About us
VRUM Performing Arts Collective is an international collective which consists of artists from different fields that have been closely involved in the development of dance and theater for young audience for many years, with a fixed point in Sanja Frühwald as visionary and artistic director of the collective. In the center of the artistic work of the collective lies, above all, the body: the multidimensional body, the vocalization of the body, the moving and thinking body of the artist, the possibility of the body to open a dialogue…
Although the focus of VRUM is on contemporary dance, the collective is actively working to connect contemporary dance and theater, visual arts, music and new media. With each production VRUM searches for a new language, for other expressions. By working with artists from a wide variety of art genres -dance pieces, plays, operas, concert performances and interactive installations have emerged in recent years.
In recent years, VRUM has put a special emphasis on intergenerational collaboration to create daring productions without age restrictions, but with clear and subtle political messages that appeal to communities and different audiences.
We try to involve the audience as much as possible in the process through various types of workshops, audience discussions and feedback sessions, knowledge sharing with other professionals, as well as educators. VRUM develops and takes care of its audience development and seeks to create opportunities for high-quality dialogue with its audience and the community in which we live. VRUM’s target group development strategies are designed to motivate young people, as well as adults, to contemplate, critically think and participate actively. Our pieces are often structured as interactive performances in which the audience actively participates on stage, such as in the successful event Baja Buf, which celebrated its 500th performance in 2018, and in The Milky Way, the new production of VRUM Performing Arts Collective for pacifier audience in 2020, the walk-in, self-designed Dance Museum, or some other kind of active participation, such as the “Audience Warm Up” format in the play From Molehill to Mountain, or the birthday party at the end of the play Tiger Lilies or Lover’s Disco(urse).
Through the combination of the two sister organizations VRUM Performing Arts Collective Croatia and VRUM Performing Arts Collective Austria, founded in 2007 in Zagreb and 2016 in Vienna, it is possible to draw from a larger pool of artists from both countries, which greatly enriches the work of VRUM and support structures on international level.
VRUM Croatia, as the organizer of a festival for dance for young audiences and initiator and coordinator of KLIKER -the first Croatian network dedicated to the development of contemporary dance for young audiences, offers the possibility of co-productions and provides a platform for the exchange of productions, guest performances, residencies, research projects, celebrations, exhibitions and educational programs for children, amateurs and professionals with a special interest to young audiences.
VRUM aims to make contemporary dance and contemporary theater more visible and present, to support and train audiences and professionals through artistic lectures, series of workshops, networking, collaboration with institutions and artists. VRUM is aware of the role of art and culture in the development and health of every society and strives to take a stand and play an active role in these transformation processes. That is why we pay special attention to the networks and various development projects to which we belong or which we initiate. With this in mind, we are working to develop the dance scene for young audiences and to create new and better (and more interesting) conditions for working, creating and inventing.
At the regional level, we are an important part of the GENERATOR initiative, which included partner organizations from 5 different countries (Austria, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia) and program lines developing this regional network (Exercise book for theater and dance, Teen Generator, Moving Labs, Artistic Residencies, Pitching Hubs …) or YOUNG DANCE NETWORK -a global network under Assitej International, in which Sanja Frühwald is among the 10 people from 4 different continents who made up the first board and its working group.
The various awards that VRUM has received in recent years make it very easy to read about it’s success. Since its foundation, VRUM has developed more than 20 of its own productions, with guest performances in more than 15 countries in and out Europe and with the support of numerous European Organizations, production houses, embassies and cultural institutes. All members of the VRUM Performing Arts Collective firmly believe that their work in the field of dance for young audiences inspires the viewers to think and leaves a lasting impression.
Through VRUM’s interactive dance projects, children and teenagers from all social classes have the opportunity to deal critically and enthusiastically with our society and the world we live in. It shows that it’s becoming increasingly important for the young generation, recognizable by the youth protest movements in Austria and around the world. It is, precisely at a time when populism and post-factual thinking are increasing, important to talk to children, listen to them and make them part of artistic processes.
Inspired by hundreds of thousands of children who care for their and our future, we would like to (re) consider how we live in our work, what role we play in society and what our contribution to positive change could be.
Queen Victoria said so beautifully: “Beware of artists. They mix with all classes of society and are therefore the most dangerous.”
Dance touches where the language does not work and clears the head for sensual experience.
Dance gives you the opportunity to look at the world differently.
