German Academy of Performing Arts
Professional services
UnclaimedA German academy and professional association representing practitioners and institutions across theatre, film, television, and radio.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Deutsche Akademie der Darstellenden Künste, or German Academy of Performing Arts, is a German professional and cultural association for the performing arts. Founded in Hamburg in 1956, it brings together members drawn from theatre, film, television, radio, and related artistic and professional fields. Its role is principally representational, curatorial, and award-oriented rather than commercial: it provides a forum for debate about the performing arts, supports public recognition of artistic achievement, and organizes or contributes to events concerned with contemporary theatre and performance. The academy was conceived in the post-war period as both a professional gathering and a possible workshop or educational institution. Erwin Piscator served as its first president. The intended teaching function was not ultimately developed, but the organization continued as an academy and association for practitioners in the German-speaking cultural landscape. Its membership and activities reflect the interconnection of stage performance with broadcasting, cinema, television, dramaturgy, directing, criticism, and other theatrical professions. The organization initially operated from Hamburg. In 1962 it relocated to Frankfurt am Main, where it developed a substantial program of experimental and discussion-oriented activity. Among its notable initiatives were the Experimenta weeks, a series of events devoted to experimental theatre. Editions were held in 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, and 1975. A further edition in 1990 focused on works by Heiner Müller and was presented at Frankfurt's Theater am Turm. The seventh Experimenta followed in 2001, demonstrating the academy's continuing interest in new theatrical forms and challenging contemporary work. The academy is also associated with awards intended to honor significant achievement in directing and acting. Its best-known prizes include the Gertrud-Eysoldt-Ring, awarded for outstanding acting, and the Förderpreis für Regie, a support prize for directing. These awards were already being presented before the academy left Frankfurt and became important elements of its public profile. A change in the institution's circumstances followed Frankfurt's withdrawal of financial support. The academy subsequently moved to Bensheim, where it is based today. Its activities and events have been supported through a combination of foundations, public-sector assistance, broadcasters, and sponsors. This mixed support structure is consistent with the academy's status as a cultural and professional institution rather than a conventional commercial enterprise. The academy's public-facing work includes maintaining professional exchange, supporting artistic recognition, and contributing to discussion of developments in the performing arts. It should not be confused with a conventional school or conservatory: although education was part of its original conception, the available historical account indicates that this teaching mission was not realized as initially envisaged. The academy remains focused on representation, cultural programming, prizes, and the recognition of work across theatre and adjacent media.
History
The Deutsche Akademie der Darstellenden Künste was established in Hamburg in 1956 as a professional and cultural academy for the performing arts. Its founding concept combined representation, artistic exchange, and an intended workshop or educational role. Erwin Piscator was its first president. Although the educational component was not realized as planned, the academy continued as an association for professionals connected with theatre, film, television, and radio. In 1962, the academy moved from Hamburg to Frankfurt am Main. Frankfurt became the principal setting for a number of its most visible experimental initiatives. The academy organized Experimenta, a series of event weeks devoted to experimental theatre, in 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, and 1975. The program returned in 1990 with a presentation of works by Heiner Müller at Theater am Turm in Frankfurt. A seventh Experimenta was held in 2001, extending the academy's record of engagement with innovative and non-traditional performance. The academy also developed a lasting role as an awarding institution. The Gertrud-Eysoldt-Ring recognizes outstanding acting, while the Förderpreis für Regie supports and highlights achievement in directing. These prizes had already become associated with the academy before its eventual departure from Frankfurt. After Frankfurt withdrew financial support, the academy relocated to Bensheim. The move marked a transition away from its Frankfurt base while preserving its work as a professional and cultural organization. Its programs and events have received support from foundations, public authorities, broadcasters, and private sponsors. The academy's history therefore reflects both the cultural importance of German theatre institutions and their dependence on changing public and mixed-source funding arrangements. Based in Bensheim, the academy continues to represent a broad performing-arts field rather than a single theatrical discipline. Its sphere includes stage performance and related work in cinema, television, and radio. Its principal activities are professional exchange, public cultural programming, and the recognition of artistic achievement through awards. It is best understood as an academy and association, not as a conventional educational institution or commercial entertainment brand.
