Musical theatre and dance bring people together! Regardless of language, religion, culture(s) and age. MiR Gelsenkirchen promotes arts education in a variety of ways, from nursery school right through to adulthood. On the following pages, we’ll be introducing our activities for all ages. We look forward to seeing you all!
Please send general enquiries to mirpaedagogen@mirgelsenkirchen.de
Newsletter for teachers: Valuable tips for your lesson planning and plenty of events you won’t want to miss
An opera by Sergei Prokofiev
The opera cannot begin. For even before the curtain rises, the audience starts discussing loudly what it actually wants to see: a tragedy? A comedy? Something romantic, or perhaps a grand drama?
A family opera by Sebastian Schwab
Hilfe, die Kaffeemühle ist weg! Als Seppel und Kasperl erfahren, dass der finstere Räuber Hotzenplotz ihre geliebte Großmutter ausgeraubt hat, steht ihr Entschluss sofort fest: Die Kaffeemühle muss zurückerobert werden.
Children’s opera by Niclas Ramdohr
Der freche Katerjunge Findus ist wieder im Kleinen Haus zugange und treibt Schabernack auf dem Hof des alten Pettersson. Als Pettersson den Hahn vom Nachbarhof als Dauergast bei sich aufnimmt, um ihm vor dem drohenden Ende im Kochtopf zu retten, gerät Findus’ Alltag durcheinander.
Soft Toy Concert
Schnapp dir dein Lieblingskuscheltier, deine Lieblingsmenschen und komm zu uns ins Konzert!
Magical Melodies: Anime & Ghibli Live
Verspielt und fröhlich oder dramatisch und gefühlvoll: Mit der Neuen Philharmonie Westfalen entführen wir euch in die faszinierende Welt von Studio Ghibli und der Animes...
Ages 3 and over: In this interactive cushion concert, we tell the story of *The Flying Dutchman*, loosely based on Richard Wagner’s opera – regardless of language skills, prior knowledge or sense of rhythm.
Ages 4 and over: Before selected performances of ‘Pettersson and Findus and the Rooster in the Henhouse’ and ‘The Robber Hotzenplotz’, we are offering a hands-on programme for the whole family in the foyer.
Ages 5 and over: We offeryoung visitors an age-appropriate guided tour of the MiR. There are fascinating areas to explore both on stage and behind the scenes.
Ages 6 and over: To coincide with the family opera *Der Räuber Hotzenplotz*, we’ll take a playful journey into the adventurous world of the production. Participants will also get to watch a rehearsal live and take a peek behind the scenes.
When: Monday 26 October 26 – Wednesday 28 October 26 (3 days!), 10 am – 2 pm each day
Where: MiR Gelsenkirchen (meeting point: stage entrance)
Cost: free!
Registration: mirpaedagogen@mirgelsenkirchen.de
When registering, please provide the child’s name and age, as well as a telephone number for emergencies.
Ages 12 and over: Career guidanceprogramme for schools A look behind the scenes at the MiR: We explore the wide range of careers available in the theatre and provide practical insights to support career guidance from Year 6 onwards.
Recommended age varies depending on the production. Your class can become theatre experts! Sign up for the combined package comprising a theatre tour, workshop, rehearsal visit and performance. During the 26/27 season, we’re offering exclusive insights into the following productions:
Recommended age varies depending on the production. During the 2026–27 season, we are providing digital resource packs for use in the classroom for the following productions:
On request. Recommended age varies depending on the production
Ages 6 and over
In partnership with the Lalok Libre Community Centre in Gelsenkirchen
At ‘Wunderwelt Theater’, children can immerse themselves in the exciting world of singing, dancing, improvising roles and dramatic play. In this way, the children learn more about theatre in a playful way whilst also strengthening their social skills.
Starts: Thursday, 10 September 2026
When: weekly, 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm (not during school holidays)
Where: Lalok Libre (Dresdener Str. 87, 45881 Gelsenkirchen)
Cost: free of charge!
Led by: Robert Lieli
Registration: r.lieli@mirgelsenkirchen.de
When registering, please provide the child’s name and age, as well as a telephone number for emergencies.
