Experiencing Interruptions?

Theatre Without Audience

Der Gründer der Gießener Schule, Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth (1927–2019), prägte im Nachkriegseuropa den Begriff „postdramatisches Theater“ für eine Theaterform, die keine feste Definition hat.

Ausgehend von seinem Interesse am Theater hatte ATW stets das Glück, zur richtigen Zeit am richtigen Ort zu sein: mit Kantor und Grotowski in Polen, mit Bertolt Brecht und der „Gruppe 47“ in Berlin sowie mit Gertrude Stein und Robert Wilson in New York. Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth lehrte Drama und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft an der Harvard University, der Yale School of Drama, in Oxford, Stanford und an der CUNY. 1982 kehrte er nach Europa zurück und gründete an der Universität Gießen die legendären „Angewandten Theaterwissenschaften“ (Applied Theatre Studies) - ein Seminar, aus dem Künstler und Gruppen wie Rimini Protokoll, Hans-Werner Kroesinger, Moritz Rinke, René Pollesch, Gob Squad und She She Pop hervorgegangen sind.

Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth brachte mit dem Institut für Angewandte Theaterwissenschaft in Giessen die Theaterbühne nach draußen. So sollte die pazifistische Mission des Theaters alle Menschen erreichen. Der Essayfilm "Theater Ohne Publikum" von Pawel Kocambasi betont und stärkt die Bedeutung demokratischer Werte, und macht deutlich, dass Demokratie funktionieren kann, weil Menschen am gesellschaftlichen Leben teilnehmen. Der Film verknüpft das Konzept eines "Theater Ohne Publikum" mit der Idee der polnischen "Solidarność", und lädt das Publikum dazu ein, sich an einem gemeinsamen Reflektionsprozess zu beteiligen.

Englisch

The founder of the Gießen School, Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth (1927-2019) invented the term "post-dramatic theater" in post-war Europe for a theater form that has no definition.

From the point of his interest in theater, ATW was always fortunate to be in the right place at the right time: with Kantor and Grotowski in Poland, Bertolt Brecht and 'Gruppe 47' in Berlin, Gertrude Stein and Robert Wilson in New York. Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth taught drama and comparative literature at Harvard, Yale School of Drama, Oxford, Stanford and the CUNY. In 1982 he returned to Europe and established the legendary 'Applied Theater Studies' (Angewandte Theater-Wissenschaften) at the University of Giessen, Germany - a seminary for artists like Rimini Protokoll, Hans Werner Kroesinger, Moritz Rinke, René Pollesch, Gob Squad and She She Pop.

Andrzej Wirth brought with the Institute for Applied Theatre Studies in Giessen the theatre stage outside. So that the pacifist mission of the theater reaches everyone. The essay film "Theatre Without Audience" by Pawel Kocambasi emphasizes and reinforces the importance of democratic values, making clear that democracy can function because people participate in social life. The film connects the concept of a "theatre without audience" with the idea of the Polish "Solidarność" movement and invites the audience to take part in a shared process of reflection.

you are part of the meaning which is now created

  • Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth
    Key Cast
    "ATW"
  • Pawel Kocambasi
    Director
  • Carolin Mader
    Codirector
  • Kristine Knudsen
    Producer
  • Tom Streuber
    Producer
  • Andrzej Tadeusz Wirth
    Writer
  • Pawel Kocambasi
    Writer
  • Alva Noto
    Music
  • Tadashi Tajima
    Music
  • Pawel Kocambasi
    Editor
  • Pawel Kocambasi
    Camera
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Theater Ohne Publikum
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 14 minutes 25 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany, Poland, Ukraine, United States
  • Language:
    English, German, Polish, Ukrainian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Canon 5d
  • Aspect Ratio:
    cinemascope
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Ukrainian Dream Film Festival
    Odessa
    Ukraine
    April 3, 2022
  • West Europe International Film Festival
    Brussels
    Belgium
    November 7, 2022
  • Polish Film Festival Los Angeles
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 25, 2023
  • Tokyo Film Awards
    Tokyo
    Japan
    June 6, 2022
    Honorable Mention
  • Berlin International Art Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    June 14, 2022
    Honorable Mention
  • BALKAN CINEFEST - Tirana Artscape
    Tirana
    Albania
    May 4, 2025
    Honorable Mention
  • Open Window International Film Challenge
    KOLKATA
    India
    July 14, 2022
    Award Winner
  • Poppy Film Festival
    Skopje
    North Macedonia
    May 1, 2023
    Award Winner
  • Martin E. Segal Theatre Center
    New York
    United States
    June 15, 2015
  • Hollywood Indie Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 19, 2025
    Best European Film
Distribution Information
  • Pawel Kocambasi
Director Biography - Pawel Kocambasi

Pawel Kocambasi's films include the shorts "Schlagzeuger" (1996), "Śmierć" (1997), "Stille Nacht" (1998), "Zwei" (1999), Hofer Filmtage and Camerimage; and the features "Der Rattenkoenig" (2003), winner of the Caligari Award for the best script, Cologne Conference, nominated for the German Television Award, "Tiger" (2006), Filmfest München, winner of the Biberach Filmfestival 2006, "Theatre Without Audience" (2015), premiered on the Volksbühne in Berlin, "4 m@xime" (2022), "The Friendly Society" (2024) and "The False Prophet" (2026)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

After I suggested the plot of "Theatre Without Audience" to Andrzej Wirth in 2010, he immediately agreed to the project. Your experience of the two bestial dictators, Hitler and Stalin, decisive for the founding of the Giessen School? "Yes, make this film exactly like that!"

We will visit with the camera as many of your most formative places as possible - including Pulemiec, in present-day Ukraine - while exploring your term "postdramatic theater".

Andrzej Wirth brought with the School of Giessen the theatre stage outside. So that the pacifist mission of the theater reaches everyone. May the film “Theater Without Audience", which conveys the theatrical idea of “life as a performance” be decisive for peace.