New European Plays 2008

This biennial festival is the only one in the world that exclusively presents new plays by contemporary playwrights. With support from well-known dramatists who foster talented, young writers, the curatorial team headed by Manfred Beilharz invited promising writers from over 20 countries to present their new plays this year. In the past the festival has helped launch the international careers of many of today's established playwrights. While audiences could enjoy ten days of exciting high-quality theatre, the newcomers to the theatre scene could make important contacts to theatre-makers and writers throughout Europe. Additional workshops and discussion forums, organized in cooperation with the Junges Staatstheater Wiesbaden and the University of Mainz and Frankfurt, allowed children and young adults to become acquainted with the challenges of writing for and about theatre and translating dramatic texts. Furthermore, the participants became familiar with the various working methods from the countries where the writers originate.

Artistic directors: Markus Bothe, Manfred Beilharz, Tankred Dorst, Ursula Ehler

Venues and schedule:
Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Staatstheater Mainz: 12 - 22 June 2008