The European Union is investing €1.000.000 to launch ‘TRUth on STage – Stories, Journalism, Theatre (TRUST)’, an ambitious new European cooperation project connecting theatres and investigative journalism.
Led by the European Theatre Convention (ETC) and Schauspiel Köln, and connecting 9 leading theatre partners from across Europe, TRUST will pioneer new models of collaboration between theatres and journalists to bring journalism stories to stage – and strengthen democracy, counter disinformation, and create space for critical public dialogue.
It will run until June 2028 and aims to reaffirm theatre’s historic role as a space for social reflection and civic engagement, at a time when Europe faces mounting crises, anti-democratic sentiment, and the spread of disinformation and fake news.
The project is heavily inspired by the work by TRUST project lead Schauspiel Köln and its renowned Artistic Director Kay Voges, whose theatre and journalism production of ‘Geheimplan Gegen Deutschland’ from 2024 – accompanying a high-profile exposé of plans by far-right political figures in Germany by the media outlet CORRECTIV – was performed in 40 theatres around Germany, reached 1.500.000 spectators digitally via livestream and on-demand, and played a pivotal role in fomenting the biggest protests in German history, which brought 4 million people to the streets.
“Theatre has always helped societies navigate complexity,” commented Heidi Wiley, Executive Director of the European Theatre Convention (ETC). “In an era of fractured information landscapes, we need storytellers who can articulate urgency with clarity and precision.
“The European Union’s decision to invest 1.00.000 EUR in TRUST is a bold commitment to create focused, communal spaces where audiences can reflect, dissect, and decide together what is best for their world.”
A Pan-European Partnership
The TRUST consortium reflects the cultural diversity of Europe, connecting leading theatres, journalists & media partners, and the largest network of public theatres in Europe, the European Theatre Convention (ETC):
- Schauspiel Köln (Germany)
- European Theatre Convention (Germany)
- Ivan Vazov National Theatre Sofia (Bulgaria)
- National Theatre Prague (Czech Republic)
- Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II, Lisbon (Portugal)
- CDN – National Dramatic Center - Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers (France)
- Örkény Theatre, Budapest (Hungary)
- Folkteatern Göteborg (Sweden)
- Volkstheater Wien (Austria)
- De Toneelmakerij, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
These partners, drawn from across the continent, represent a wide spectrum of venues and theatrical traditions, building on a strong history of award-winning collaboration and artistic innovation.
They met for a first Working Symposium from 27-29 March at Schauspiel Köln.
A European Journalistic Theatre Collective
A Pan-European Partnership
The TRUST consortium reflects the cultural diversity of Europe, connecting leading theatres, journalists & media partners, and the largest network of public theatres in Europe, the European Theatre Convention (ETC):
Schauspiel Köln (Germany)
European Theatre Convention (Germany)
Ivan Vazov National Theatre Sofia (Bulgaria)
National Theatre Prague (Czech Republic)
Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II, Lisbon (Portugal)
CDN – National Dramatic Center - Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers (France)
Örkény Theatre, Budapest (Hungary)
Folkteatern Göteborg (Sweden)
Volkstheater Wien (Austria)
De Toneelmakerij, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
These partners, drawn from across the continent, represent a wide spectrum of venues and theatrical traditions, building on a strong history of award-winning collaboration and artistic innovation.
They met for a first Working Symposium from 27-29 March at Schauspiel Köln.
A European Journalistic Theatre Collective
Across the project, TRUST will establish a European Journalistic Theatre Collective. Together, they will:
- Develop innovative, research-driven theatre productions rooted in journalistic investigation
- Train theatre professionals to collaborate effectively with journalists
- Create a scalable model for journalistic theatre that can be adopted by theatres across Europe
- Foster stronger connections between media organisations and cultural institutions
- Engage audiences in critical dialogue about complex societal issues
Beyond the theatre sector, the project is expected to generate tangible benefits for journalism — enhancing outreach, increasing public engagement with investigative reporting, and strengthening democratic values and social cohesion.
"By investing in TRUST, the European Union underscores the essential role of culture in safeguarding democratic values,” commented Kay Voges, Artistic Director of Schauspiel Köln.
“Through bold experimentation and cross-sector collaboration, TRUST aims to create a durable European model for journalistic theatre — ensuring that stages across Europe can serve as spaces where truth is examined, stories are shared responsibly, and communities come together to shape their collective future."
Press Contact
You can direct enquiries to ETC’s Senior Strategist for Communications, Fundraising and Advocacy, Amy Pradell: apradell@europeantheatre.eu
Cover photo: From ‘Berlin Alexanderplatz‘ at Schauspiel Köln © Marcel Urlaub
