Try-out 2024

How can a theatre foyer become a space for interaction? What artistic impulses enhance a visit to the theatre? Where does a theatrical experience begin and end? EXIT THE ROOM’s third project cycle focused on new approaches to encounter, connection and dialogue between theatre-makers and audiences. The cycle concluded with several different experimental try-outs that were presented at spleen*graz festival.

 

TaOsch dich aus [Let’s exchange]

What are ways to turn a theatre foyer into a place of exchange? Audience members were invited to leave traces at three different interactive areas; an audio booth to record thoughts and make them resonate with those of others; a game table to invent, share and play games; and message walls to share thoughts and impressions in writing or drawing.

spleen zu Tisch [spleen at the table]

What are the unspoken rules that guide our behaviour in different settings? In an interactive dinner table installation and performance art piece based on the traditional German etiquette book “Knigge”, festival visitors were encouraged to explore which rules are worth following and which rules ought to be broken.

Taxi Timke

What are low-threshold ways to start conversations between strangers? The fictional rickshaw driver duo “Timke” offered rides between festival venues and other places of interest. On the way, they would facilitate open conversations about the festival, theatre, or general topics with their passengers.

Auf die Bühne fertig los [On stage, get set, go]

How can a stage become an open space for young audiences to explore? After certain shows, festival visitors were invited on stage to find out in what ways they could make a theatre space their own. Offering props from the show as well as new objects to use, the stage turned into a playground for festival visitors of different ages.

Sing YOU a love song

How can a theatre workshop create an atmosphere of trust that lets young audience members come out of their shells? In an intimate workshop format accompanying the youth performance “Sing me a love song”, pupils were invited to explore their own feelings, concepts and stories of love in an open and honest way.

Concept and Realisation: Florian Altmann, Maddalena Bertassi, Imke Daum, Vanessa Defant, Sarah Frank, Matilda Heyer, Viktoria Kasprik, Leah Klein, Julia Knöß, Adriel Ondas, Elena Puchelt, Jana Rodenbach, Sara Schmiedl, Mika Schnapper, Linnea Schneider, Lisa Striezel, Elena Trantow, Rose Türemis, Tim Widell, Clemens Zoller

Coaching: Andreas Flick, Nathalie Forstman