BURNING ISSUES x Theatertreffen 2024

Programme

11:00 – 11:45
In German, translated simultaneously into German sign language

Opening Event

With
Claudia Roth – Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media
Andrea Niederbuchner, Jens Hillje – Artistic Directors Sophiensæle
Nicola Bramkamp & Luca Sonnen – Artistic Directors BURNING ISSUES
and representatives of FAIRSTAGE

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11:45 – 12:30
In German, translated simultaneously into German sign language

Impuls Key Notes

permanent insecurity ≠ promoting the arts
Two of the most important research findings of “Systemcheck” are as follows: 
Social insecurity in the performing arts does not promote creativity – on the contrary, it prevents creative work. And: incomes for solo freelancers and hybrid employees are too low. As simple as this may sound, the impact of these facts is all the more complex. Consequences include access barriers, old-age poverty, deferring having a family or withdrawal from the “independent scene” of the performing arts. 
If society is interested in having a diverse and broad cultural landscape, a basic framework of the free development of art must be created. And this requires solidarity from society as a whole. Facts and numbers from “Systemcheck” reveal the structural reasons underlying the individual struggle. 
The research project “Systemcheck” has confirmed that incomes for solo freelancers and hybrid employees in the performing arts are too low. This may be old news. But this overview garnered from interviews, a survey, individual reports and scientific observations clearly reveals what this can mean for specific cases and which factors have an impact on the economic situation. In her keynote, Cilgia Gadola outlines how a fair transformation might be achieved. 

Public funds finance freelance culture work. But how?
The minimum fee is not a question specifically concerning the independent performing arts alone. The German United Services Union ver.di has developed basic fees for freelancers in art and culture in general, which are intended to become part of funding guidelines. In her impulse keynote from the union’s perspective, Lisa Mangold will show that freelancing can and should be considered with more solidarity in the sector of art and culture.

With
Cilgia Gadola – Project Management Systemcheck, Federal Association Independent Performing Arts
Lisa Mangold – Trade Union Secretary and Head of the Department Art and Culture, ver.di

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13:15 – 14:30
In German, translated simultaneously into German sign language

Excuse Me, Where Was the Exit Again?

Directions from theories to practice

Looking at recent coverage about the theatre, topics like abuse of power, anxious working climates and rigid hierarchies emerge. While the canon is undergoing contemporary scrutiny, is rewritten and looked at from multiple perspectives, the etiquette and organisation behind the scenes frequently appear outdated and fusty. 
The guests who have gathered for this conversation will give insights into the subversive approaches, criticisms and perspectives they contribute to contemporary theatre and cultural work which they see as a landscape of solidarity. Their points of view show that there have not only recently been attempts to free the theatre and the cultural sector from this dust but that a collective effort is required to permanently remove even the most persistent deposits from the system. 

With
Thea Hoffmann-Axthelm – Scenographer, Chairwoman of Szenografie-Bund, Moderator
Mable Preach – Director, Performer and Choreographer
Samuel Koch – Actor
Azeret Koua – Director, Member of the Team of Artistic Directors of Theaterhaus Jena from the beginning of the 2024/2025 season
Lisa Mangold – Trade Union Secretary and Head of the Department Art and Culture, ver.di
Cilgia Gadola – Project Manager Systemcheck, Federal Association Independent Performing Arts

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11:00 – 15:00
In German
Please register by 3 May: burning-issues.de

BURNING ISSUES Kids

In a separate section of the conference entitled BURNING ISSUES Kids, for the first time those who we generally only talk about will specifically be asked for their point of view: the children themselves. 
Children are immediately affected by the issues discussed at the conference BURNING ISSUES (like working conditions, the gender pay gap, fair distribution of care work etc.). At the same time, they have little to no influence or opportunities to effect change. How can children respond to current questions of fairness and solidarity?
BURNING ISSUES Kids provides spaces where children can develop their own demands of the theatre world in particular and the world in general in order to make use of their right to have a say. 
The format will be guided by Jil Dreyer and Josef Mehling, theatre and media educators of feelings.mem. BURNING ISSUES Kids was developed for the broad age range from four to twelve years. 
Jil Dreyer and Josef Mehling work as the team of feelings.mem in the fields of story games, media education, theatre, movement and performance. In their creative work with young people and children, they place great value on supporting young people to sharpen their focus on their own positions, aesthetic ideas and personal needs on the one hand, and on group dynamics and social conditions on the other, all in an age-appropriate manner. 

Children between the ages of four and twelve can be registered until 3 May via the registration form for the event, where all relevant information will be requested.