23th to 26th October 2025

Würzburger Improtheaterfestival

Connect & Collaborate

These days, the world often feels like it's split in two. The lines seem drawn, and the divides are getting deeper. On one side, you’ve got the "crazy climate terrorists," and on the other, the "backward right-wingers." Some are selfish meat-eaters, others self-righteous vegans. Oh, and let’s not even get started on political correctness ... While society is busy tearing itself apart or retreating into its own bubble, undemocratic forces are thriving off the polarization.
We’re done with division. That’s why this year’s festival is all about collaboration and the things that connect us. Improvised theater is all about contact – diverse ideas, trust, courage, curiosity, and connection. That’s our big overarching story. And we tell it again and again in every show.

The festival will take place from October 23^rd to 26^th 2025!

Programme

SHOW APPLICATION

We are planning a varied show programme and you can help to shape it!
You have a show format that you want to present at the Würzburger Improtheaterfestival? You can apply until May 18^th. We are looking forward to your submissions!

Apply with a show format

Workshops

The Collab:Lab

3 Days of playful Collaboration, 2 Shows, 1 unique experience

This year, our festival is centered around the topic of Connection & Collaboration. That's why, even before the regular workshops, we have the Collab:Lab! Five performers from five different countries will come together over three days, under the guidance of Lisa Rowland (San Francisco, USA), to create a show and perform it at the festival. How does collaboration work? How do you get to know each other and build trust quickly? What do you want to tell? What is your show?

The Collab:Lab is aimed at professional improvisers.

Conditions & Application

12 hours of intensive work - our regular workshops!

You can choose one of three twelve-hour workshops from our wonderful workshop teachers. The topics will be announced soon! The workshops will start Friday, 24^th October at 2 PM and end Sunday, October 26^th at 2 PM. Please note our conditions of participation and the level system.

Tickets are sold via Yesticket. Sale starts May, 1st.
If you need accommodation for the festival we recommend the Youth Hostel which right next to the Jugendkulturhaus Cairo where the workshops will take place. If you prefer a quieter place to stay, there are various hotels and Airbnbs – almost everything in Würzburg is within walking distance.

Lindsay Mullan

(Toronto, Canada)

Andrew Hefler

(Budapest, Hungary)

Lisa Rowland

(San Francisco, USA)

Conditions of participation

Code of Conduct
We have developed a short code of conduct to ensure that everybody feels safe and happy and can get the most out of their experience at the Würzburger Improtheaterfestival. Reading through this code will give you an idea of our festival philosophy and values.

Cancellation of your workshop place
Until July 31st you can cancel your workshop spot and we will refund your festival fee minus an administrative fee of 30 Euros. If you cancel your spot after July 31st, we can only refund your participation fee minus the administrative fee of 30 Euro if we can fill your place - you are also welcome to suggest a person.

Liability
No liability can be accepted for self-inflicted accidents, wardrobe, damage to property and lost items.

Level

The level system helps us building homogeneous workshop groups to ensure that everybody gets the most out of their workshop experience. Please make an honest and self-critical assessment of which level best suits you. We reserve the right to cancel bookings whose level does not match the stated level of the workshop.

1. Experienced

I rehearse with an ensemble on a regular basis, and have experience performing improvisation on the stage. I have participated in some impro workshops.

2. Advanced

I perform regularly on stage and I rehearse on a regular basis with a fixed ensemble. I have been involved in introducing performance formats to the place where I primarily improvise, either by developing these or by introducing these from elsewhere. I’ve introduced others into improvisation, either through beginner training or mentoring newer players in an ensemble.

3. Professional

I perform regularly on stage and I rehearse on a regular basis with a fixed ensemble. I have developed formats and presented these formats in cities outside of the one I’m based in. I have a professional approach to my improvisational work. I’ve developed others in improvisation, by offering advanced training on multiple occasions, or by coaching ensembles.

