Model of Superintendence Undergoing Trial
In the picturesque town of Konstanz, the Theater Konstanz is making waves with its innovative project, "Role Change." Funded by the Innovation Fund Art of the Ministry of Culture, this pioneering initiative aims to challenge traditional structures of patriarchal-led Intendant theater.
At the heart of "Role Change" is a shift away from the traditional model where a single Intendant (artistic director) holds most of the decision-making power. Instead, the project empowers all interested employees, including craftsmen, administrators, and actors, to decide which play will be performed, which director team will be engaged, and which actors will take the stage. This move towards a more collaborative, inclusive process is aimed at promoting participatory decision-making and disrupting the classic model of hierarchical control.
The project is a natural extension of Theater Konstanz's recent performances, such as the open-air Dreigroschenoper that highlighted collaborative authorship and meta-theatrical intervention to spotlight marginalized contributors. It continues the trend towards participatory and decentralized theater-making, challenging traditional patriarchal norms.
"Role Change" also aims to achieve the highest result quality through participation, real power sharing, and decision-making responsibility on all levels. The initiative promotes self-responsibility and questions the established organization and structure of the theater.
The project was initiated by Dramaturg Maike Sasse and Intendant Karin Becker. Organizational developer and coach Charlotte Koppenhöfer accompanies and advises the participants of "Role Change."
The MeToo debate has brought the issue of sexualized abuse of power in the cultural sector, particularly in theater and film, to the forefront. A study revealed that over 50 percent of the participants had experienced power abuse at least once in their career. Schmidt, from the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt/Main, concluded that power is the structure- and organization-shaping principle in the theater, and that theaters are structurally set up to promote the abuse of power, with no guidelines or codes of conduct to regulate the use of power in theaters.
Despite many discussions, the situation regarding sexualized abuse of power in the theater and film has not significantly improved. The documentary "Against Silence - Power Abuse in Theater and Film" by Kira Gantner on NDR television in December 2024 underscores this point.
As for the future, it remains to be seen how the results of the project "Role Change" can be integrated into the theater business and other productions. However, it is clear that "Role Change" is a significant step towards restructuring theatrical leadership to be more egalitarian and inclusive, moving away from the traditional model where a single Intendant dominates artistic and organizational decisions, and towards shared creative agency and empowerment across theater collaborators.
For more specific details about "Role Change," it would be advisable to consult Theater Konstanz’s official publications or contact their artistic administration directly.
