Theatre for the Street

Creating posters for the theatre is one of the most meticulous tasks a poster designer has to perform. The play and those who stage it, the ensemble, director, client and manager – all these trades have their demands. However, it is this tense atmosphere that produces the most creative designs. The impressive results of this so special creative process will be showcased from March 8, 2014 in the Theatre for the Streets – Posters for the Theatre exhibition at Museum Folkwang.

The German Poster Museum, which can currently draw on well over 4,000 posters for the theatre and theatre productions in its collection, traces the history and development of the theatre poster with around 80 works. The time-frame extends from 1826 to the present day, and the geographical expanse from Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland to Germany; the wealth of genres from the elaborate opera premieres to the solo dance evenings, from classical drama to fringe theatre. Alongside a comprehensive historical overview, the exhibition also offers an in-depth insight into the eventful poster history of the Aalto Theater in Essen.

The exhibition is being staged in collaboration with Theater und Philharmonie Essen GmbH (TUP). To mark its 25th anniversary, TUP is supporting the exhibition with an accompanying program in the Museum Folkwang devoted to individual posters. Short performances by members of the Aalto Theater ensemble are planned in the exhibition space.

There will be an exhibition catalogue edited by Folkwang/Steidl.

In cooperation with the Theater und Philharmonie Essen GmbH.