The Sophiensæle are one of Berlin’s most important centers for the independent performing arts. Located in a historically protected building complex that was formerly home to the Berlin Craftsmen’s Association (Handwerkervereinshaus), Sophiensæle presents a broad, ever-changing spectrum of performing arts. Founded in 1996 as a theater by artists for artists, we consider it our core task to promote artistic growth and development. As such, our programming features a mixture of both established and emerging talents, as well as local and international perspectives. Our stages feature artists who work outside the boundaries of genre, exploring new possibilities within and beyond their disciplines and developing innovative forms that bridge the worlds of dance, performance, theater, visual arts, discourse, text, hospitality, and immersive gatherings. Today, the Sophiensæle consist of two historic halls, the Festival Hall and the Wedding Hall, as well as the former canteen. From a historical perspective, the building represents a significant chapter in the history of workers’ emancipation: in 1905, the Berlin Craftsmen’s Association founded a workers’ educational association here, offering its members a new type of space for training, further education, and assemblies. In 2011, parts of the complex were painstakingly renovated. This partial renovation preserved much of the space’s original character, allowing the rich history of the building complex to remain palpable throughout. Our open spaces, with their flexible configuration, are an ideal place for the needs of the independent performing arts. Here, artists find a platform to reflect on social developments from multiple perspectives and to question them artistically.
