The central aim of the Stage Design Department is the establishment of an independent artistic position. Special emphasis is placed on the historically critical reflection of theoretical and practical questions regarding the design of theatrical spaces in different cultural contexts of the past and present, on engaging with discourses about the future development of theater, on questions of sustainable design, and on situating one’s own work within the specific context of its creation.

Collaborative work and research are focused on the individual or collective design of stage spaces and spatial installations for scenic work (theater, music theater, film, television, online platforms, and performances) as well as independent artistic projects. The starting point is the student’s own artistic project, which is guided from initial idea to realization through individual and group feedback sessions with faculty. The stages of realization range from concept to design and model, continuing to fully realized productions, and include experimental spatial work, digital worlds, and digital design methods as well as performances.

The necessary craft and technical skills—including stage drafting, model-making and photography, CAD, digital printing, digital image processing, and video editing—can be learned and practiced in workshops (e.g., wood, metal, ceramics, printing, Digital/Material, media technology and electronics, camera/lighting/sound). In addition, an analytical understanding of the different content-related and formal approaches in directing, dramaturgy, costume, lighting, sound, and video is required.

The department maintains numerous collaborations with institutions and independent arts practitioners (e.g., Theaterakademie Hamburg, Thalia Theater, Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg, Kampnagel). Here, as well as through the presentation of students’ own work during the annual exhibition and the Graduate Show at HFBK Hamburg, students gain experience in the mediation and discussion of artistic work.

Students are particularly encouraged to gain experience in other cultural contexts through international exchange programs and project collaborations, sharpening their own perspective in the process. The fundamentally interdisciplinary structure of study at HFBK Hamburg also allows engagement with neighboring disciplines, enabling students to situate their artistic endeavors within this broader framework of art production.

Accompanying academic training deepens students’ artistic inquiries and provides historical and theoretical knowledge, as well as methodological tools, which help to sharpen their understanding of both artistic self-perception and art history.

In the Master’s program in the Stage Design Department, students have the opportunity to deepen their ability to independently formulate artistic questions and to refine their critical reflection on theoretical and practical issues related to the development and exploration of scenic spaces. The knowledge and experience gained in a foundational Bachelor’s program—particularly in the application of artistic methods and strategies—are tested and applied in scenic projects in and with public spaces. Special emphasis is placed on discourses concerning the future development of theater and the sustainability of projects.

Collaborative work and research focus on the individual or collective design of stage spaces and spatial installations for scenic work (theater, music theater, film, television, online platforms, and performances) as well as independent artistic projects. The goal is the advancement and consolidation of an independent artistic position. This begins with the student’s own artistic project, which is guided from idea to realization through individual and group feedback sessions with faculty. The stages of realization progress from concept to design and model and on to fully realized productions, incorporating experimental spatial work, digital worlds, digital design methods, and performances.

Students’ analytical understanding of the different content-related and formal approaches in directing, dramaturgy, costume, lighting, sound, and video is promoted. The craft and technical skills acquired can be practiced and further developed in workshops (e.g., wood, metal, ceramics, printing, Digital/Material, media technology and electronics, camera/lighting/sound).

The fundamentally interdisciplinary structure of study at HFBK Hamburg encourages engagement with neighboring disciplines even at the Master’s level. Accompanying academic training in the Theory and History Department deepens students’ artistic inquiries.

Numerous collaborations with institutions and independent arts practitioners (e.g., Theaterakademie Hamburg, Thalia Theater, Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg, Kampnagel), as well as international exchange programs and project partnerships, provide insights into extracurricular and intercultural art and work contexts. Here, as well as during the presentation of students’ own work in the annual exhibition and the Graduate Show at HFBK Hamburg, students also gain experience in the mediation and discussion of artistic work.