Helmut Stürmer (1942-2025)
The stage designer Helmut Stürmer, a close collaborator of the GSTT, has passed away after a long illness.
The 2025–2026 season at GSTT: education, festivals, premieres, and special events
The German State Theatre Timișoara (GSTT) unveils its program for the 2025–2026 season, a season that blends innovative educational projects with landmark artistic productions, aimed both at young audiences and those passionate about contemporary drama or musicals.
A central point of the new season is ImpulsTeatru, a pilot project for theatre education designed to create a bridge between theatre, education, and community. The project takes place in nine schools and high schools across Timiș County (Timișoara, Giroc, Sânnicolau Mare, and Lugoj) and is based on three socially and historically themed documentary performances from the GSTT repertoire: Humans. For Sale (written and directed by Carmen Lidia Vidu), Sidy Thal (written by Clemens Bechtel and Thomas Perle, directed by Clemens Bechtel), and The Dragon (written by Evgeny Schwarz, directed by Yuri Kordonsky).
Students and teachers are invited to go beyond the mere experience of watching a play, engaging instead in activities of preparation, analysis, and reflection. The project develops critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to understand contemporary historical and social realities. ImpulsTeatru is co-financed by the Timiș County Council through the “TimCultura 2025” program.
Also this season, as part of a long-standing collaboration between GSTT and the State Theatre of Bruchsal—which this year materialized in a stage exchange—the Bruchsal Theatre will present two productions from its own repertoire on the TGST stage: Else (January 21, 2026, directed by Gina Jasmina Wannenwetsch) and Jedermann (January 22, 2026, directed by Wolf E. Rahlfs). It should be noted that on April 5 and 6 of this year, TGST was invited to the 75th anniversary of the State Theatre of Bruchsal, where it performed Romanian Diary. Timișoara (directed by Carmen Lidia Vidu).
In addition to new international collaborations and educational projects, the German State Theatre Timișoara continues its tradition of hosting two established events this season as well: the NiL Theatre Long Weekend (April 24–26, 2026) – a program dedicated to young artists from the theatre troupe of the “Nikolaus Lenau” Theoretical High School in Timișoara, and the 24th edition of the International School and Youth Theatre Festival of German Expression (April 6–10, 2026) – an event that brings together students and companies from Romania and abroad in a wide-ranging artistic and intercultural exchange. Both events enrich the cultural landscape of the season, confirming GSTT’s role as a space for dialogue and growth for new generations of spectators and creators.
Premieres of the 2025–2026 season
The first premiere of the season is Heidi, directed by Petra Rațiu, with set design by Miruna Croitoru and a stage adaptation by Thomas Birkmeir based on the novel by Johanna Spyri. The classic story of the little orphan who softens her grandfather’s heart is reimagined on the TGST stage as a production full of joy and sensitivity. The performance highlights universal themes such as friendship, family, and the meaning of “home,” in a form that is both accessible and moving for young audiences. The premiere will take place on November 12, at 6:00 p.m.
Another major highlight of the season is the premiere of Penthesilea. A Requiem, directed by Eberhard Köhler with set design by Ioana Popescu. The text, by Georgian author Nino Haratischwili, reinterprets the myth of the Amazon queen, exploring themes such as heroism, destiny, and impossible love. The performance also holds special symbolic value, marking 55 years on the GSTT stage for actress Ida Jarcsek-Gaza. The premiere will take place on December 14, at 7:30 p.m.
The season will continue with the musical Sister Act, directed by Răzvan Mazilu, inspired by the famous film and the disco energy of the 1970s. Audiences will discover the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a young woman with an extraordinary voice, caught between the dangerous world of gangsters and the peaceful life of a convent. Full of rhythm, comedy, and emotion, the performance promises to be one of the highlights of the new theatre season, bringing to the GSTT stage the exuberance and power of the musical genre, along with the unmistakable directorial vision of Răzvan Mazilu (who previously directed The Jungle Book and Cabaret at GSTT). The premiere will take place on February 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
The 2025–2026 season of the German State Theatre Timișoara is built around the idea of dialogue between arts, generations, and communities: from theatre education for young people, to reinterpretations of classic stories, to landmark productions that celebrate established artists.
We look forward to seeing you!
