Dear international Festival enthusiasts, you will find one page of information we provide in English on this website. Usually it is possible to translate websites via your browser (for example Mozilla Firefox or Safari for MAC). Feel free to explore our website using a browser translator. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Welcome to
Rampenlichter Festival!
Rampenlichter is an international youth cultural dance and theatre festival in Germany and a laboratory for the art by young people between the ages of 6 and 27. It takes place every two years in Munich for two weeks and presents various productions by young artists.
Plays at Rampenlichter are eye-opening: they allow insights into the world of children, teenagers and young adults and show their view of the world and how they express themselves artistically. Rampenlichter makes visible what moves and touches young people today. But the festival is also a temporary artistic community – whether as a spectator or as a participant in workshops, as a discussion partner or co-creator of an artistic process – by being together and exchanging ideas with each other, Rampenlichter becomes a laboratory for a future vision of social coexistence based on the principles and power of art and play.
The 14th Rampenlichter Festival brought over 160 young artists from across Europe to the stage of Munich’s Kreativquartier in July 2025. Through moving dance and theatre productions, they showcased the power and diversity of young perspectives and the potential that lies in the interplay between art and democracy.
The 15th festival edition will take place July 9-23, 2027.
Open call for productions for the 15th festival edition in July 2027
vorlesen
Be part of Rampenlichter in July, 2027! Application period will start on 1st of November 2026. We are looking for plays by kids, teens and young adults (age 6-27 years) wether it is dance, theatre, performance or dance-theatre. In 2027, the festival will have a focus topic we call DemocrARTcy: together we will explore how our joint artistic work can contribute to democracy, participation, diversity and freedom. Your plays are welcome to match, but all other topics will – as always – find their space and their stage as well!
Apply with plays that have been created independently or in co-production with adults!
The application form will be online from Nov 1, 2026 till January 11, 2027. Please check our frequently asked questions down below for more information or contact us if you have any questions according your application or the festival.
Invited groups will spend an inspiring week together with other young artists at the festival in Munich in July 2027. Groups from Munich, other counties in Germany and international groups will come together with their own program – the ArtExchange program for young artists.
We are looking for your plays by and with children from the age of 6, teenagers and young adults up to the age of 27 for the 15th Rampenlichter Festival!
We are looking for productions that have been created independently or in co-production with adults, but with significant artistic participation by young artists up to the age of 27, for example in independent projects, in the youth center, in the theater group or in the dance combo.
We bring together:
- Mixed-abled groups and inclusive ensembles
- Children’s groups from 6 years
- Youth groups
- Next gen up to 27 years
- Munich groups
- International groups
Do you have any Questions?
Your contact:
Angela Scheier
Tel. +49 (0) 178 7369706
Office hours:
Mo. 2 – 4 pm
Do. 10 am – 12 pm
info@rampenlichter.com
For more detailed information in English please contact us: info@rampenlichter.com
Application process
Who can apply?
Applications are open to groups with dancers or performers between the ages of 6 and 27. Deviations from this age range may be possible upon consultation (e.g. in the case of intergenerational productions). However, we place great importance on the majority of the performers fitting within the specified age range.
The pieces may be developed independently, within youth cultural contexts, in cultural education settings, in collaboration with schools, dance and theatre institutions, or within independent groups and structures. They may also originate from open child and youth work and be created by individuals or collectives.
We are looking for works that are created with significant artistic involvement by children and young people, by young people or young adults themselves, or in the context of co-productions (adult and young artists in co-production). The specific approach to artistic collaboration, co-production, and participation must be clearly and explicitly described by the project lead in the application form and is a selection criterion.
What criteria must my production fulfill?
The selection of productions is based on a wide range of criteria, with the aim of representing the greatest possible diversity within the festival. This includes a broad spectrum of production contexts, project constellations, as well as the diversity of artistic forms and themes. Particular attention is given to the specific qualities of works created with children, as well as works created by young people or young adults.
We aim to present a balanced mix of children’s productions and youth productions, as well as a range of artistic formats such as dance, theatre, performance, and dance theatre. In addition, we strive for diversity in terms of mixed-ability groups, inclusive productions, and thematic variety.
Rampenlichter productions are characterised by strongly reflecting the artistic perspectives of young people. This is evident in the artistic realisation, including texts, compositions, and aesthetic choices.
In the case of co-productions between adults and children or young people, the artistic participation and active involvement of the young participants is essential. This must be clearly stated and described in detail in the application form.
When can I apply?
The application period for the 15th Rampenlichter Festival runs from November 1, 2026 to January 11, 2027. Applications can be submitted via our website during this time.
