“Only if you know what makes plays work, will it be possible for you to go beyond and experiment with more modern forms of playwriting”. Interview with Dr. Kirsten Hertel, Lecturer in English literature, Playwright, Director and Producer of the Hot Shor

Abstract

The present interview with Dr. Kirsten Hertel, the director and producer of Hot Shorts - Short Play Festival organized by the Schauspielgruppe des Anglistischen Seminars, e.V. at the Theatre im Romanischen Keller (Theatre from the Roman Cellar), Heidelberg University, was conducted by e-mail in July 2016, immediately after the first international edition of the Hot Shorts festival (2-9 July) drew its curtain. Our discussion focuses on the organization of the short play festival, its impact on the participants and the future projects of the organizers, as well as on the high educational value of such an event, on the importance of familiarizing students not only with the craft of playwriting, but also with the rigor of the stage.