Experience the diversity of the independent scene

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

Zurich's independent theatre scene is large and diverse, but only a few artists are visible at one of the established co-production institutions such as Gessnerallee.

Brücki 235, an association founded two years ago, ensures that dance and theatre makers from the independent scene in Zurich can rehearse and perform at a low threshold.

On the one hand, it is a place at Hardstrasse 235 where artists can rehearse, and on the other, it is a travelling festival that presents the diversity of the independent scene to an interested audience. Because ‘getting a foothold in the scene is totally difficult,’ says co-initiator Liliane Koch. Journalist Aleksandra Hiltmann visited Koch on site for the article for the 4th edition of Gessnerallee Zeitung. You can find out more in the report ‘Brücken schlagen’ (only in German).

And now Brücki 235 is moving into the Gessnerallee from 19 to 22 June and celebrating its second anniversary with a brilliant, diverse programme. At the short play festival, a total of 30 artists and groups will present pieces of up to 20 minutes in length. Over four evenings, the audience can experience the diversity of Zurich's dance, theatre and performance scene up close: from dances to music on hold, questions about exhaustion and perfection to vampires, genetic manipulation, deconstructed opera arias and Cyr-Wheel acrobatics - the spectrum is colourful and varied.

On Saturday, 21 June, the programme starts in the afternoon with KAFi Q, the inclusive performance café. The summer edition is all about COMMON ENJOYMENT and the question of what it takes for everyone to enjoy a party. The group will feast and dance together over cool drinks, snacks and soft ice cream. And everyone can be a DJ at the Democratic Disco. 

So it's time to come along again.

Now for the weekly overview of the programme, news and everything we want to share with you:

Programme recommendations for the coming week

18 June, 5.30 pm

‘Art in Conflict: Theatre as Generator for Political Liberation’ by artasfoundation

Artistic creation in crisis regions is confronted with challenging questions. In this series of talks, different actors come together once a month to reflect on their experiences in the form of a table discussion. This time with Iman Aoun (theatre maker) and Toni Shapiro-Phim (Director of the Arts and Peacebuilding Programme and Chair of the minor ‘Creativity, the Arts and Social Transformation’, Brandeis University). More information

19, 20, 21 June, 7 pm and 22 June, 6 pm

‘2 Jahre Brücki 235 - ein Kurzstückfestival’ by Brücki 235 - Raum von der Szene für die Szene

With the festival ‘2 Jahre Brücki 235’, Zurich's dance and theatre scene moves into the Gessnerallee with a brilliant, diverse programme. This needs to be celebrated! More information

‘Brücken schlagen’

Brücki 235 provides dance and theatre professionals from the independent scene in Zurich with low-threshold rehearsals and performances. Journalist Aleksandra Hiltmann visited co-initiator Liliane Koch on site. Read the article (only in German) 

‘Berlin spart sich seine Seele weg’

In Zurich, Berlin is regarded as Europe's centre of gravity for the performing arts. At the beginning of this year, the city cut 12 per cent of its cultural budget. What happens when this beacon is cut? Journalist Caspar Shaller did some research and interviewed representatives of the independent performing arts community. Read the article (only in German)

The 4th issue of the Gessnerallee newspaper was published last week. You can order it directly to your home for CHF 5 (excl. postage) by sending an email to zeitung@gessnerallee.ch. Information on the other issues can be found on the website.

Furthermore

Employee HR and Finance Administration 40%

We are looking for an Employee HR and Finance Administration from mid-August 2025. In this position, you will work closely with the Head of HR and Finance Administration Chloé Serres, among others, and will be responsible for administrative activities in the areas of finance and HR within the organisation. The closing date for applications is 25 June 2025. More information on the job advertisement

Production Manager 70-80%

We are looking for a Production Manager from mid-August 2025. In this position, you will work closely with the Head of Production Anja Mayer, among others, and will be responsible for the planning, implementation and accounting of the productions of Gessnerallee's theatre, dance and performance programme. The closing date for applications is 19 June 2025. More information on the job advertisement

Communications employee 50-60%

We are looking for a Communications employee from September 2025. In this position, you will work closely with the Head of Communications Rahel Bains and implement Gessnerallee's communication activities. The closing date for applications is 24 June 2025. More information on the job advertisement

Last but not least: We cordially invite you to our end-of-season event on 28 June. An afternoon for all ages with drinks and snacks, a vegetarian and non-vegetarian barbecue, music, house tours, a craft corner and a mini costume and prop flea market. 

If you have beautiful items of clothing or accessories lying around at home that you no longer wear, we would be delighted if you could bring them along to our mini flea market and offer them for sale. You can either sell the clothes yourself or price them and hand them over to our team to sell. 

So that we can plan the flea market properly, we would be delighted if you could send a short registration to veserwalther@gessnerallee.ch by 16 June.

We look forward to your visit.

The Gessnerallee team