ABOUT US

House and Courtyard

The JugendKulturZentrum PUMPE is a youth center for culture situated on the grounds of a disused pumping plant in the center of Berlin. This youth center "oasis", stands on 2500sqm in the heart of Berlin, offers ideal spaces for a wide range of activities. Today, the more than 100 year old pumping plant has four historically protected red brick buildings where children and youth theaters perform, design and sew costumes, build sets, make videos and do photography. Everything revolves around theater here; on what happens onstage and backstage. The young people slip into new roles and step into the spotlight. At the end of every project phase the creative working results of each project are publicly presented. These projects are developed under the guidance of professionals coming from such artistic fields as drama, dance, set and costume design and new media. PUMPE invites you to the final performance, presenting itself each time in a new and different way. If the participants of a project and its audience were abducted into a primeval forest the last time, you can be sure that you will find them in an 80's disco or are dancing in a club of the third millennium the next time. Edgar Allen Poe invites you to afternoon tea, or spirits of the South Seas surprise you with their culture and mystique.

Work

Theater making is the core of PUMPE's artistic project work. The children and adolescents learn how a production is devised and which fields of work prepare and support the performances on stage. The costume designers assume responsibility for the costumes that are appropriate for the scenes and performers, and make sure that costume changes backstage run smoothly. The lighting and sound group works closely together with the direction to make sure that the actors and actresses are in the "right perspective" and that sound and music are brought in at the right moment. The same goes for the video group which looks after the video installations and the documentation.
The work happens mainly in small groups, and at the same time these small groups are linked closely with each other. The entire stage production is developed through team work, which is the only way to successfully put the performance on stage.

Moreover, JugendKulturZentrum PUMPE offers reasonable rehearsal and performance facilities for independent (youth) theater groups, and gives consultations on how to apply for grants/funding, and assists young people in converting their ideas for a production regarding content as well as on an organizational level.

The spaces can also be rented by other organizations. If needed, our technical theater equipment, costume department and our know-how are at your disposal.

Spaces

At PUMPE, several groups can rehearse and perform simultaneously. The main auditorium with approx. 260sqm and its stage of approx. 50sqm is ideal for theater performances, concerts and other events seating up to 200 people. There are four rehearsal/ all purpose rooms of 35-55sqm, which can be utilized by groups between 10-60 persons. Apart from this, there are two studios, a darkroom, an art studio, a rehearsal room for music groups and a room containing costumes and props.

PUMPE with its facility, its collaborators and technical equipment offers an excellent infrastructure for youth theater projects, rehearsals, performances, concerts, exhibitions, for family celebrations or business parties, seminars, conferences and conventions. In connection with the Restaurant Alte Pumpe - open daily between 12 am and 10 pm - larger events are also possible.