FRATZ Encounters

The FRATZ Encounters are an integral part of the overall concept of FRATZ International.

Through a workshop programme involving several daycare groups across different districts of Berlin, they create artistic encounters between children, parents, early childhood educators, theatre educators, and artists.

The FRATZ Encounters are based on the conviction that theatre is uniquely suited to helping people discover and develop a sense of their own agency.

These encounters open up spaces for art: playful, experimental environments where children and adults can explore different ways of acting, expressing themselves, and engaging with one another. Alongside the aesthetic experience, these protected spaces offer children opportunities for participation and belonging, and may provide their very first encounter with theatre.

The programme includes several artistic encounters for each participating group of children. Its highlight is a visit to a festival guest performance taking place in their own neighbourhood. Shortly beforehand, the children meet "their" artists when they visit the daycare centre to lead a workshop connected to their performance, creating an early and personal connection before the theatre experience itself.