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Childcare

For the little ones, so the big ones can play

Would you like to participate in one of our workshops, but your children can't be left alone yet? This year, we're offering childcare! Children aged four and above can participate in the service. The structure of the service will be tailored according to the age of the registered children. Here are the conditions:

Your child is four years old or older.
We will only provide care during workshop times.
If you only want to use the service for part of the workshop time, you can also book a half-day time slot.
We offer a total of four time slots for childcare (Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning).
Cost: €25 per time slot -> full workshop time: €100.

If you would like to book childcare, first book your desired workshop on Yesticket. In the confirmation email, there will be a link to a form. Fill it out and indicate that you would like to book childcare. We will then clarify everything with you via email. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@improtheaterfestival.de!

Foto: Inês Pimentel from Unsplash

Festival-Guide

If you would like to take part in the festival, you will find various information and all kinds of interesting facts in the festival guide. We will add to the guide during the year. If there is still an open question, just contact us.

Code of Conduct

We have developed a short code of conduct to ensure that everybody feels safe and happy and can get the most out of their experience at the Würzburger Improtheaterfestival. Reading through this code will give you an idea of our festival philosophy and values.

Schedule

Coming soon

Directions & Parking

Workshop application

How does the registration work?

You can simply book your desired workshop via Yesticket. Please note the different levels!
Afterwards we will ask for some information through a form (e.g. if you prefer vegan food or if you don't tolerate gluten). The additional information will help us to make the festival run as smoothly as possible for everyone.

Can you book me accommodation in the youth hostel?

Unfortunately, this is not possible this year. If you want to stay overnight at the youth hostel, you can book a place there yourself. Please note the regulations for overnight stays in youth hostels, especially the youth hostel pass, which can be purchased for only half a year. Guests from abroad need a foreign youth hostel pass.

I didn't get a workshop spot. Is there a waiting list?

If you did not get a place, you can set yourself on the waiting list of our ticket system Yesticket. You will then automatically get a mail if a spot opens up.

What happens if I have to cancel my participation?

Until July 31st you can cancel your workshop spot and we will refund your festival fee minus an administrative fee of 30 Euros. If you cancel your spot after July 31st, we can only refund your participation fee minus the administrative fee of 30 Euro if we can fill your place - you are also welcome to suggest a person. In case of cancellation, please contact us by mail.

Around the festival

Where does the festival take place?

The festival takes place mainly in and around the Jugendkulturhaus Cairo (Fred-Josef-Platz 3, 97082 Würzburg). The workshops will be at the Cairo, the elementary school, the church and the Youth Hostel, which are all nearby and within walking distance - here and there including some stairs and unfortunately barrier-free only to a limited extent. The shows in the evening take place at different venues in Würzburg. These are best reached on foot or by public transport.

When should I arrive?

Many participants already travel to our traditional opening gala. This always takes place on the Thursday evening before the festival weekend. We are happy if you are there. Of course you can also arrive on Friday for the workshops. Before the workshops you can arrive comfortably at the Cairo. While enjoying some snacks you can get to know the other participants and the festival team and clarify open questions. After a welcome we will start with the workshops. You can find the exact times in the schedule.

Which meals are included in the festival fee?

The festival package includes the following meals:

Friday: Dinner at the hostel
Saturday: Lunch and dinner at the youth hostel
Sunday: Breakfast provided by the festival team at the Jugendkulturhaus Cairo

In the youth hostel, water and juice will be provided free of charge with the meals. During the social program (e.g. coffee breaks, get together) you can buy drinks for little money.

Are tickets for the shows included in the festival package?

No. Since several shows are offered in parallel on the evenings, they run separately via Yesticket. As a workshop participant you can buy tickets at a reduced price. We will remind you in time by mail about the beginning of the presale. Please get your tickets for the shows of your choice early, as the shows are often sold out.

Is it possible to help out with the festival?

Yes! We are very happy for your support! Just send an email and we will get back to you.