ETC is the largest network of publicly-funded theatres in Europe, with over 80 members in more than 30 countries. We organise a wide range of activities to create brilliant new theatre, support and develop people working in theatre, and fight for the European theatre sector in a political context.
These activities are open to a combination of member theatres, theatre workers, artists across the continent and audiences interested in theatre.
ETC History and Values
Founded in 1988, the ETC promotes European theatre as a vital platform for dialogue, democracy and interaction that responds to, reflects and engages with today’s diverse audiences and changing societies.
ETC fosters an inclusive notion of theatre that brings Europe’s social, linguistic and cultural heritage to audiences and communities in Europe and beyond. Powerful and professional ETC governance ensures that the network will thrive and grow, taking into consideration the latest trends and developments.
The ETC’s current four-year programme of activities, 'European Theatre: BREAK THE MOULD' offers our Member Theatres many opportunities and project possibilities. This comprehensive, groundbreaking programme is supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
European Theatre: BREAK THE MOULD
Our name for the entire programme of activities is 'European Theatre: Break the Mould'. We are delighted that ETC has been selected to deliver this work as one of the European cultural networks, in a long-term partnership with the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
TRUST - TRUth on STage
Stories. Journalism. Theatre.
TRUST — TRUth on STage: Stories, Journalism, Theatre is a groundbreaking European collaboration exploring what happens when journalism and theatre meet on stage.
Across Europe, artists and journalists are joining forces to investigate urgent stories and transform them into powerful live performances that invite audiences to think, question, and engage.
Led by Schauspiel Köln and the European Theatre Convention, TRUST brings together ten leading European theatre institutions and media collaborators to experiment with a new artistic form: journalistic theatre — a genre where investigative research meets the emotional power of performance.
Aiming to develop a replicable model for journalistic theatre, the project is founded on the conviction that theatre, when combined with the investigative depth and the truth-driven ethos of journalism, can become a powerful space for public dialogue and democratic debate.
At a time of misinformation and growing social polarisation, TRUST explores how theatre can become a place where facts, stories, and collective reflection come together.
Learn more on www.truthonstage.eu
Follow TRUST on Instagram: @trust_truthonstage
TRUST is co-funded by the European Union.
Publications
ETC produces regular magazines, interviews and feature articles with leading figures from the European theatre scene. These can be read individually or downloaded as an entire publication.
Past Activities
ETC has spent decades making challenging and exciting new theatre. Explore previous high-profile projects:
Our Values
Read our Statutes, Our Charter, and the ETC Code of Conduct
ETC Statutes
DownloadETC Charter
DownloadETC Code of Conduct 2025
DownloadMember Feedback
"Uncomplicated, personal and down to earth."
"Very active and productive. It is not a 'travel agency' as with some other organisations, but always comes with very interesting projects...I like the variety (green theatre, PR activities, playwriting"
Anonymous reflections from our member theatres about what they value from ETC membership, made during evaluation sesssions in January and February 2021.
