aviv/Israel
Level: 3 - Professional
Language: English
Price: 270€ regular // 200€ reduced*
Duration: Friday, 25.10.24, 2pm until Sunday, 27.10.24, 2pm

Participate

The world is changing fast, and we are often not sure what we are “allowed” to do on stage and what is “inappropriate”. We find ourselves facing questions like:
How do we tackle political, racial, gender issues in improvisation?
How do we play the bad guys and/or people who are different from us?
What do we want to say and how do we avoid propaganda while saying it?
How do we keep our improvisation playful and funny while tackling deep, disputed, or dubious topics?
If you are interested in making relevant, meaningful, thought-evoking improvisation – this workshop is for you! Come open minded, assume good intentions, and join the ride.

Inbal Lori is a graduate of Jerusalem art high school (1994) and Nisan Nativ acting studio (2000). Since then She writes and acts for television and theater and has won prizes and scholarships for her acting and writing. Inbal started improvising in Tel Aviv in 2001. In 2015 Inbal moved to Berlin and since then she is teaching and performing all over the world in places like: the U.S.A, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Japan, Nigeria and Europe. In a business context Inbal is working and coaching companies like: Spotify, Disney, EY, Doberman, McKinsey, Rolls Royce and more.

* Categories such as students, employed, etc. do not always reflect the actual financial situation. Please decide for yourself if you are able to pay the regular price or if you need a discount. We trust that the reduced price will benefit those who really need it.

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 for the first time! 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

Version 29th April 2024

Directions & Parking

Workshop application

How does the registration work?

This year everything is a little different than usual: no lottery, no registration form, no workshop priorities. 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 send us an email with your desired workshop. If a place becomes available, we will inform all interested persons by mail. Be quick to be the first one to book the opened spot on Yesticket.

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.

Team

Carina Odenbreit

artistic director

Kati Schweitzer

artistic director

Christoph Röseler

project coordination

Scarlett Vucic

side programme

Jonathan Suderman

technics & logistics

Elina Martin

ticketing

Carolin Buchmann

social media

Hendrick Ziegler

finance

Viki Tempel

social media & website

Lilly Grund

social media & website

Franziska Plehn

participation mangagement

Support

We would like to thank all our partners, sponsors and venues for their support and the long time cooperation.

We also want to say thank you to our patron, the Mayor of Würzburg, Christian Schuchardt!