Over the past 20 years European theatre underwent fundamental changes in terms of aesthetic focus, institutional structure and in its position in society. The impetus for these changes was provided by a new generation in the independent theatre scene. This book brings together studies on the state of independent theatre in different European countries, focusing on the fields of dance and performance, children and youth theatre, theatre and migration and post-migrant theatre. Additionally, it includes essays on experimental musical theatre and different cultural policies for independent theatre scenes in a range of European countries.

Manfred Brauneck (Prof. Dr. em.) was born in 1934. From 1973 he taught Modern German Literature and Theatre Studies at Hamburg University. Between 1986 and 2003 he was Head of the Centre for Theatre Studies and also of a study program on Theatre Direction and Dramatic Arts (until 2005). In 2010 he was awarded the Balzan Prize for the History of Theatre in Europe. As part of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), a world-wide NGO, the ITI Zentrum Deutschland in its national and international work is committed to the independent development of the performing arts. It organizes the biggest international theatre festival in Germany ('Theater der Welt').