The link to the application form will be active from November 1, 2026 until January 11, 2027 (midnight). We must receive the complete application by this deadline in order for it to be considered. The application must include a binding confirmation of attendance from all participants for the two-week festival period; any necessary arrangements must be made in advance.
If you don’t want to miss the application period, we recommend subscribing to our email newsletter and following us on Instagram. To sign up, simply send an email to info@rampenlichter.com.
What material should be submitted with the application?
As part of the application, a video recording of a rehearsal or performance in a wide shot must be submitted. There is no need to edit the video; it may also show an excerpt of the work in progress. What matters is that the selection committee can gain an impression of the artistic concept, the working methods, and the collaborative process.
The video must be provided via a link and must be downloadable. Suitable platforms include Vimeo, YouTube, or SwissTransfer.
In addition, photos or project materials can be submitted.
As part of the application process, the person completing the application form must confirm that the entire group will be fully available for the entire festival period (2nd and 3rd week of July 2027). If necessary, this availability must be arranged in advance with schools, workplaces, and legal guardians in order to submit a binding application.
How do I apply as mixed-abled production?
Inclusive productions should apply via the standard application form on rampenlichter.com between 1 November 2026 and 11 January 2027.
We are constantly striving to reduce barriers to application and participation and will support you wherever we can. Of course, supervisors or support persons can travel with all groups as part of the group. Our venues and accommodation are fully accessible.
If you have any questions or require further discussion, please contact Stephanie Riedle from our team:
Stephanie Riedle
s.riedle@culture-clouds.de
Tel. +49 (0) 89 52300695
Participation in the festival
How long do groups stay at the festival?
All groups attend the festival for one full week during the festival period (either 2nd or 3rd week of July, depending on your invitation to the festival) and will receive an individual schedule before arrival. The opening group arrives one day earlier.
During your stay, you will spend your days entirely at the festival venue and are required to participate in the ArtExchange artist program. This includes attending performances, shared meals and breaks, discussions, various workshops, and evening programs after the performances. This also applies to groups based in Munich.
The program is suitable for all participants and includes breaks and mealtimes. Any individual needs should be discussed with us as early as possible.
For the duration of your stay, the project management may need to arrange school exemptions in advance. Upon request, we are happy to provide official confirmation of your invitation to the festival.
Provisional Schedule (subject to change)
As a children’s group (ages 6–11), you will spend 5 days (4 nights) at the festival together with other children’s and youth groups. Arrival is usually on Fridays, and you will stay until Tuesday (groups performing on Friday may need to arrive on Thursday).
As a youth group (ages 12–27), you will spend 6 or 7 days (5 or 6 nights) at the festival together with other children’s and youth groups. Arrival is usually on Fridays, and you will stay until Wednesday (groups performing on Friday may need to arrive on Thursday).
Groups from Munich are required to attend for the same duration as all other children’s or youth groups. As the festival does not take place during school holidays, participants from Munich will need official exemption from school (or leave from work, if applicable).
What includes the program for invited groups?
Participation in Rampenlichter is shaped not only by the presentation of performances, but above all by the opportunity for young artists to meet, connect, and work together creatively. Through a variety of encounter formats, groups exchange ideas, experiment and try out new approaches, learn new techniques from and with each other, and reflect on their own artistic practice.
Each group receives an individual ArtExchange program and will be mixed with other participating groups. The program includes attending performances by other productions, workshops led by or for other groups or students, workshops by professional dance and theatre educators, as well as various discussion formats. Participation in the ArtExchange program is mandatory for the entire group. Accompanying persons are not included as participants.
Which costs are covered?
Rampenlichter covers the costs of accommodation (including breakfast) for national and international groups for the entire group, including accompanying persons.
All groups, including those from Munich, will receive drinks and snacks throughout the day, as well as festival catering with a warm lunch and dinner on the festival grounds.
In addition, the costs for public transportation in Munich will be covered where needed. Any applicable royalties and GEMA fees will also be paid by Rampenlichter.
What costs are not covered?
Unfortunately, Rampenlichter is unable to cover travel costs to and from the festival. These must be paid by the participating groups themselves.
Likewise, no production costs, fees, or artist remuneration can be paid.
Festival FAQ
When does the next Festival take place?
The 15th Rampenlichter Festival will take place from July 9 to July 23, 2027.
Where does the festival take place?
Rampenlichter takes place in the Theater schwere reiter, in the Pathos Theater, and in various rooms in the Kreativquartier München.
Rampenlichter & accessibility
Rampenlichter is intended to be a festival by and for all children and young people, which is why we are committed to making the festival increasingly inclusive and removing barriers to access. This applies both to participation for children and young people with disabilities as well as unrestricted access to the festival grounds for visitors.