Monika Gerboc (D/SK)

 She studied drama direction at the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica and puppet theatre direction at the Puppetry Art Department of the Białystok Theatre Academy and Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. Upon graduation, she worked for six years as in-house director in Slovakia (e.g. Žilina Municipal Theatre, Spiš Theatre in Spišská Nová Ves) and as guest director and dramatist for numerous theatres in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland (e.g. Košice, Bojnice, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Ostrava, Český Těšín, Szczecin, Elbląg, Warsaw, Rabka-Zdrój, etc.). Since 2009, she has lived and worked primarily in Germany. After a 5-year engagement as a director, puppet player and Artistic Director of the Puppetry Department of Piccolo-Theater Cottbus, she took the post of Director of a puppet theatre in Zwickau effective July 1, 2016. 

Theatre Pedagogy in German Theatre System 

More than ever before, German theatre for children and youth is becoming aware of its role in accompanying the viewer from a toddler to an adult individual. Theatre pedagogy has become an inseparable part of almost every state-run or municipal theatre; even private theatres and free associations of theatre artists are beginning to extend their portfolios to include various theatre pedagogy projects. Audiences of all age categories are being given an opportunity to take an active part in the creative process and to experience first-hand the process of creating a production from the subject to the premiere to the reprise. What is theatre pedagogy and what are its benefits for schools, kindergartens, and theatre people but especially for children and young people? What are its models and priorities? Who exactly are theatre pedagogues in contemporary German theatre, what is their role and function?