Since the 2025/26 season, the Schauspiel Köln (SPL KLN) has been under the new artistic direction of Kay Voges and has quickly repositioned itself as one of the most exciting theaters in the German-speaking world. Voges and his team are bringing new impetus to the city—artistically, politically, and digitally. The theater sees itself not only as a stage, but as a place of social debate where art, journalism, and the public meet.

With its programmatic focus on “theatre and journalism,” the Schauspiel Köln builds a bridge between investigative research and artistic representation. Schauspiel Köln stands for openness, attitude, and dialogue. For a theatre that constantly questions itself and is firmly rooted in the present. Or, as Kay Voges puts it in his “96 Theses”: "THEATER IS A PEACEKEEPING MEASURE."

  www.schauspiel.koeln

Founded in 1988, the European Theatre Convention (ETC) is the largest network of public theatres in Europe. It is an arts organisation that promotes European theatre as a vital platform for dialogue, democracy and interaction that responds to, reflects and engages with today’s diverse audiences and changing societies.

ETC’s current four-year programme of activities, European Theatre: BREAK THE MOULD, is co-funded by the European Union and supports networking, professional development and artistic collaborations for theatre staff across Europe — championing theatre as a key European art form for the 21st century. ETC has more than 75 members from 30+ countries and is supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

  www.europeantheatre.eu

The Volkstheater, with its more than 800 seats, is the second-largest spoken theatre stage in Vienna and one of the largest in the German-speaking world. Since 2025, Jan Philipp Gloger has been the artistic director of the theatre.

  www.volkstheater.at

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre, founded on 1 January 1904, is the oldest and most prestigious theatre in Bulgaria. With over 120 years of history, the theatre is a symbol of Bulgarian cultural identity, preserves classical values, and actively supports contemporary theatre art. It inspires generations of artists and spectators with quality productions and international recognition.

The theatre has 3 stages - Main Stage, Chamber Hall and Apostol Karamitev Stage. The repertoire includes over 60 titles by Bulgarian and foreign authors, contemporary and classical works and attracts more than 150,000 spectators annually. At least 10 premiere performances are presented each season, and over 600 performances are performed.

  www.nationaltheatre.bg

The National Theatre Drama is the leading theatre in the Czech Republic. Given the tradition, historical milestones and social context of the NT and the structure of its audience, coming from various backgrounds, the Drama repertoire is composed of classical plays and brand-new texts. The NT is not a mere museum or conservative scene. We take pride in cooperating with outstanding Czech and foreign directors and foreign artists of contemporary theatre.

The theatre prepares around six new productions a year, while also pursuing a host of accompanying activities, debates and educational programmes. The National Theatre Drama focuses on non-Czech speakers and provides English surtitles for their productions. All the above activities express their intention to make the NT a living and open institution.

  www.narodni-divadlo.cz

Founded under a big top in 1965 by Pierre Debauche, the Théâtre des Amandiers became a National Dramatic Centre in 1971 and quickly established itself as a major hub for theatrical creation in France. A symbol of cultural decentralisation, it is now the largest theatre in Europe located in the suburbs. A cradle of contemporary French and international creation, the Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers owes its renown to the ambition of its projects and to those who have led it.

Since January 2021, Christophe Rauck has continued the theatre’s mission: to give voice to the great narratives of the world, champion major works and contemporary writing, and serve as a place for sharing, encounters and celebration, open to all. In December 2025, it reopened in a building fully renovated by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta

  www.nanterre-amandiers.com

Since its foundation in 2004, Örkény has built a strong reputation and became a leading art theatre of the city of Budapest. As a public institution it nurtures the heritage of staging a varied repertory with an outstanding ensemble, while it also encourages experiments with contemporary content and cutting-edge formats. Örkény’s productions stand for the highest professional standards and invite the audience to take a reflective stance on socially significant themes. Its ambitious engagement programmes are accessible to the citizens of the capital throughout generations; its collaborations with Hungarian and international peers respond to local issues and are open to the world at large.

Under a new leadership, it now seeks to explore the model of 21st century City Theatre functions as a beacon of openness and creativity, shaping an inclusive and sustainable cultural landscape in the heart of Budapest.

  www.orkenyszinhaz.hu

De Toneelmakerij produces engaging theatre shows for young audiences. Based in Amsterdam, De Toneelmakerij is a touring company that performs in theatres, classrooms and off-beat locations. We provide artistic educational programmes, in which the starting point is the world of young people and the questions and obstacles they encounter. De Toneelmakerij is progressive, thorough and inviting. The company has a strong focus on new repertoire and radical rewriting of the classics.

It believes in the power of polyphonic stories to unite. De Toneelmakerij gives voice to historically underrepresented groups that are undeniably part of Amsterdam culture but not yet of the Dutch theatrical canon. It takes its young audience seriously and never shies away from sensitive subjects, whilst always remaining transparent, humorous and playful.

  www.toneelmakerij.nl

Founded in 1846, it’s a cornerstone of Portuguese theatre, dedicated to cultural democracy and promoting artistic potential. With a team of about 100 people, it produces and hosts around 50 shows and hundreds of other activities anually, in Lisbon and on national and international territories, actively engaging diverse audiences.

In 2023, with its building closed for renovation works, the institution started the Odisseia Nacional [National Odyssey] project, which resulted in a partnership with over 90 municipalities and multiple other partners, promoting hundreds of activities nationwide. Set to return home in September, D. Maria II will continue its programming throughout the country, guided by principles of cultural democracy and territorial cohesion through culture.

  www.tndm.pt

Folkteatern’s vision is to be one of the most interesting venues in Northern Europe. Folkteatern is a place that lives and breathes, where we explore and examine our time, where people meet and engage with the arts and all the questions they raise, five nights a week. The four stages are filled with high-quality performing arts that challenge, engage, entertain, question and invite new perspectives.

Newly written drama, classical plays in new forms, dance, experimental music, poetry, film, performance, literature, talks, and debates. A corner of Gothenburg where anything is possible, and where everyone is welcome, if only for a moment.

  www.folkteatern.se