Hi,
My name is Damira Schumacher. I am a theatre director, drama educator and musician.
Born in Duisburg, Germany, in 1989, I grew up in the Ruhr area. After several years of freelance work in drama education, I studied Theatre Directing at Folkwang University of the Arts.
Much of my artistic work revolves around communication. Why is it sometimes so difficult to say the right thing? Dialogue — and the way we engage in it — is one of the central themes of my work, in artistic, social and political contexts.
This is reflected both on stage and in the collaborative process with performers and creative teams. It is important to me to listen to everyone involved, to challenge gender stereotypes and other clichés, and to work towards fair, respectful and sustainable production conditions at all times.
Besides theatre, music is my second great passion. I sing and play in several band projects, and music therefore plays an important role in my theatre work as well.
My productions are often marked by humour and a high level of accessibility, without losing their poetic quality. My reduced and clear aesthetic places the conflicts and emotions of the characters at the centre, creating theatre that challenges its audience while remaining open and approachable.
PRODUCTIONS
2025
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Peer Gynt
based on Henrik Ibsen
Mildred-Scheel-Berufskolleg, Solingen
by Bertolt Brecht
Theater Duisburg
-
Das Klugscheißerchen based on the children's book
of the same name by Marc-Uwe Kling,
Rheinisches Landestheater Neuss
2024
based on the fairytale by the Grimm brothers,
by F. K. Wächter
Schloss-Spiele Neumarkt
-
Anorexia Feelgood Songs by Fayer Koch
Theater Koblenz
2023
-
Woyzeck by Georg Büchner
Schauspiel Duisburg
-
The Neverending Story based on the novel by
Michael Ende
Widar-Schule, Bochum
-
Don Quijote based on Miguel de Cervantes
stage script: Rebekka Kricheldorf
Burghofbühne Dinslaken
-
norway.today by Igor Bauersima
Schauspiel Duisburg
2022
-
The Butterfly Workshop based on the children's book
of the same name by Gioconda Belli and Wolf Erlbruch
Westfälisches Landestheater
-
Neville's Island by Tim Firth
Schauspiel Duisburg
2021
-
Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill
Schauspiel Duisburg
-
Combat Girls based on the movie of the same name
by David Wnendt
stage script: Tina Müller
Theater Freudenhaus, Essen
-
Die Hausherren UA by Rafael Ossami Saidy
Prinz-Regent-Theater, Bochum
2020
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The Dance of Death by August Strindberg
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Bochum
-
Die Hausherren as a video conference production
by Rafael Ossami Saidy
Prinz-Regent-Theater, Bochum
2019
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Art by Yasmina Reza
Rottstr5-Theater, Bochum
2018
-
Faith Love Hope by Ödön von Horváth
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Bochum
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Crave by Sarah Kane
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Bochum
2017
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Elektra by Hugo von Hoffmansthal
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Bochum
-
Andorra 4x4 nach "Andorra" von Max Frisch
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Bochum
2016
-
Hunger based on the novel of the same name by Knut
Hamsun
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Bochum
PLAYS ON THE WISH LIST
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Andorra by Max Frisch
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The Arsonists by Max Frisch
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The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh
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The Magic Mountain based on Thomas Mann
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The Rats by Gerhart Hauptmann
-
Carnage by Yasmina Reza
-
Back and forth by Ödön von Horváth
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The Soldier's Happiness by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
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Noone by Ödön von Horváth
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paradies spielen (abendland. ein abgesang) by Thomas Köck
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Penthesilea by Heinrich von Kleist
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Wutschweiger by Jan Sobrie