Ages 8 and over, for children with or without an adult
in partnership with junge vhs Gelsenkirchen, starting in February 2027
Under professional guidance, participants will design costumes for the musical theatre workshop. They will first create initial designs, and then the costumes will be made together.
Start: Monday, 22 February 2027
When: weekly on Mondays, 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm (excluding school holidays)
Where: junge vhs Gelsenkirchen (Ebertstr. 19, 45879 Gelsenkirchen)
Registration: jungevhs@gelsenkirchen.de
As apreparatory step
you can attend the following weekly course at junge vhs:
Fadenzauber – Our sewing workshop for young and old ( ages 8 and over)
Start: Monday, 14 September 2026, 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Registration: also directly via the junge vhs
Comic workshop for everyone aged 10 to 12
March 2027 / in partnership with junge vhs
Together, we’ll turn sounds into colours and breathe new life into comic characters. The workshop is aimed at anyone who enjoys drawing, inventing and experimenting.
Ages 10 and over
A joint project by Consol Theatre and MiR
The 2027 School Theatre Days will take place at the MiR’s Kleines Haus. Theatre groups from all types of schools are warmly invited to present their productions. In addition, there will be a wide range of workshops on offer for participants.
Key details:
Where: Kleines Haus, MiR
When: Monday 10 May 2027 – Wednesday 12 May 2027
Information on the programme will follow once all entries have been reviewed.
Register at
Open to those aged 14 and over
The youth dance project ‘Move!’ is entering its next phase. Under the project leadership of Marika Carena, pupils from Gelsenkirchen are creating their own dance piece at the Großes Haus. Over the course of a school year, they will work with the TanzGelsenkirchen ensemble to develop a joint choreography, enabling them to stay physically active and express their artistic creativity. During regular rehearsals with the professionals, they can play an active part and further develop their own skills and means of expression.
Here is an overview of the dates for those interested:
The Dance Club (age: 13+) and the selected school classes (age: 14+) will rehearse weekly from November 2026. Attendance at the audition is compulsory for members of the Dance Club.
Performances: Tuesday 13 July 2027, 7.00 pm
Wednesday, 14 July 2027, 11.00 am + 7.00 pm
A cross-generational project for everyone aged 14 and over, starting in October 2026
In our musical theatre workshop, we’ll be working with young people and adults to develop a new production, which will be performed at the MiR’s Kleines Haus. What makes this special is that all decisions are made collectively by the ensemble. Rehearsals take place weekly. The costumes are created in collaboration with the junge vhs in a costume workshop set up specifically for this purpose. Details and dates can be found on our website and in the monthly leaflet.
Suitable for teachers and educational staff at all types of schools, nursery teachers and anyone interested
The training course for teachers and multipliers will take place on various dates in September and October 2026 in Gelsenkirchen, Recklinghausen and the surrounding area. Coffee, cake and a certificate of attendance included!
Recklinghausen: Wednesday, 7 October 2026, 4.30 pm, NPW Rehearsal Centre
Registration (please state your educational institution): SFeuchte@mirgelsenkirchen.de
Symposium: Acting with Children and Young People – a joint project by Consol Theatre and MiR, suitable for teachers of all school types
On 24 September 2026, the Consol Theatre will once again become a stage. At the workshop ‘Theatre with Children and Young People’, teachers, nursery staff and (theatre) educators from Gelsenkirchen and the surrounding area will hone their methods and strategies, exchange ideas and gain fresh inspiration in workshops.
So step away from the daily school routine and onto the stage!
Contact: grubenbecher@consoltheater.de
Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
8.30 am–4.30 pm at the Consol Theatre
Cost: 40 euros, including a group lunch
For teachers in primary and secondary schools
Using ‘Der Räuber Hotzenplotz’ as an example, we’ll demonstrate how fairy tales can be integrated into your lessons in an activity-based way. Afterwards, we’ll attend part of a stage rehearsal and discuss what we’ve seen.
For secondary school teachers
In this training session, teachers will have the opportunity to attend a stage rehearsal. Beforehand, we will provide an insight into the methodology, and afterwards we will reflect on how suitable it is for your pupils.
