junges THEATER liechtenstein

November 18, 2025 - From the very first moment of our conversation, it becomes clear: Beatrice Brunhart-Risch is deeply passionate about what she does. With energy, enthusiasm, and an infectious passion, she speaks about “junges THEATER liechtenstein,” whose artistic development she shapes and embodies as its director.
You sense it immediately: this is not just about theater, but about attitude, commitment, and heart and soul. She imparts knowledge, inspires, connects with people, and gives them a space where art comes alive. She stands as if on an imaginary stage—and draws you in, so that you inevitably feel the urge to be a part of it yourself.

Origin and Basic Concept

Beatrice Brunhart-Risch: “The ‘junges THEATER liechtenstein’ was born out of a desire to provide young people with a space where they can create, perform, and stage their own plays. I have been involved with the theater in various capacities for 24 years, and during that time it has evolved into an educational center. We teach children, teenagers, and adults—ranging in age from two and a half to 93—in a total of fourteen different theater groups.

Participatory Theater

Everything we do is different from traditional theater: there, a play is written first, and then the cast is assembled. With us, the play is created to fit the group. I use theater education methods, which we recognize as both a holistic educational program and an art form. Our goal is to discover, nurture, and develop talent—and to provide a stage for anyone who wants to strengthen their sense of self.

The sequence of scenes emerges from a colorful medley

And, of course, wonderful moments keep happening: people realize what they’re capable of and how much joy it brings to work together toward a stage-ready production. A current example is the Christmas production “Wundersam – One Night in December,” which premieres on December 8. This time, the ensemble consists exclusively of children and teenagers aged eight to fourteen—some have been with us for years, others have spent almost their entire childhood in the theater, and still others are newcomers who only found their way here at the age of ten or twelve.

Everyone is welcome and has an equal place on stage. First, we get to know each other as a group, then we learn the material. This year, we’re drawing freely from Charles Dickens’ *A Christmas Carol* and exploring the question: What does Christmas mean to us? From the group’s improvisations, texts, and ideas, a medley emerges that I shape into scenes—featuring song, dance, and dialogue. Roles are not assigned in the traditional way, but are chosen by the participants themselves and cast on an equal footing. We do not have leading roles in the conventional sense.

And the best part is: it’s different every year. Sometimes it’s children, sometimes teenagers, sometimes adults, or mixed groups—often including people with disabilities. This creates a new Christmas fairy tale every time, a true family tradition. Thanks to the participants, family and friends also come to the theater, so a full house is guaranteed at the performances. Christmas on stage here means more than just theater; it means community, togetherness, and a whole lot of passion.

Education and Professional Background

My first training was as a kindergarten teacher. I realized early on how effective role-playing is for children’s language development. After four years, I sought further training and completed a program in Zurich to become a music and theater educator with a focus on youth theater. My classes quickly grew to nine groups with children aged 3 to 9. Later, I also worked with people with disabilities and became a co-founder of the non-profit association “junges THEATER liechtenstein.” We have now been based on Zollstrasse in Schaan for 14 years—and from here, the theater has continued to evolve. In 2019, I completed a master’s degree in educational management, which helped me optimize processes and teamwork. For me, lifelong learning is an integral part of teaching and directing.

Organization and Team

Our team consists of nine full-time staff members and 15 to 20 additional staff members who join us depending on the course schedule. I myself work full-time as the executive director, artistic director, and dramaturg, with 20 percent of that time dedicated to my own productions, such as the Christmas play. Our business manager is employed 90 percent of the time; everyone else works part-time. Together, we ensure that every production, every course, and every performance runs smoothly.

Dealing with Challenges

Our courses for adults range from improvisational theater and voice training to “First Impressions Matter”—which focuses on developing your public-speaking skills. New to the program is “Learning Through Play,” a course that explores how children learn through play. All theater courses culminate in a performance.

The challenge here is that every participant brings their own background, experiences, and fears to the table. This sometimes pushes us to our limits—especially when it comes to commitment. We want to be committed ourselves and expect the same from the participants. Without regular meetings and joint rehearsals, a stage-ready production cannot be created. No training, no success; no effort, no reward.

We are a theater school that creates participatory theater with non-professionals. Our actors and actresses have no formal training; they learn everything in their free time. And we really do everything ourselves—we write plays, direct, design the lighting and props, and develop a holistic concept: How do I help my “protégés” shine? How do I cast them in the right light, place them in the scene, and integrate them into the team? What do they wear, where do they feel comfortable? It’s about self-esteem, self-image, and the question: What can I do, what else can I learn? Learning is an endless ocean—you can always learn more and improve. The beauty of participatory theater: It’s never too late to join. Every new person brings fresh energy and new perspectives.

Sometimes these classes give rise to special stories: A man in his mid-forties only joined us because his girlfriend had given him the class as a birthday present—he probably would never have dared to come on his own. As soon as he joined, the ice was broken, and today he is a valued member of our ensemble—and has even become a social education worker.

Good teachers make all the difference. Those who build a relationship with their students foster motivation, commitment, and success. Our rehearsals are structured like classes: we alternate between moments of relaxation and intensity so that participants can sustain their energy during longer rehearsals. In this way, participants not only learn theater but also experience a holistic form of education that strengthens their personality, teamwork skills, and creativity.

Brand Partnerships & Projects

In 2025, we had the opportunity to participate in the children’s program for the National Day celebrations. In collaboration with OJA Liechtenstein, we developed a concept that actively involved 400 children. This led to direct contact with Liechtenstein Marketing, which in turn resulted in our brand partnership. This allows us to reach new audiences and expand our network.

Offers and Invitation

If you’re curious, you can find all our classes on our website and drop in for a trial session anytime with no obligation. A special highlight are our performances—especially our Christmas production, “Wundersam – One Night in December,” which premieres on December 8. It’s a play that our children and teens put their hearts and souls into, and it enchants audiences year after year.

And what matters most to Beatrice Brunhart-Risch in her day-to-day work? “Passion, team spirit, and a little courage to try new things. Because here, our motto is: Everyone gets to be on stage, everyone gets to shine—and sometimes you stumble over your own stage fright. But that’s exactly what theater is all about: You laugh, you learn, you grow—and in the end, there’s a production that fills everyone with pride. A little tip from me: Anyone who takes a peek behind the scenes here is guaranteed to leave the theater with a smile—and sometimes even with a secret desire to be on stage themselves.”