What we do
The University Players (UP) are the English-language theater group at Hamburg University and a vibrant part of student life both on campus and beyond. Each semester, we stage an English-language production featuring mostly German and international students. From contemporary drama and original plays to Shakespeare, musicals, and improv—if we’re excited about it, we put it on stage.
Participating in a UP production is an opportunity primarily for students at the University of Hamburg, but as a non-profit organization (“eingetragener Verein”), we welcome anyone interested in English-language theater. Auditions are usually open to all, but smaller projects can also start from individual initiatives. And remember—there are many ways to take part beyond acting. You can build sets, design costumes, help backstage, write for UP News, sell tickets and drinks, join production management, participate in improv workshops, or carve out your own creative niche.
What we do
The University Players (UP) are the English-language theater group at Hamburg University and a vibrant part of student life both on campus and beyond. Each semester, we stage an English-language production featuring mostly German and international students. From contemporary drama and original plays to Shakespeare, musicals, and improv—if we’re excited about it, we put it on stage.
Participating in a UP production is an opportunity primarily for students at the University of Hamburg, but as a non-profit organization (“eingetragener Verein”), we welcome anyone interested in English-language theater. Auditions are usually open to all, but smaller projects can also start from individual initiatives. And remember—there are many ways to take part beyond acting. You can build sets, design costumes, help backstage, write for UP News, sell tickets and drinks, join production management, participate in improv workshops, or carve out your own creative niche.
Ich bin noch ganz verzaubert von dem schönen Abend! Es war ja schon das zweite Mal, das ich das Stück gesehen habe, und diese neue Version mit leichten Änderungen kam mir noch dichter und kompakter vor! Tolle schauspielerische Leistungen, wunderschönes Bühnenbild, teilweise sehr traurig, teilweise lustig, gut zu verstehen – alles in allem haben alle, die es nicht gesehen haben, etwas Großartiges verpasst!
Anita M., June 6, 2025, after watching eurydice
Excellent organisation, awesome performance. Very pleasant evening. Thank you!
Sarah S., June 18, 2025, after watching copenhagen
Integration into Academia
What makes UP unique in Germany is how closely practical theater is integrated with university teaching and research. Our activities are coordinated with the faculty so that they are continuously reflected in courses and curricula. Occasionally, there are active cooperations between the UP and a seminar, and members of the institute’s language practice even support the editorial team of our program magazine, the UP News.
A regular seminar at the Institute of English and American Studies uses UP productions as starting points for exploring aesthetics, drama analysis, and the humanities more broadly. It regularly features guest speakers from academia and the arts such as director Jan Bosse (Berlin), theater artist Mbene Mwambene (Bern), journalist Falk Schreiber (Hamburg), scholar-artist Prof. Jaye Austin Williams (Riverside, CA), or theater scholar Prof. Amy Muse (St. Paul, MN). Our work has also been discussed in academic publications and conferences, such as the Comparative Drama Journal and Conference.
Integration into Academia
What makes UP unique in Germany is how closely practical theater is integrated with university teaching and research. Our activities are coordinated with the faculty so that they are continuously reflected in courses and curricula. Occasionally, there are active cooperations between the UP and a seminar, and members of the institute’s language practice even support the editorial team of our program magazine, the UP News.
A regular seminar at the Institute of English and American Studies uses UP productions as starting points for exploring aesthetics, drama analysis, and the humanities more broadly. It regularly features guest speakers from academia and the arts such as director Jan Bosse (Berlin), theater artist Mbene Mwambene (Bern), journalist Falk Schreiber (Hamburg), scholar-artist Prof. Jaye Austin Williams (Riverside, CA), or theater scholar Prof. Amy Muse (St. Paul, MN). Our work has also been discussed in academic publications and conferences, such as the Comparative Drama Journal and Conference.
