Spaces
Die schreib:maschine
Germany’s only open stage for new musical theatre.
Founded by Kevin Schroeder in 2010, die schreib:maschine began in the backyards of Berlin – more precisely, at Ballhaus Rixdorf in Neukölln. Since then, it has grown into one of the most important meeting points for musical theatre creators in the German-speaking world.
Each night showcases 4–6 excerpts from works-in-progress – sometimes from newcomers, sometimes from established writers – all presented as readings with piano. The focus is on exploration, not perfection. And the break is just as important as the stage: to talk, exchange feedback, and make new plans.
Since 2015, the series has been presented by the Deutsche Musical Akademie and is now hosted regularly in other cities like Hamburg, Cologne, Vienna and Linz.
CO/LAB
A space for exchange, exploration, and new beginnings.
CO/LAB is a curated writing lab for composers and bookwriters led by Kevin Schroeder. In a protected and collaborative space, participants challenge their creative habits, gain fresh perspectives, and develop new material together. Writers from a wide range of backgrounds — from seasoned professionals to artists from film, theatre, or pop music — are invited to join. What unites them is a shared commitment: to write a full scene (book + lyrics or music), working in newly formed pairs. The process begins with a video call and ends with a follow-up session offering the opportunity to present selected scenes at the open stage of schreib:maschine in Berlin.
The very first CO:LAB took place in 2024 as part of the Oberfringe Festival by the German Musical Academy. True to its name, the lab is about stepping outside your comfort zone and discovering what’s waiting there — through collaboration, courage, and the creative unknown.
ESCUELA DE DOBLAJE DE CANCIONES – MADRID
Since 2023, Kevin has been a regular contributor to Spain’s Escuela de Doblaje de Canciones y Traducción Audiovisual – a training centre dedicated to the art and craft of singable translations for musical theatre and screen. As a guest instructor and speaker, he has taught advanced workshops on song translation and adaptation between English, German, and Spanish, and shared his practical insights at the school’s international conference “Lyrics & Crafts.”
What began with a digital lecture turned into an ongoing collaboration: working hands-on with students on songs from Kevin’s own musicals, guiding them through cross-language adaptation processes, and discussing the creative demands of translating for rhythm, emotion, and stage. It’s a project close to his heart – grounded in mutual curiosity, shared learning, and the belief that adaptation, done well, is a form of authorship in its own right.