Creative Bridges between Berlin and France

Three key players in German-French exchange projects come together to discuss the current state of cultural exchange between Berlin and France, existing collaborations, and the opportunities for building new ones within the independent performing arts.

The event begins with insights from Sarah Becher, director of the Bureau du théâtre et de la danse (BTD), who will share details about the BTD's diverse activities and responsibilities—ranging from supporting distribution, development, and production to promoting contemporary French plays. Since its founding in 1995, the BTD has been fostering the presence of artists based in France within Germany across various disciplines of the performing arts.

Next, Thomas Kellner, an independent actor and performer from Berlin, will share his experiences with German-French collaboration—both as a member of a German-French performance collective and as the head of the workshop program Le parcours critique. This intercultural workshop series provides participants with behind-the-scenes insights into major European festivals such as the Festival d’Avignon and Theatertreffen Berlin. Kellner will discuss opportunities to increase the representation of Berlin's independent arts scene at international festivals like the Festival Off Avignon.

Jade Samson-Kermarrec will then shed light on the challenges and realities of the recently founded Berlin theater festival Le Lampenfieber (2022). This queer*feminist theater festival is dedicated to young professional theater groups from German- and French-speaking countries. Additionally, Samson-Kermarrec will talk about her work as the founder of the German-French association Theater im Nu (est. 2018) in Berlin.

The discussion will continue informally over snacks and drinks in the foyer of the City Kino Wedding.

With Sarah Becher (director of the Bureau du théâtre et de la danse, BTD, Berlin), Thomas Kellner (Actor & Head of the workshop Le parcours critique at Festival d’Avignon and Theatertreffen) and Jade Samson-Kermarrec (writer, director, co-founder of the German-French association Theater im Nu, founder of the queer*feminist theater festival Le Lampenfieber, and representative of the network of French-speaking female writers in Berlin). Moderation: Catherine Launay (Berlin Performing Arts Program)

Registration

Please register by January 13, 2025, by emailing catherine.launay [at] pap-berlin.de with the subject line “Brücke Berlin Frankreich.”

Accessibility

Participation is free of charge.

Language

The discussion will be held in French. Questions in English and German are welcome. If you require a whispered translation into English, please notify us by January 10, 2025, via email: catherine.launay@pap-berlin.de.

Physical Accessibility

The venue has a continuously accessible, step-free entrance from the street to the event space, with a minimum width of 150 cm (including a curb ramp). Barrier-free parking spaces and restrooms are available. The event space accommodates wheelchairs and walkers, with the option for specially reserved seating or early access to the room.

Contact

Dana Chanussot
Email: chanussot@centre-francais.de
Phone: +49 (030) 120 8603 56