Carl Hegemann, the esteemed dramaturg of the Berliner Volksbühne, has died at the age of 76. His passing occurred last Friday, as confirmed by the Volksbühne at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Over the years, Hegemann significantly influenced the German-speaking theater discourse as a keen thinker, passionate cultural critic, and bold innovator.
In collaboration with directors such as Christoph Schlingensief and Frank Castorf, he played a crucial role in developing an artistic language that brought international recognition to the Volksbühne during the 1990s and 2000s. Hegemann’s impressive career included work at numerous esteemed theaters and opera houses, including Thalia Theater Hamburg, Schauspielhaus Bochum, Berliner Ensemble, Burgtheater Vienna, Bayreuth Festival, Deutsche Oper, and Staatsoper in Berlin.
Recently, he appeared as an actor at the Münchner Kammerspiele in the production „Die Vaterlosen“ directed by Jette Steckel. Hegemann perceived theater not only as an art form but also as a platform for societal discourse. He served as a professor of dramaturgy in Leipzig. His daughter, Helene Hegemann, has also gained recognition as a successful author.