6 TAGE FREI – A Festival by and for the Independent Scene

6 TAGE FREI is the festival of the independent performing arts in Stuttgart and Baden-Württemberg – created by and for the independent scene. Since 2015, the festival has been held biennially by Theater Rampe in Stuttgart and showcases the artistic quality and diversity of Baden-Württemberg’s independent theatre, dance, and performance scene.

It is funded by the City of Stuttgart as well as by the State Association of Independent Dance and Theatre Artists Baden-Württemberg (LaFT BW) e. V., with support from the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg.

6 TAGE FREI is also part of FESTIVALFRIENDS, a network of regional festivals for the independent performing arts. FESTIVALFRIENDS is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of the program Verbindungen fördern (Fostering Connections) of the German Association of Independent Performing Arts (BFDK) e. V.

Background

Originally emerging from the long-standing Theatre Award of the Stuttgarter Zeitung (1988–2004) and later the Dance and Theatre Award of the City of Stuttgart and the State of Baden-Württemberg (from 2005 onward), 6 Tage Frei has evolved into a curated performance and working festival for the independent performing arts scene.

Today, the focus lies not only on artistic presentation but also on exchange, solidarity, and structural development.

The festival sees itself as a platform for dialogue and exchange—across formal approaches, genres, and production contexts. It provides space for collective development and the organization of collaborative, forward-thinking working structures within the independent performing arts.

Showcase & Residency

The festival program is built on two main pillars:

The Showcase presents outstanding productions by independent artists, collectives, and groups whose work is based in Baden-Württemberg.

The Residency provides space for developing new ideas – with time, space, funding, and dramaturgical support. It particularly seeks out daring artistic projects that embrace vulnerability, challenge conventions, or venture into new perspectives.

Both formats are selected by an external jury that reflects the diversity of the scene and brings together different professional perspectives.

Networks & Partnerships

6 TAGE FREI is connected beyond the regional level and regularly collaborates with other platforms – most recently as part of the double festival 10 tage freischwimmen (2024). This created a unique bridge between strong regional roots and international exchange.