Munich
The participants of the first Forum for Theatre and Digital Transformation at the Münchner Kammerspiele agreed that theatres must transform themselves - and also that digitisation must not be an end in itself. The first evening was dominated by keynote speeches and discussions.
Speaker Linnja Naujoks-Auffenberg, from the Staatstheater Hannover, reported on how she, as an in-house consultant for digital transformation, approaches the "why", the "how" and the "what" of digital transformation and shares ten lifehacks:
- Work on culture
- Don't be afraid of technology & ignorance
- Strengthen collaboration
- Start with the "why
- Set priorities
- Be creative
- Learn from mistakes
- Take small steps
- Taking responsibility
- Celebrating successes
The important role of the theatre's culture for a successful digital transformation is once again made clear by Maik Romberg (CDO of the Munich Kammerspiele) with a quote from Peter Drucker: "Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast".
That the digital transformation permeates all areas of the theatre and how important it is that administration and art are closely networked in the process became clear from the presentation by the speakers, Samina Mohn, Nils Corte and Roman Senki. The digital strategy of the Dortmund Theatre, for example, attempts to integrate and coordinate the digital arts and digital innovations as well as the technical media infrastructure in a holistic approach.
Not only were the different strategic approaches discussed together, but also the opportunities that digitalisation offers, both in front of and behind the stage. Marc Grandmontagne reported impressively that marketing and communication increasingly take place via social media, that new digital tools are available in the administration of the theatre and that the technology of a theatre has long been a digitalised marvel and paves new ways for art through digital possibilities. Nevertheless, from his point of view, it is evident that development is sometimes slow and sluggish, and that resistance of a structural, political, and psychological nature harbors potential for frustration. For all speakers, however, it is indispensable to embrace digitisation to master the current challenges of the cultural landscape.
The second day of the event was marked by workshops dealing with transformation processes in theatres, agile working at the theatre; in addition, the Puppentheater Zwickau presented its VR project on Goethe's Erlkönig.
Agile working at the theatre is introduced to the participants by Maik Romberg with the Marshmallow Challenge. Groups are formed and the material is distributed: 1 marshmallow, 20 spaghetti (uncooked), a strip of tape (1m), a string (1m) and scissors for cutting. Then the clock starts running. In the end, the team that builds the tallest free-standing tower of the material within 18 minutes wins, with the marshmallow carried on top.
The findings of the first Forum for Theatre and Digital Transformation are impressive. And by the way, everyone learned a lot about agile working, of course (almost) everything was digitally backed up: If you want to watch the presentations again in full length, you can find them on Vimeo - here you can access the recording of the live stream of the event. BILD siehe oben There are many ways to shape digital transformation. actori is happy to support you in finding and implementing your own path. Get in touch with us. You can also find more information at www.digitalisierung.actori.de.
An impulse contribution by Dr. Nora Pähler vor der Holte.
