A.TONAL.THEATER

In the artist's words:

As an independent theater group based in Cologne, A.TONAL.THEATER develops interdisciplinary theater projects at the intersection of drama, musical theater, performance art, and the visual arts. A.TONAL.THEATER is known for its distinctive artistic style: All productions address current sociopolitical issues and, with few exceptions, are original works.

International actors, performers, and musicians—alongside talented emerging artists and members of the public—take part in the productions: In the current production AQUA@CYCLES (world premiere 2025), for example, audiences can experience two Ruhr Prize winners for Art and Science: actress Maria Neumann and renowned drummer Peter Eisold. After earning her degree in voice, Polish singer and performer Sabina Krauze has appeared in several productions at the internationally renowned GARDZIENICE Theater in Poland, among other engagements. Syrian actor Mohammad Saado Kharouf appeared this season in two plays directed by theater legend Roberto Ciulli alongside Eva Mattes at the Theater an der Ruhr. 

The core artistic team consists of Jan Patrick Brandt (set design, Cologne), Jörg Fürst (director & artistic director, Cologne), Monika Odenthal (costumes, Cologne), Susann Martin (video screening), Peter Eisold (musical direction, Mülheim an der Ruhr), and Kerp Holz (lighting design, Leipzig).

The productions are based on documentary research, interviews with experts and the performers, as well as original (lyrical) texts and selected literature. These materials are woven together into a unique, contemporary theatrical language through associative narrative structures, a musical (often choral) treatment of language, choreographed movement patterns, originally composed live music, video, spatial installations, and lighting design.