Sanja Frühwald
artistic director
bio
Till Frühwald
deputy director
bio
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Alek Kawka
photography
Born in 1980 in Düsseldorf, she is a Polish photographic artist based in Vienna. She completed the program in artistic photography at fotoK Vienna and subsequently studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, where she graduated under the supervision of Martin Guttmann.
In her work, she explores the spatial expansion of photography – ranging from light boxes and multi-layered dioramas to the materiality of the photographic image. She works with both analog and digital techniques, with a particular focus on large-format photography.
For VRUM Performing Arts Collective, she has been photographing almost all productions for many years, thereby significantly shaping the visual identity of the collective.
Ana Fucijaš
costume design
Ana is a costume designer based in Zagreb, Croatia. After studying fashion and costume design at Zagreb’s Faculty of Textile Technology, she has worked for many years in the fields of theatre, dance, film, and performance. She is known for her attention to detail, materiality, and a playful, imaginative aesthetic, creating costumes that are visually distinctive, functional, and sustainable. Her work has been featured in numerous productions in Croatia and internationally.
She has maintained a long-standing collaboration with VRUM Performing Arts Collective, shaping many of the collective’s productions through her distinctive costume work. The production Mirabilia was nominated for the STELLA Award in 2025 in the category “Outstanding Production Design,” a nomination that strongly reflected the detailed and extraordinary character of her costume design.
For VRUM, she has been an indispensable part of the creative team for many years.
Christina Ebner
dance mediation
Christina Ebner is a dancer, dance educator, and choreographer. In both her artistic and pedagogical work, she places strong emphasis on diversity, participation, and community-oriented processes. She has performed and created choreography in numerous projects, including intergenerational and inclusive formats.
She leads the collective Tanzconnec:tive, which focuses on creating diverse encounters with contemporary dance. Christina studied contemporary dance education, primary school teaching, and sports, culture, and event management in Vienna and Tyrol. Since 2022, she has been working as a dance educator at Festspielhaus St. Pölten.
Since 2025, she has been collaborating with VRUM Performing Arts Collective. Together with Sanja Tropp Frühwald, she develops dance mediation formats such as the Teen Generator and the VRUM Teachers Club and coordinates programs within the Wiener Bildungschancen initiative.
Cornelius Edlefsen
dramaturgy
Born in 1985 in Villingen-Schwenningen, he studied Theatre, Film, and Media Studies in Vienna. He gained his first artistic experience with the group TheaterFOXFIRE.
He worked as an assistant director at Theater Münster, at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe, and from 2016 to 2019 at the Burgtheater Vienna, where he collaborated with directors such as Antù Romero Nunes and Andrea Breth. At the Burgtheater, he directed Drops on Hot Stones by Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
Today, he works as a freelance director and dramaturg.
He has been collaborating regularly with VRUM Performing Arts Collective for several years as an artistic partner and dramaturg.
Filip Sever
performance
Born in 1997 in Zagreb, he is an actor, dancer, and musician. He studied acting, puppetry, and nonverbal theatre at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek and participated in numerous workshops in the fields of physical theatre and contemporary dance.
He works in theatre, dance, and musical theatre productions, combining movement, acting, and musical expression in his artistic practice. In 2023, he was awarded the prize for Best Male Leading Role for his performances in Ovo sam ja and Ljubičasto.
With VRUM Performing Arts Collective, he has appeared as a performer in the productions Ljubičasto, Mirabilia, and Das Leben Macht Mir Keine Angst.
Gat Goodovitch – Pletzer
performance
Born in 1989 in the USA and raised in Israel, she now lives in Vienna as a dancer, performer, and dance educator. She completed her training at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD) and has collaborated with artists such as Simone Forti, Jozef Fruček, and Willi Dorner.
Since 2017, her artistic focus has been on work for young audiences, both on stage and in educational contexts. She develops her own projects, leads workshops, and is active in various dance education formats.
She has been working closely with VRUM Performing Arts Collective for many years and has appeared as a performer in the productions Tiger Lilien, Lover’s Disco(urse), Das Leben Macht Mir Keine Angst, and Leuchtfeuer. In addition, she is involved in VRUM’s educational projects and has supported Sanja Tropp Frühwald as an assistant in theatre workshops.
Giordana Pascucci
performance
Born in Rome, she is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She studied classical and modern dance in Italy, the USA, and Austria and was a member of the Italian national gymnastics team. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with numerous companies and choreographers in Italy, Austria, and Germany.
From 1999 to 2010, she was part of the dance theatre collective Konnex, working as a performer, choreographer, and trainer in productions for young audiences. In addition to her artistic work, she teaches dance and movement internationally.
