Struggling Theatre Workshop of Volksbühne Faces Extinction
Going Backstage at the Volksbühne's Threatened Workshops
By Oliver Ohmann
It's more than just bricks and mortar at risk with the Volksbühne's workshops on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz – it's an entire creative universe hanging in the balance. The Berlin Senate's austerity plans are putting the squeeze on the Volksbühne, asking for savings of a whopping 2 million euros.
"It's not just about a property, but an entire cosmos," muses workshop director Stefan Möllers, as he leads us through the carpentry, metalwork, painting hall, sculpture, decoration, and construction. These workshop buildings have stood the test of time, built in the 1930s for the Volksbühne on Thulestraße in Pankow. Here, a dedicated team of 40 craftspeople continue to preserve the knowledge passed down through generations.
Scenic artist Vivien Stewart (31) is currently constructing a colossal head for a Peer Gynt production. No CNC machines or fancy gadgetry here, just good old-fashioned elbow grease with wooden tubing, wire mesh, and fabric. "Old-school techniques with plenty of benefits," she explains, noting the lightweight, dismantlable nature of her creation.
Next door, the painting workshop buzzes with activity. Elena is carefully sculpting a clay head after Lucie's face, under the watchful eye of Anne Walther (39). No computers or fancy machinery here, just good old-school craftsmanship. "Mistake" emphasizes Anne Walther, "we also use cutting-edge computer programs for planning and calculating stage equipment. But the basics have to be there first. That's why Elena forms and measures – until Lucie's face is shaped in clay."
Theater Lives and Breathes Its Own Stage Designs
The Senate's plans call for a merger with the Berlin stage service, which could spell doom for the workshops. This would see the workshops disbanded, with stage designs centralized and mass-produced by the theater service provider.
Even the costume workshop, housed in the theater building, fears for its existence. "Stage tailoring shapes the artistic expression of the theater," explains costume director Ulrike Köhler, "You can't just buy historical costumes off-the-rack; you need experienced tailors for that."
The Volksbühne actors themselves are rallying to support their craftspeople. Veteran actress Kathrin Angerer (55) and actor Milan Peschel (57) thoroughly understand the importance of the workshop to the theater process: "Details can be tweaked on stage right up until the very end. It's a very, very close collaboration."
Berlin's Budget Crunch and Its Impact on the Arts
Berlin's arts scene, including theaters like the Volksbühne, often struggles to make ends meet. The Berlin Senate's austerity plans could force cuts to the budget, potentially affecting workshops and creative projects. This could lead to reduced funding for artistic initiatives, impacting the sustainability of handcrafted stage designs and other creative endeavors.
Handcrafted Stage Designs: A Crucial Element of the Theatrical Experience
Handcrafted stage designs play a vital role in the theatrical experience, offering unique, tangible, and often culturally significant elements to performances. These designs can reflect local craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and artistic innovation.
A Future for the Volksbühne
- Cultural Richness and Diversity: Reducing funding for workshops and stage designs could threaten the cultural richness and diversity that the Volksbühne brings to Berlin's cultural tapestry.
- Artistic Innovation: It may limit opportunities for artists to experiment with new ideas and techniques, impacting the theater's ability to innovate and remain relevant.
- Community Engagement: Workshops and handcrafted stage designs often engage local communities, fostering education and preserving cultural heritage. Reduced funding could weaken these community ties.
To navigate these challenges, the Volksbühne might explore alternative funding sources, collaborate with local artists and community groups, or advocate for the cultural significance of their work to secure support from the government or private sponsors.
- The handcrafted stage designs at the Volksbühne significantly contribute to the theater's lifestyle and interior-design, offering unique, tangible, and culturally significant elements that reflect local craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and artistic innovation.
- In the shifting landscape of Berlin's home-and-garden budget, the proposed austerity plans could pose a threat to the cultural richness and diversity brought by the Volksbühne, potentially weakening community ties and hindering artistic innovation.
