Director Kira Petrov is enthusiastic about the integration work at Theater 11. Theater 11
The director knows what it’s like to feel strange. At the age of 15 she came to Germany as a late repatriate from Siberia. Her start was anything but easy, but she has now found a new home in Bremen. Today, the actress and director in the Hanseatic city uses her Theater 11 projects to help children and young people from Ukraine and other countries integrate and believe in themselves.
Initially started as a small studio, Theater 11 in Bremen has now developed into a full-fledged cultural center. Every year the theater produces together with professional directors several demanding pieces without genre boundaries. The actors are mostly young people. “We started the first projects back then and many young people with a migrant background came to us. I quickly realized that working in and on stage was just as good for them as it was for me,” reports Kira Petrov in an interview. “There were more and more, because of course the siblings found out about the enthusiasm and wanted to be there too,” says the founder proudly. “I then decided to help the young people integrate with my work at Theater 11. The need was and is simply very great. Bremen is multicultural, so something just had to happen,” reports Petrov, who also appears on stage as a professional actress and director in some plays. “But my priority is clearly working with young people because it allows me to really live out my mission.”
The play “Like a Knight” runs in December at Theater 11. Theater 11
“Bremen has an enchanting, magical aura. I immediately fell in love with the city,” says Petrov. She compares Bremen to a “little fighter” who “always fights for his place under the sun”. “I have respect for that, I can identify with that very well,” said the director. She refers to Bremen’s tradition of integration, which can already be seen in the fairy tale of the Bremen Town Musicians. Integration, empowerment, language acquisition – terms that are widely discussed in politics and the media. Petrov takes the step from theory into practice and brings these concepts to life. With her projects, she helps children and young people from Ukraine, among other things, to discover their own strengths and bring them to light through theater. Petrovs Commitment to integration has a lot to do with her own biography. “We quickly realized that these children still need more. So we simply offered them afternoon groups.”
Theater 11 combines artistic standards with integration
The play “Mowgli” in Theater 11. Theater 11
Theater 11’s performances have repeatedly taken part in festivals in Germany, Russia, Belarus, Italy, the USA and other countries of the world. The theater team is always open to collaborations and new experiments. “But we are not a children’s theater,” says Petrov, emphasizing the ensemble’s artistic standards in an interview. “People up to the age of 30 can take part with us.” The restriction is also due to the limited space at Faulenstrasse 44-46. The former discotheque in the immediate vicinity of the Radio Bremen site and the adult education center has become a theater down to the last corner. “We have been looking for new premises for a long time, but unfortunately it is not easy,” reports the director. Despite the visible vacancy in the city center, there are hardly any options, according to Petrov. “Many investors seem to prefer to leave the rooms empty,” she says, a little upset.
Diverse theater for all ages in Theater 11 in Bremen. Theater 11
“The theater is a protected space in which everyone is perceived as they are,” emphasizes the director in an interview. “Without prejudice. And of course you can develop better there, you can of course learn the language much faster. Some of the students have only been here for six months, they go on stage and play in German – that’s integration,” says the director. Petrov is pleased about the collaboration with the Bremen education authority and the Bremen Theater: “The education authority was very open, very cooperative, that was great. And Bremen’s artistic director Michael Börgerding always has an open ear and an open heart for what we do.”
“There are always doors and paths that open and opportunities arise,” reports Petrov from experience. “I am so proud of what we have already achieved together here,” says the artist about the time so far and the theatrical successes in Bremen. “Almost 250 children and young people come to us every month and can pursue their passion for theater and acting as club members with a manageable contribution of 40 euros.” The committed artist invites anyone interested to attend a play in Theater 11 or become a member and attend workshops and rehearsals.
How has your personal journey as an actress and director influenced your commitment to integrating young people, especially those from migrant backgrounds, into the theater community at Theater 11?
Ed questions during the interview to elicit responses from Kira Petrov about her experiences as a theater director and her approach to integrating young people, particularly those with migrant backgrounds, into the world of theater. Begin by discussing how Theater 11 has evolved from a small studio into a significant cultural center and how Kira’s experiences as an actress and director shaped her commitment to helping young people integrate through her work at Theater 11.
Next, delve into the challenges and successes of integrating children and young people from diverse backgrounds through theater. You could ask questions like: What are some of the barriers you’ve encountered in promoting integration through theater? How do you ensure that all members feel included and supported in the Theater 11 community? Have there been any particularly memorable performances or experiences that stand out to you? Additionally, don’t shy away from discussing the personal side of Kira’s journey as an artist; ask about her own biography and how it informs her approach to leading Theater 11.
explore the impact of Theater 11’s work beyond Bremen city limits; ask about international collaborations and what it means for these young people to perform on stages around the world. Also, inquire about the challenges of finding adequate space for Theater 11’s operations and how this has affected its growth over the years.
Throughout the interview, maintain an open and curious attitude to help Kira Petrov share her perspective on these important topics. Encourage her to elaborate and expand on her experiences, and acknowledge the importance of her work in promoting diversity and inclusion through the performing arts.
