About the work
APOLLON – STOP TRYNA BE GOD is a youth-theatre production by the German-Greek collective waltraud900 in connection with Forum Freies Theater Düsseldorf. Idea and artistic direction are credited to waltraud900, direction to Bianca Künzel, and text to Bianca Künzel and Dorle Trachternach, with additional rap texts by Uğur Kepenek. The work was selected for the 2026 Theatertreffen der Jugend organised by Berliner Festspiele.
Plot
Eleven male-presenting performers aged between 15 and 20 use Apollo and Mount Olympus as starting points for an investigation of contemporary masculinity. The Apollos of today descend from Olympus, symbolically confront Zeus, dismantle inherited male role models and attempt to assemble them differently. Dance, spoken text, rap and live music are used to ask what forms of masculinity might be possible for a future generation.
Cultural significance
The work combines youth perspectives, different cultural backgrounds and Greek mythology with contemporary public debate about masculinity. Its selection for the national Theatertreffen der Jugend 2026 identifies it as one of the youth-theatre productions singled out by the festival jury for particular artistic distinction that year.