Intergenerational Approaches in Young Dance
Specialist exchange & Discourse FRATZ International 2026
Exchange on working methods, aesthetics and impulses in artistic work with different generations
Children grow up in an increasingly age-separated society: their environment - whether kindergarten, school or leisure time - is often separate from the areas in which adults and especially older people move - world of work, adult only or senior* offers, care facilities, etc. Theatre can create spaces in which different generations come into contact with each other and share common experiences. Artistic processes are enriched with the respective age-appropriate and individual characteristics of the young, very young, older and highly aged participants. Intergenerational work reveals a lot of new things: new issues, such as all-round autonomy and care; new ways of working, for example taking into account the sometimes very different worlds of experience; new aesthetic impulses – for example, resulting from very different physicalities and rhythms.
In recent years, Theater o.N. and FELD Theater have increasingly dealt with intergenerational approaches and gained experience in artistic processes. The event provides space for a collegial exchange about these experiences and invites interested parties to talk together about open questions, theses and further ideas.
For this purpose, four thematic tables are planned. Others can form spontaneously.
1. Eva Günther and Lea Martini: Presentation of her research project ‘Ein kreis. almost rund’ with kindergarten children and seniors from Dance On Lab (Residence 2026-27 of Offensive Tanz in cooperation with FELD Theater)
2. Gabi dan Droste / FELD Theater: Meeting rooms of people of different ages: What makes art and work visible in artistic and research contexts.
Julie Peters & Andreas Pichler (Ensemble Theater o.N.): A research laboratory for babies and their companions: Observation, making and existence (part of the program of FRATZ International 2026)
4. Vera Strobel (Artistic Director Theater o.N. / FRATZ Festival): Senior:indoor facilities as theatre venues
An event of the Offensive Dance for Young Audience as part of FRATZ International 2026. In cooperation with FELD Theater. Ticket sales directly via FRATZ International.
accessibility
Theater o.N. and FRATZ International have set themselves the goal of making the program more accessible with each festival. Offensive Tanz is once again providing financial support for this year's FRATZ edition. This year, FRATZ International is focusing on T*deaf and neurodivergent audiences and the implementation takes place with a view to these groups of people.
For a direct contact to the FRATZ offers please use the e-mail ticket@fratz-festival.de or the mobile number +49 (0)178 6876106. Messages can be left on the mailbox, via SMS, WhatsApp or signal.
Information on offers for T*taube and neurodivergente visitors, as well as further information on accessibility can be found here.
Venue Podewil
The venue Podewil in Berlin-Mitte can be reached by public transport. Directly opposite is the barrier-free underground station Klosterstraße (U2). The building is partially barrier-free: Stepless access is possible via ramps on Klosterstraße or in the courtyard (entrance Orphan Street), all floors are accessed via an elevator. A barrier-free toilet is located on the ground floor. For visitors with mobility restrictions, a marked wheelchair-accessible parking space is available opposite the building. Personal assistance does not need to be registered. You are welcome to bring assistance animals. Please inform us in advance.
Detailed information on the invited contributions
- Eva Günther and Lea Martini are dancers of different generations. They present their current research project “a circle. almost round”.
“Based on the idea that the beginning and the end of life do not form a linear path, but meet in a circle, we explore the closeness between young and old people. Where do they resemble each other emotionally, mentally and physically? Where do they differ? […] Our perspective on the subject stems from the desire to make encounters between generations more natural again. After a development towards age-related niches, we are interested in how exchange and closeness can emerge anew. Eva brings many years of experience in dance and choreography with older people, including through her collaboration with Dance On Lab. Lea combines a two-year artistic collaboration with Kita Olbersstraße in Berlin-Charlottenburg.”
‘ein kreis. almost rund’ is supported as part of a residency of the Offensive Tanz für Junges Audience in cooperation with the FELD Theater. The exchange at FRATZ marks the beginning of the residence, which will continue in winter 26/27. The results of the work will be presented at the FELD Theater in January 2027.
- Gabi dan Droste / FELD Theater: Meeting rooms of people of different ages: What makes art and work visible in artistic and research contexts.
Gabi dan Droste is founder and director of the FELD Theater in Berlin and has accompanied a number of intergenerational projects. She will bring biographical notes and theses and share her experiences in artistic work with people of different ages.
- Julie Peters & Andreas Pichler (Ensemble Theater o.N.): A research laboratory for babies and their companions: Observation, making and existence
The dancer Julie Peters and the musician Andreas Pichler open a protected play area during the FRATZ Festival, to which babies between 0 and 18 months and their accompanying persons are invited. The research laboratory offers time and leisure to trace the fine forms of communication between babies and adults and to find new opportunities for expression and encounter. With few verbal instructions and a lot of openness to what is emerging at the moment, playful encounters develop. Light and shadow, voice and sounds as well as physical and haptic impulses invite you to explore, marvel and exchange.
The development of artistic spaces for babies places special demands. Perception, time, proximity, materiality and movement must be thought of from the perspective of addressees who experience theatre not through language or action, but above all physically and sensually. Many artists only find access to this way of working through practical research.
At the event, Julie and Andreas will give insights into their preparations and artistic questions, and can tell you freshly about their first laboratory session in the morning.
Interested trade visitors can participate in a limited number of laboratory sessions as part of their FRATZ accreditation: LINK to pre-registration
- Vera Strobel (Artistic Director Theater o.N. / FRATZ Festival) – Senior:indoor institutions as theatre venues
As part of FRATZ, a number of cooperations with senior indoor institutions were created, which became venues for selected pieces of the festival. These performances with a mixed audience of very young and elderly people, some of them very old, provided very special moments. Vera Strobel reports on this collaboration from a curatorial and organizational perspective, addressing both enriching aspects and challenges.
