THROUGH THE CITY - Darmstadt

Neighborhoods on the edges hold a certain magic. Their quiet streets, layered histories, and the mix of people who call them home all carry stories. Between the open spaces of Kranichstein and the vibrant renewal of Lincoln Siedlung, a new kind of theatre is taking shape—one that invites people to connect, share, and create together.

​

This isn’t a performance that starts under bright lights or on polished stages. It begins where life happens: in kitchens, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops. It grows from the everyday moments we often overlook—shared glances, fleeting conversations, the rhythm of daily life. Here, the stage is the community itself, alive with stories waiting to be told.

​

Through the City is part of a Creative Europe initiative, developed in collaboration with partners in Estonia and Latvia. Inspired by successful projects in Tartu and Valka+Valga, it builds on their experience of using theatre to bring communities together. This project explores what makes neighborhoods unique while addressing challenges like segregation, migration, and belonging.

​

In Darmstadt, we’ll work with residents—newcomers, long-time locals, families, and individuals—to uncover the stories that shape their lives. From the journeys that brought them here to the small, meaningful moments of everyday life, these stories will form a collective portrait of the district and its people.

​

Workshops and gatherings will create spaces where connections can grow. People will meet across divides—those who might never have spoken, who carry different histories but share the same streets. Stories of resilience, migration, and identity will emerge, showing the many threads that weave a community together.

The final performance will transform the neighborhood into a stage. Familiar streets, courtyards, and shared spaces will take on new meanings as they become part of the story. Audiences will step into this world, seeing the city through new eyes, and find themselves reflected in the lives of others.

​

With the support of Creative Europe and partners like Prothemus, Initium, and Baltic Applied Theatre School, Through the City is part of a larger effort to use theatre as a tool for inclusion and resilience. The project aims to create a blueprint for cities across Europe to foster connection and understanding through the power of community theatre.

​

Come listen. Come share. Walk with us Through the City.