Interview on nachtkritik.de: Christopher Balme on the Crisis Discourse in Theatre

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Interview on nachtkritik.de: Christopher Balme on the Crisis Discourse in Theatre

Christopher Balme reflects on the changing role of theatre institutions in times of perceived crisis in a recent interview marking the publication of the final volume of the DFG research unit Krisengefüge der Künste, which he led from 2018 to 2025.

Drawing on seven years of collaborative research, Balme argues that “crisis” should be understood less as decline than as a driver of institutional transformation. The project shows how theatres increasingly legitimize themselves not only through artistic excellence but also through their social role — addressing diversity, fostering public debate, and engaging urban communities.

Despite ongoing discussions about a loss of relevance and growing financial pressure, the research highlights the resilience and continued public acceptance of German theatre institutions.

The full interview is available on nachtkritik.de.