Concerts, museums, theaters – they all have to cease operations right now. Many volunteers in the field of culture and education are also affected by the restrictions in the cultural sector. When everything is closed, is there any work left for the volunteers?
I asked Feli (18), Mira (18) and Anna (18), whom I got to know at our first educational seminar, this question. The three are doing their voluntary service at the Münchner Kammerspiele. They told me about their everyday life and how they experienced the lockdown in the theater.
Theater rehearsals under hygiene regulations
The answer to the question of what influence Corona has on work in the theater surprised me. “Corona has not really changed much for me,” explains Mira. She works in the dramaturgy of the Kammerspiele. There you take care of the content-related questions about a theater production, including the compilation of the program and events.
Despite Corona restrictions, Mira is currently involved in a dramaturgy internship. “That means I am a permanent part of a play and accompany the rehearsals.” Because the game has stopped, but the work behind the scenes continues.
Samples can, for example, be carried out under hygiene regulations. Means: The actors are not allowed to touch and keep a minimum distance from one another when they speak. If props are handed over, the hands must be disinfected and the number of people on stage is kept as small as possible.
The work continues – also in the artistic production office
Feli and Anna can continue their work despite the game operations being closed. The two work in the artistic production office. “The tasks here vary completely every day,” explains Feli. You and Anna are responsible for a lot of organizational activities.
This includes, among other things, travel and hotel bookings for the artists, the organization of ensemble photo shoots and special events or the accompaniment of guest performances. When the performances are discontinued, some of these tasks are no longer necessary.
However, work in the office and the planning of future projects can also be continued regardless of the corona restrictions. “There are a lot of considerations about alternative projects,” says Feli. “At the moment there are many ideas emerging on how to creatively deal with the restrictions in order to remain visible in spite of everything,” reports Anna.
The Kammerspiele – a versatile location
This versatility is what Anna values so much about her position. All the threads came together in the artistic production office, she says. You get a good overview of the many different departments.
When asked what she particularly liked about the place of work, Feli replied: “The atmosphere in the theater! Everyone says hello and makes a duel.” You can also meet exciting people there. “You run into artists so often that you have only seen on stage so far.”
Mira also finds this particularly nice: “At the Kammerspiele so many people with different professions and skills work together on a project.” She thinks it is particularly great “that everyone speaks to one another on an equal footing and shows consideration for each other, even when it is a very stressful time for everyone.”
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