- 2001
Seventh Experimenta event
[1]The academy organized a seventh Experimenta program, continuing the series after the 1990 edition.
- 1990
Experimenta focused on Heiner Müller
[1]The sixth Experimenta event presented works by Heiner Müller at Theater am Turm in Frankfurt.
- 1975
Fifth Experimenta event
[1]The academy staged the fifth recorded Experimenta event, maintaining its commitment to experimental performance.
- 1971
Fourth Experimenta event
[1]A further Experimenta edition extended the academy's recurring platform for experimental theatre.
- 1969
Third Experimenta event
[1]The academy held a third Experimenta event as part of its Frankfurt-era experimental-theatre program.
- 1967
Second Experimenta event
[1]A second Experimenta program continued the academy's exploration of experimental theatrical practice.
- 1966
First Experimenta event
[1]The academy launched Experimenta, a program of event weeks focused on experimental theatre and contemporary performance.
- 1962
Relocation to Frankfurt
[1]The academy moved from Hamburg to Frankfurt am Main, which became the setting for several of its later experimental-theatre programs.
- 1956
Academy founded in Hamburg
[1]The Deutsche Akademie der Darstellenden Künste was established in Hamburg to bring together professionals from theatre and related performing-arts fields. Erwin Piscator became its first president.
Relocation to Bensheim
[1]Following the withdrawal of Frankfurt's financial support, the academy moved to Bensheim, where it is based.
Products and positioning
A German cultural and professional academy that connects theatre and broader performing-arts communities, promotes artistic exchange, and recognizes achievement through awards and public programs.
Acting award
Gertrud-Eysoldt-Ring
An award associated with the academy that recognizes notable achievement in acting. It forms part of the institution's long-standing role in giving public recognition to excellence in German-speaking theatre and performance.
Directing award
Förderpreis für Regie
A directing support prize connected with the academy. It highlights achievement in theatre direction and reflects the institution's interest in encouraging and recognizing directors and emerging artistic work.
Experimental theatre program · 1966
Experimenta
A series of event weeks devoted to experimental theatre and contemporary performance. Editions were held in 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1990, and 2001, with the 1990 edition presenting works by Heiner Müller at Theater am Turm in Frankfurt.
Marketing campaigns
- 2001Seventh Experimenta
Germany
The academy organized a seventh edition of Experimenta, continuing its event-based support for experimental theatrical work.
Outcome. The event extended the academy's documented Experimenta program into the twenty-first century.
- 1990Experimenta: Heiner Müller program
Germany
The sixth Experimenta event presented works by Heiner Müller at Theater am Turm in Frankfurt.
Outcome. It revived the Experimenta series after the earlier 1970s editions and reinforced the academy's engagement with modern experimental theatre.
- 1966Experimenta
Germany
The academy began a recurring experimental-theatre program in Frankfurt, creating a forum for unconventional performance and artistic experimentation.
Outcome. The program returned in several later editions and became one of the academy's notable historical activities.
Brand decisions
1962
Move from Hamburg to FrankfurtStrategyBackground
The academy changed its base six years after its creation, relocating to Frankfurt am Main.
Action taken
It transferred its principal location and developed its subsequent experimental-theatre activity in Frankfurt.
Aftermath
Frankfurt became an important setting for Experimenta and other academy activities until the later move to Bensheim.
- Relocation from Frankfurt to BensheimStrategy
Background
Frankfurt withdrew its financial support for the academy.
Action taken
The academy moved to Bensheim, where it established its current base.
Aftermath
The academy continued its association, award, and cultural-program activities from Bensheim with support from foundations, public bodies, broadcasters, and sponsors.
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