ESC @ Puppet Theatre 'Westflügel' (12 months)

WESTFLÜGEL LEIPZIG

The Westflügel Leipzig is an international production centre for contemporary figure and object theatre. In our programming we put an emphasis on the international ensemble connected with our theatre, the support of upcoming artists in the field of figure theatre and related genres and the desire to be open to artistic experimentation. In addition to the associated ensembles who work here regularly, Wilde & Vogel and Lehmann and Wenzel, Westflügel maintains a permanent working relationship with many artists and is closely linked to the national and international theatre scene.
Westflügel’s historically protected art nouveau building has held theatre performances since 2003, as well as ball nights, modern dance performances, concerts, exhibition and more. The focus of our program lies on object theatre and puppetry. We take part in (co)producing and supporting new productions as well as showing international performances.
The building is owned by the association Lindenfels Westflügel e. V., founded in 2005. The association is also responsible for carefully rehabilitating and preserving this historic landmark. In 2012 the (culture) bar froelich & herrlich opened on the ground floor. The bar is open on Fridays as well as during the events at Westflügel. An active team of volunteers supports the staff in running the theatre and the bar.   

Since 2011 Westflügel has been institutionally supported by the city of Leipzig.

TEAM

The Westflügel team consists of four permanent part-time employees and another six people who are involved as freelancers and as artists*. They form the board of the artistic management.  Together we take care of the artistic program, the historic house and the structural, administrative operation.
We work in a quite familiar way, with the claim to act as low in hierarchy and as non-discriminatory as possible.
 

Tasks and opportunities

The range of tasks that arises in our theatre is wide. Due to the very small structure, we are flexible to respond to the talents and interests of our team members.

Your tasks will include the evening services at the house (on average, this is 1-2 per week and includes performance support and bar service). Further tasks which are handles by everyone in the team are taking care of the guest ensembles and the daily tasks at the house (from cleaning the toilets to heating the ovens to cleaning the guest apartment)

Tasks in which you could gain experience and contribute are e.g.
- event organization
- Press and public relations
- Management of a cultural enterprise
- Technical realization of the guest performances
- Support of the volunteers

Depending on your interests, it is possible to bring in your own ideas in these areas and implement them (e.g. your own social media channel, a series of events in the bar, etc.).

Since we are NOT a theatre group, we cannot offer the possibility to be on stage or to be part of a production.

Conditions (short overview):

• The volunteer has a mentor, who supports with regular feedback talks at the hosting organization
• The weekly project time is 35 hours and weekends are free, as well as holidays such as Christmas, etc.
• The volunteer has two holidays per month, which can be collected to take a longer time off (Some facilities have closing times and then some vacation must be taken then.)
• There is a basic language course to support the volunteers in the beginning. The ESC is a non-formal education program and therefore no professional German course is provided, but the goal is to learn the language during the project time and outside in the free time.
• Costs for food, travel and insurances are covered, and the volunteer gets additionally 210€ pocket money per month; VISA costs are covered if needed.
• The volunteer has to visit two seminars organized by Jugend für Europa (national agency of Germany). In addition, there will be realized several project days towards topics of Europe / mobility in Europe for all ESC volunteers.
• The volunteer lives in a single-bed room in a flat share with other volunteers in Leipzig. In the shared apartment, residents must take care of cleaning themselves.

Selection criteria

- To work with us, you should have an interest in theatre, the organization of an independent cultural institution and a high level of personal commitment. Since we are responsible for everything ourselves, you should work as independently as possible and be committed and reliable. You should be keen on a certain degree of improvisation and have an interest in communication and people in general. You should have a desire for teamwork and negotiating decisions.

Apply here