Artist Training - Course: PERFORMING ARTS

Artist Training
20 to 27 October 2026: Basic tools for a new start in the Berlin performing arts scene by Maryna Makarenko and Anna Volkland

For artists and cultural professionals from diverse areas of the performing arts – like performers and actors, dancers and choreographers, performance makers, directors or dramaturges – who were at risk in their home countries and moved to Berlin, we offer a rich 2-weeks training program to support the start of a new career path in and connection to the diverse performing arts scene of Berlin. The joint training program will comprise at least 18 hours of input, workshops and excursions (up to 4 or 5 hours a day), and additional one-to-one mentoring sessions to focus on individual questions and advice within the time frame of our program.
Facilitators: Anna Volkland, dramaturg and teacher, and Maryna Makarenko, Ukrainian-born multidisciplinary artist and performer. Both have been supervisors together in the Artist Training for Performing Arts 2025, and together with other tandem teachers: Anna since 2016 and until 2020 (partly together with Anis Hamdoun), Maryna between 2022 and 2023 (together with Nora Amin). They also lead a project week together in the frame of Kollisionen 2025 in UdK Berlin - *Center for Witchcraft as an Anarchist Technique for Subversion* - which was such a good experience that they like to teach and create space for other artists to learn and develop together again. Both are sensitive about discrimination and know how to deal with cultural differences. They speak English, German and Ukrainian. Working in Berlin since 2009 respectively 2011, both of them can offer a broad network in the performing arts field in Berlin and Germany, including international contacts.
Program:

Tuesday, 20.10.2026
11.00 - 12.30 Introduction and getting to know the group, sharing your own artistic position
12.45 - 13.45 Movement/Somatic focus
14.00 - 15.00 Theoretical Input I: “Overview of the Berlin performing arts landscape, production and presentation venues and supporting organizations”

Wednesday, 21.10.2026
11.00 - 12.00 Theoretical Input II: “Do Performing Arts have a political task? Ideas on the social impact in German theatre history and presence”
12.15 - 13.15 Movement/Voice
13.30 - 15.00 Practical Workshop I: Show a piece of your own artistic work + receive feedback from us and the group

Friday, 23.10.2026
11.00 - 12.00 Theoretical Input III:
“What’s the difference between PERFORMANCES in the field of Fine Arts or Performing Arts?”
[or another topic prepared reacting on the questions and needs of the participants]
12.15 - 13.15 Movement
13.30 - 15.00 Practical Workshop II:

Friday, 23.10.2026
[17.30 - 21.30] Excursion I to a performing arts venue with talks and visiting showings/ performances, tbc

Monday, 26.10.2026
[17.30 - 22.30] Excursion II to a performing arts venue with talks and visiting showings/ performances, tbc

Tuesday, 27.10.2026 OR Wednesday, 28.10.2026
11.00 - 15.00 Final Showing and Sharing with extended feedback


Venue: Universität der Künste Berlin, Hochschulübergreifendes Zentrum Tanz,

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ARTIST TRAINING has been a programme for artists at risk at the Berlin University of the Arts since 2016. The programme, which includes training and advisory services, includes sector-specific courses, workshops on self-employment, instructional films, excursions and one-to-one consultations. In total, over 900 people from the fields of music, visual arts, performing arts, film and, initially, cultural journalism have been supported in their strategic positioning and further professional development. Over the years, a Germany-wide network has emerged through various projects, including: the KONRAD WOLF Film University Babelsberg (2016-2021), INTRO of the Hamburg Cultural Authority, Global Board Hannover (2020-21), the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts (2025-26) and Scholars at Risk Berlin-Brandenburg (2024 onwards). The overarching objectives are to transfer transcultural artistic practice into the cultural and creative industries and to the Berlin University of the Arts, and to foster networking and visibility within higher education institutions through working groups, specialist conferences and the Academic Freedom Week. In addition, internal event series, research papers, blog posts and podcasts on institutional transformation processes are being developed.

More information:
www.udk-berlin.de/ziw/artisttraining
www.facebook.com/artisttraining.udk.berlin
artist.training

Lehrende
Chris Kondek