Numerous contemporary theatre forms and productions are consciously taking a critical look at the role of the audience. Viewers who, as experts about their own lives and their own cultural or aesthetic perceptions and developmental strategies, are given space to become actors. Participatory forms are also "in" in the field of cultural education. The State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) / The Ministry of Culture of North Rhine-Westphalia has set up a number of sponsoring programmes with which, through the interplay between reception and ones own artistic actions, enthusiasm for culture, experimentation and creativity is encouraged.
But at the same time, there are also critical voices, that demand a differentiated approach regarding qualities, conditions and effects of the "successful participation-concept".
Different positions about the importance of participation and the possible ways of implementing it in theatres, also in view of the HALBSTARK Festival, will be discussed by:
- Ute Schäfer, Minister for Family, Children, Youth, Culture and Sport for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
- Dr. Andrea Hanke, Deputy Mayor for Education, Family, Culture for the City of Münster
- Silvia Andringa, Artistic Director HALBSTARK Theatre Festival
- Kristo Šagor, German playwright, director and actor
- Moderation: WDR3