Immer wieder ein Erlebnis! Seit vielen, vielen Jahren habe ich kein Stück verpasst und bin immer wieder begeistert über die sehr unterschiedlichen Stücke, die immer von allen Beteiligten mit ganz viel Liebe, Engagement und Spielfreude dargeboten werden. Sehr überraschend dieses Mal die geteilte Bühne mit Platzwechsel vom ersten zum zweiten Akt. Herzlichen Dank an alle Beteiligten auch dieses mal wieder für eine wirklich gelungene Aufführung! Ich freue mich schon auf das nächste Stück!
Dorothee K., July 10, 2024, after watching THE INHERITANCE GAME
UP News
The UP News is our production magazine, available at shows on a donation basis. We actively offer the magazine to schools as well. It features scholarly, journalistic, and creative writing inspired by our productions, offering multiple perspectives on the theater process. For many students, the UP News is a first chance to gain editorial experience and publish their writing. Contributors include students, pupils, lecturers, and community members. Recently, we’ve also launched UP News online while continuing the print edition at shows in limited numbers, check it out on up-news.de.
UP News
The UP News is our production magazine, available at shows on a donation basis. We actively offer the magazine to schools as well. It features scholarly, journalistic, and creative writing inspired by our productions, offering multiple perspectives on the theater process. For many students, the UP News is a first chance to gain editorial experience and publish their writing. Contributors include students, pupils, lecturers, and community members. Recently, we’ve also launched UP News online while continuing the print edition at shows in limited numbers, check it out on up-news.de.
Die Schauspieler waren großartig, das Stück war abwechslungsreich und brillant inszeniert. Ich war sogar zweimal da, weil es mir so gefallen hat! Darüber hinaus ist das Thema ja auch heute brandaktuell.
Eva B., June 28,2025, after watching copenhagen
Unterhaltsam, gut gespielt, sogar mit Gesangseinlagen, und auch für nicht absolute Englischprofis gut zu verstehen. Freu mich schon auf das nächste Stück.
Dagmar S., July 15, 2024, after watching THE INHERITANCE GAME
Work Experience
Getting involved with the University Players is like stepping into a professional theater. We have well-equipped workshop spaces for set-building, a large costume collection, a professional PR department, a polished production magazine, and more. New members are guided by experienced UP members and can quickly find their feet, discovering and developing their own areas of interest and expertise.
Many of our shows are performed in Hamburg‘s independent theater spaces, making UP a first step for students into the city‘s wider cultural world. It’s a chance to gain valuable experience, build networks, and explore potential professional paths.
Work Experience
Getting involved with the University Players is like stepping into a professional theater. We have well-equipped workshop spaces for set-building, a large costume collection, a professional PR department, a polished production magazine, and more. New members are guided by experienced UP members and can quickly find their feet, discovering and developing their own areas of interest and expertise.
Many of our shows are performed in Hamburg‘s independent theater spaces, making UP a first step for students into the city‘s wider cultural world. It’s a chance to gain valuable experience, build networks, and explore potential professional paths.
The acting was superb!
Jennifer B., May 10, 2024, after Watching eurydice
I was flabbergasted.
David S., January 22, 2025, after watching SPECTERS: TRIFLES AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
UPlay Improv
In the winter semester 2022/23, UP’s improvised show AS YOU WANT IT – THE IMPROVISED MOVIE NIGHT was a huge success. Due to popular demand, it moved off-campus and is now performed regularly at DIE MOTTE (Hamburg-Ottensen).
On campus, we keep the improv spirit alive with bi-weekly open sessions, supporting anyone who wants to start their own improv group or explore the art in new ways. One recent example is the SHINY THINGS ensemble, which is making a name for itself in Hamburg’s improv scene.
UPlay Improv
In the winter semester 2022/23, UP’s improvised show AS YOU WANT IT – THE IMPROVISED MOVIE NIGHT was a huge success. Due to popular demand, it moved off-campus and is now performed regularly at DIE MOTTE (Hamburg-Ottensen).
On campus, we keep the improv spirit alive with bi-weekly open sessions, supporting anyone who wants to start their own improv group or explore the art in new ways. One recent example is the SHINY THINGS ensemble, which is making a name for itself in Hamburg’s improv scene.
