Theater in der Meerwiese, Photo: Markus Beckmann;
Theater im Pumpenhaus; Photo: Hanna Neander;
Theater Münster, Photo: Thilo Beu
WESTWIND 2026 from 30 May 2026 to 5 June 2026
42nd NRW theatre convention for young audiences WESTWIND 2026 goes Münster!
Westwind, the festival for young audiences, is coming to Münster—and bringing a breath of fresh air! WESTWIND 2026 considers itself as a festival and a workshop, as a space to perform and a space to explore. It invites audiences to theatre experiences that take a stance, to discussions that challenge us, and to workshops that not only impart knowledge, but courage and new perspectives as well.
Junges Theater Münster and echtzeit-theater Münster will assume artistic directorship of the 2026 edition of the festival—two different theatre companies that make theatre for young audiences in very distinct ways coming together to pursue a clear, unified vision. They are additionally joined by Theater in der Meerwiese, Theater im Pumpenhaus and other artistic partners working together to further advance the diversity and quality of art for young audiences in Münster.
Junges Theater Münster, as a firmly established division of the Münster municipal theatre, and echtzeit-theater, as an independent ensemble with a clear focus on young audiences, are consciously joining forces: by working together, they demonstrate how diverse theatre can be, not only artistically but also structurally—whether anchored in a city theatre or freelance in the independent scene. Both stand for theatre that asks questions, opens up perspectives and creates spaces where young people can discover themselves—and get to know each other. Junges Theater Münster tells stories that not only depict what is, but also sketch out what could be. They explore new horizons and find beauty in unexpected places. echtzeit-theater focuses on radical closeness: direct, open, experimental. There, theatre does not mean simply watching, but also reflecting, having a say and getting involved.
At the heart of the festival are ten outstanding productions from NRW, selected by a committee of experts out of an array of applications submitted by independent ensembles, municipal theatres and state institutions. Complementing this selection, an international programme from a variety of countries will feature exciting productions for different age groups. The festival is accompanied by a themed programme of supporting events: workshops, round-table discussions, panels and lectures as well as the Next Generation programme, offering opportunities for exchange, education and participation.
Children and teens are not merely the audience of tomorrow—they can actively shape the theatre of today: as spectators, as participants, as providers of ideas. We will place this focus at the centre of our programme.
Performing arts for young audiences, with all of its various structural facets and artistic modes of expression, is not merely a “nice-to-have”. It is loud. It is necessary. It is alive. WESTWIND 2026 invites you to experience this together. In Münster. On stage. In the city. In conversation. In person.
Application for NRW productions
Application period for NRW productions: 1 July 2025 – 20 October 2025
Viewing period for NRW productions: 1 August 2025 – 8 February 2026
The WESTWIND 2026 application form can be downloaded here.
Simplified - binding - preliminary notification of viewing dates:
Please note: For a complete application, the separate application form plus attachments must be submitted by the end of the application period. The preliminary notification of viewing dates using this form is solely for the purpose of early communication of viewing dates.
Please send applications exclusively to westwind2026@echtzeit-theater.de
Selection Committee
Emmanuel Edoror studied physical theatre (graduated in 2020: artist diploma) and now works as an actor, dancer and choreographer. He has been acting and choreographing at Cactus Junges Theater in Münster since 2007. In recent years, he has worked as an actor/performer for various independent theatre companies (including Formation Silvia Jedrusiak/ Münster, echtzeit-theater/ Münster, theaterkohlenpott/ Herne, Vier.D/ Dortmund)
David Gruschka obtained his B.A. in theatre education at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and studied “Devising Theatre and Performance” at the London International School of Performing Arts. Since 2011, he has worked with echtzeit-theater to develop artistic formats for young people and is constantly in search of new spaces for collaboration, participatory formats and transparent styles. David Gruschka works as a lecturer in the fields of theatre for young audiences, acting, directing and cultural management and serves on various cultural policy committees and juries.
Angela Merl has been head of Junges Theater and the arts outreach department at Theater Münster since 2022/23. She previously served as a theatre educator and dramaturge for theatre for young audiences at Junges Schauspielhaus Hamburg and Theater Bonn. She has initiated many interdisciplinary, participatory projects focussing on equitable opportunities. Her productions have been invited to festivals and have won several awards. She was one of four spokespeople of the TYA workgroup in NRW and is currently a member of the board of ASSITEJ Germany.
Reut Shemesh is an Israeli choreographer and artist who studied at ArtEZ Institute of the Arts in Arnhem (Netherlands), among others. In her interdisciplinary works—between contemporary dance, film and photography—she explores social themes such as uniformity, belonging and identity. Her internationally featured works are characterised by a strong visual language, documentary research and her personal perspectives as a woman, a mother and a migrant.