How power and consent can transform theatre rehearsals

By combining methods from psychoanalysis, consent training and the tradition of Regietheater, Johannes contributes new tools for creating sustainable, transparent and artistically productive rehearsal spaces.

A changed rehearsal space after #MeToo
Johannes says that he clearly noticed how #MeToo changed the space where performing arts are created:

"I noticed a shift in the 'dimensions' of the rehearsal space. Theatre makers began to question where the space begins and ends, and this became particularly clear in the relationship between actors and directors," says Johannes.

At the same time, there was an intense debate about the future of Regietheater after Frank Castorf's departure from the renowned Volksbühne theatre in Berlin, in which Johannes asked whether this tradition had come to a standstill – or whether it could be saved without its institutional backbone.

Idealised rehearsals and writing as a method
To explore power, responsibility and intuition in the rehearsal room, Johannes invited fellow actors to three artistic pre-studies:

"I created idealised rehearsal situations where we could try out different degrees of the actor's scope for action and see how it affects the director's position," explains Johannes.
Writing also became a method, where Johannes worked with autobiographical material from his own working life and put it in dialogue with theory – a way of elevating experiences from memory notes to knowledge formation.

Consent enhances rather than limits directing
Several unexpected insights emerged during the work. Johannes was surprised by how closely Betty Martin’s Wheel of Consent model aligns with some of the core principles of Regietheater. Contrary to his expectations, the model did not lead to an equalisation of authorship, but rather to a clearer and more responsible asymmetry between actors and the director.

Regie theatre can be renewed – through consent
Johannes' research shows that it is possible to combine the artistic power of Regietheater with modern working methods:
"My main thesis is that Regietheater can be renewed without nostalgic defence. The director's unique artistic voice – Regie – has a legitimate place in a consent-based rehearsal room," says Johannes.

Significance for the industry
Johannes believes that the new knowledge that has emerged from the research is particularly valuable for the younger generation of theatre makers.

"Our directing students show that these issues are highly relevant. Being able to offer concepts, tools and practices that help them navigate the relationship between power and intuition feels very meaningful," concludes Johannes.

The research thus makes an important contribution to how the theatre of the future can be organised – both artistically and in terms of the working environment.