Es war ein spannender Abend. Ein durchaus komplexer Inhalt wurde grandios auf die Bühne gebracht, und wir waren als Zuschauer mittendrin! Tolle Schauspieler und eine kluge Regie sorgten für einen ganz starken Theaterabend.
Lars B., June 26, 2025m after watching COPENHAGEN
International Festivals
We maintain strong connections with the English-language theater community across Europe. As a regular participant in international festivals such as the FEATS – Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies (rotating locations) and the Easter Festival of One Act & Full-Length Plays on the Isle of Man, we showcase our work on an international stage and strengthen our reputation within the community.
Recently, we received the Best Stage Presentation award for EURYDICE (FEATS 2024) and Best Actress (FEATS 2025), with honors going to both leading actresses of our production TRIFLES.
International Festivals
We maintain strong connections with the English-language theater community across Europe. As a regular participant in international festivals such as the FEATS – Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies (rotating locations) and the Easter Festival of One Act & Full-Length Plays on the Isle of Man, we showcase our work on an international stage and strengthen our reputation within the community.
Recently, we received the Best Stage Presentation award for EURYDICE (FEATS 2024) and Best Actress (FEATS 2025), with honors going to both leading actresses of our production TRIFLES.
Ich war zum ersten Mal jetzt bei einer Vorstellung bei Ihnen. Ich habe eine solide Aufführung erwartet und auch bekommen. Bravo! Der Hauptdarsteller fiel krankheitsbedingt aus– gut, dass der Regisseur eingesprungen ist, selbst wenn er seinen Text mithilfe des Skripts auf der Bühne manchmal vorgelesen hat. Aber der Haupteindruck bleibt: solide und unterhaltsame Aufführung. Good job!
Thomas H., February 2, 2024, after watching macbeth
Outreach to schools
For many pupils, seeing a UP performance is their first encounter with English-language theater—and often their first taste of university life. We take this role seriously and maintain strong cooperation with schools and teachers.
We offer workshops in classrooms, ranging from topic- or author-focused lessons to practical theater sessions, all free of charge. We also provide introductory events before each performance, giving students context for what they’re about to see. If a prior arrangement has been made, pupils can talk to the performers after the show and ask questions. Teachers and students are also encouraged to write reviews of productions, which we feature in UP News.
Outreach to schools
For many pupils, seeing a UP performance is their first encounter with English-language theater—and often their first taste of university life. We take this role seriously and maintain strong cooperation with schools and teachers.
We offer workshops in classrooms, ranging from topic- or author-focused lessons to practical theater sessions, all free of charge. We also provide introductory events before each performance, giving students context for what they’re about to see. If a prior arrangement has been made, pupils can talk to the performers after the show and ask questions. Teachers and students are also encouraged to write reviews of productions, which we feature in UP News.
University Players reißen das Publikum mit. Das Produktionsteam teilt eine große Begeisterung für anspruchsvolle dramatische Texte. Die überträgt sich im ästhetischen Gesamterlebnis des Abends »SPECTERS: TRIFLES AND THE AMERICAN DREAM« an die Menschen im Zuschauerraum. Vom Programmheft über Ausstattung und Regie bis zu den schauspielerischen Leistungen ist das persönliche Engagement aller Mitglieder immer präsent. Die Sprachprägungen der Ensemble-Mitglieder sind vielfältig und führen zu einem interessanten Zusammenspiel von Dialekten und kulturellen Assoziationen. Eine Spendensammlung für Frauenhäuser im Kontext mit dem ersten Teil des Abends, in dem häusliche Gewalt thematisiert wird, komplettiert den Eindruck großen Engagements.
Gesa Nicola H., February 2, 2025, after watching SPECTERS: TRIFLES AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
It was absolutely mind blowing, incredible acting skills!! Chapeau!
Laura B., July 5, 2023, after watching equus
Großartig! Das Ensemble steigerte sich im Laufe des Abends immer mehr. Ich finde es super, dass die University Players seit über 40 Jahren die Theaterszene in Hamburg bereichern. Weiter so.
Katrin E., jan 22, 2024, after watching MACBETh