Theatre Lab. Test: Democracy
Theatre lab during the Easter holidays
Elisabeth-von-Thadden-Schule Heidelberg
Children and young people are invited to spend the Easter holidays exploring the topic of democracy in all its aspects through art, together with artists from various disciplines. We want to know what you want. Let‘s explore together how democracy works, when it plays a role, and why we need it. We want to do research together: on how decisions are made and what is fair and what is not.
The programme is aimed at children and young people with and without disabilities, chronic illnesses and neurodivergent children and young people aged 8 to 13.
7 to 10 April 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Venue: Elisabeth-von-Thadden Schule (Klostergasse 2–4, 69123 Heidelberg)
There will be a final presentation afterwards on Friday 10 April 2026 until 5 p.m. at Elisabeth-von-Thadden Schule.
Costs: This is a free offer including lunch.
The registration deadline is 29 March 2026.
Registrations will be considered in the order in which they are received.
Further information: kunstundvermittlung [at] Theater.Heidelberg.de
Experiment 1: »How do we want to live« [8–10]
Photography
What does freedom mean to us? How do we make decisions together? In the photo workshop we learn how to use a camera, take photos ourselves and translate thoughts into images. The results of our work will be displayed in an exhibition that shows our own view of society and democracy.
With: Miriam Stanke / photographer
Experiment 2: »De-move-kratie!« [8–10]
Movement/Dance
Have you ever voted on anything? Can compromises be lazy? And what does all this have to do with democracy? We set off on a journey of discovery with our bodies and explore the question of what democracy actually is and where we encounter it in our everyday lives. Together and democratically, we develop our own stories on this topic and tell them with the help of movement.
With: Tonia Außel / theatre educator
Experiment 3: »Sound Lab: The Parliament of Voices« [9–11]
Music
Whether you sing or want to rediscover your voice: in this parliament, decisions are made with sounds, rhythms, words and singing. We invent a country, form sound factions and experience what decision-making, arguing and listening sound like. The result is a debate that makes democracy audible: loud, quiet, wild and courageous.
With: Laura Volk / singer, presenter and music educator
Experiment 4: »The Power of the Masses« [11–13]
Choral spoken theatre
Demonstration, boycott, strike! The power of the masses has broken chains, overthrown kings and driven change. Strikes and demonstrations are central to democracy. What happens when not one, but many voices cry out ‘Not like this!’? This experiment explores the power of shared texts and actions.
With: Jeremy Heiß / theatre musician and theatre educator
Experiment 5: »Many impulses, one space: Creating together in motion« [11–13]
Movement/Dance
In this movement and dance workshop, participants can experience participation, representation, conflict and negotiation in a playful way. Through improvisation, group tasks and role changes, movement and decisions arise from many different impulses. Without right or wrong, the participants develop a diverse choreography together.
With: Amelie Mahl / dance and theatre educator
You can find a flyer containing all information here as a downloadable PDF.
