Junges Schauspiel Hannover

The Junge Schauspiel Hannover opened in 2007 under Wilfried Schulz and is now part of the Niedersächsisches Staatstheater Hannover. Its two small stages, Ballhof Eins and Ballhof Zwei, sit in the heart of Hannover’s Altstadt. The theatre began life entirely in the Ballhof but now uses all the main house stages as well. Barbara Kantel took charge in 2017 and widened the repertoire to include fresh new plays alongside classics reimagined for younger audiences. Since Sonja Anders became artistic director in 2019 the theatre has built a programme that brings together different generations. Every year the house produces special projects with professional artists for the Ballhof stages. Young people run the Ballhof Café and curate the House of Many, booking bands, readings and concerts. The Balljugend-Clubs rehearse there under guidance from theatre professionals. The theatre’s education arm offers schools and students workshops and holiday camps, while the Playstation-Jugendclubs let teenagers devise shows that later open in the Cumberlandsche Bühne. Each autumn the Jugend spielt für Jugend festival gives school and youth groups their own stage.