Julia Dina Heße
In June 2025, ASSITEJ Germany will organise the next International DIRECTORS IN TYA – An International Exchange, marking the 50th anniversary of the event. Hamburg’s Fundus Theater / Forschungstheater shall serve as host. FUNDUS THEATER is also known as the Theatre of Research and focuses on participatory performances, bringing kids and adults together as researchers by creating spaces in which both children and adults feel safe to speak up. Here, the stage is a laboratory and a space for improbable assemblies.
As a participant in the last Exchange at Landestheater Marburg in the summer of 2023 I was able to experience firsthand something that I had only ever heard about before: the magic and power of creating new connections. Because that is the driving force behind this event, which serves as a platform for artistic exchange on equal footing. Where individuals can meet and share ideas, methods and visions. For almost 50 years, this format has not only been the starting point for many long-standing friendships, but has also laid the foundation for numerous cross-border collaborations and co-productions.
“The International Directors’ Seminar is truly just a springboard and starting point for great partnerships and ideas to be continued. For me this is what progress is all about: the human connections we make in order to develop and grow. I am so fortunate to have been selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity (literally, as you can only be selected for the seminar once) and having the space and time to just engage and discuss ideas and reflections with other directors who are equally passionate about the importance of work for theatre for children and youth.” (2015: Jayne Batzofin, South Africa)
“It is, I think, an excellent mix of, history, fun, work and theatre-going. I am absolutely exhausted, but my brain and my heart are full of friendship, ideas, inspiration and learnings to bring back to New Zealand.” (2019 Kerryn Palmer, New Zealand)
When choosing a theme for the seminar, it is always important to focus on universal yet topical issues that are relevant and approachable for directors from all over the world. In recent years, the event has thus covered a broad spectrum: its themes have ranged from “Heroes and Idols” to “Walls” and “Construction of Hope”. In Hamburg, artistic exchange will revolve around the theme of “Reassembling the world: intergenerational and international alliances in TYA”. It will start by asking questions on how TYA can make use of its potential to create alliances—not only between professionals, but between kids and adults around the world, between communities locally and globally. And how these connections can enable us to work together towards peace, justice, solidarity and inclusion worldwide.
Although FUNDUS THEATER, like its predecessors, will put together its own unique and individual programme of theatre performances, encounters and visits, some things have remained constant throughout the history of the Directors’ Exchange: every two years, around 30 theatre makers spend six incredibly intense days together, meeting for a plenary session every morning or evening and then working in small groups on various themes and issues.
“The week gave me a glimpse into the various environments of children’s theatre in the different countries. How does funding work for new projects and collaborations, how do theatre companies function, the idea of state-sponsored theatres and their work for young audiences, the politics of touring and entry into festivals across the world, how actors and theatre makers survive financially in different countries, stories of struggle and grit to do what they have dreamed of, even without state or society support. (…) When you put your work in the larger context, it becomes a more challenging and enjoyable process than when working in isolation.” (2017, Timira Gupta, India)
The processes and experiences are unique in each Exchange, as the participants always come from an array of countries, have diverse specialisations and are at very different points in their careers. This means that emerging artists meet established colleagues and that drama, dance, music and object theatre specialists from different contexts and cultures come together to develop a common language for their perspectives and concepts during these days.
“The concept of bringing together directors from around the world and providing them with space for exploration and collaboration was both challenging and rewarding. The process of unlearning, relearning, and understanding the perspectives of other directors was certainly demanding. The program intentionally pushes you outside your comfort zone, but by embracing this discomfort, significant learning takes place.” (2023: Umair Mushtaq, Pakistan)
The International Directors’ Exchange is one of the many success stories that ASSITEJ Germany can look back on almost 60 years after its foundation. From the very beginning, theatres throughout Germany have hosted directors from all over the world. 572 participants from 83 countries from all continents have taken part since 1975.
“One of the great strengths of the week was the exploration of both commonality and difference that was offered. Whilst it is vital to operate within an international, borderless community of artists we sometimes seek only to find the things that we have in common, driven, perhaps, by the illusion of universality. However, the care with which our hosts attended to us and the generosity and openness of each director meant that we were able to unpack the differences and points of contention within our practice and native culture.” (2017: Olivia Furber, Great Britain)
The next International DIRECTORS IN TYA – An International Exchange hosted by ASSITEJ Germany will take place in 2025 (22-29 June 2025).[1] A call for applications will be published in May 2024.
Further information and a list of all previous participants can be found here: https://www.jungespublikum.de/events-series/directors-in-tya/
About the author:
Julia Dina Hesse is Vice-President of ASSITEJ Germany and together with Anna Eitzeroth, Secretary General of ASSITEJ Germany, responsible for the organisation of DIRECTORS IN TYA – An International Exchange. Julia has been a member of the EC of Assitej International since 2021.
[1]Subject to funding.