She has been collaborating with VRUM Performing Arts Collective for many years and appeared as a performer in the productions Tiger Lilien, Lover’s Disco(urse), and Leuchtfeuer. She has also supported Sanja Tropp Frühwald as an assistant in theatre workshops.
Imre Lichtenberger Bozoki
composition/ music
Born in 1979 in Novi Sad (Serbia), he studied jazz trumpet at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. For many years, he has worked internationally as a composer, stage musician, and musical director for theatre, performance, and interdisciplinary projects.
He has been involved in numerous stage productions in Austria and across Europe, working among others for Schauspielhaus Graz, Volkstheater Wien, Burgtheater Wien, as well as for various independent theatre and music projects.
For VRUM Performing Arts Collective, he has composed the music for several productions – in part performed live on stage – including Lauter Haufen, Tiger Lilien, Lover’s Disco(urse), and Das Leben Macht Mir Keine Angst. In addition, he serves as musical director of the youth project VRUMOPHONE.
Moritz Wallmüller
video/trailer
Born in 1979 in Graz, he received musical training in classical guitar at the conservatory as well as private guitar and vocal lessons. From an early age, he was active in various band projects; in 1999, he signed a record deal with Intonation Recordings/Virgin in Vienna.
Since 2004, he has primarily worked as a composer and sound designer for theatre productions, including at Burgtheater Wien, Volkstheater Wien, Maxim Gorki Theater Berlin, Staatstheater Mainz, Theater im Bahnhof Graz, Werk X, and TAG Theater Wien.
He has a long-standing collaboration with VRUM Performing Arts Collective: for many years, he has created the collective’s video trailers, significantly shaping its visual presence. In 2022, they also produced a joint music video.
Marija Androić
dance mediation
Marija is a dramaturg and drama mediator. She approaches theatre and performative practices through the lens of mediation, with a particular focus on bringing artistic processes closer to audiences.
She studied Dramaturgy at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb and International Dramaturgy at the University of Amsterdam, where she graduated in 2024. As a dramaturg, she has worked on dance and theatre projects in Croatia and internationally and regularly leads workshops in the field of theatre and dance mediation.
She collaborates with VRUM Performing Arts Collective as a dramaturg, dance mediator, and coordinator. She oversees the Erasmus+ program Exit the Room, works on mediation projects in Croatia, and contributes to the development of new formats in the field of dance mediation.
Nika Bauman
music/ performance/ organisation
Born in Zagreb (Croatia), she studied flute and transmedia performance at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and at the Zagreb Academy of Music. She works as a classical flutist, improviser, and performer in concert and ensemble projects and regularly performs in Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.
With VRUM Performing Arts Collective she collaborates as a performer and musician and appeared in the production Mirabilia. She is also involved in the development of the production Skeeb beeb bo a doop and is part of the organisational team of VRUMstival 2026.
In her artistic practice she connects music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary performance and is active in mediation formats such as the ensemble Synesthetic Project and the TAKT Festival.
Oliver Stotz
composition / music / software development
Born in 1971, he lives and works in Vienna as a musician, composer, and software developer. His work moves between sound art, performance, and technology-based stage formats, for which he develops both musical and technical systems.
He has maintained a long-standing collaboration with VRUM Performing Arts Collective. He composed the music for NACHTS, The Milky Way, and Ich bin der Wald and developed technical solutions to control and synchronise animation, sound, and media cues — including automated show systems and mobile audio setups for immersive listening situations.
Alongside his artistic work, he works as a sound technician at Echoraum Vienna and has been teaching at mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna since 2024.
Vanesa Petrac & Ivan Marojević
composition/ music/ performance
Vanesa Petrac and Ivan Marojević aka CURA I DEČKO (Pronunciation: [t͡sûra iː dêt͡ʃko]) are an electro duo from Croatia who are also a couple in real life.
In their live shows, they work with synthesizers, loopers, and sequencers, combining electronic genres such as neorave, progressive house, and electro with vocals. For their work, they were recently nominated for the Ambassador Award as Best Regional Live Act.
Vanesa Petrac and Ivan Marojević have been performing together for over seven years and have played more than 300 concerts at festivals, clubs, and sociopolitical events across Europe. Alongside their own projects, they regularly collaborate in interdisciplinary contexts with dancers and performance artists.
They maintain a close artistic collaboration with VRUM Performing Arts Collective: they composed music and song lyrics and performed live in the productions Ljubičasto and Leuchtfeuer. In addition, Vanesa Petrac works as a lyrics coach in the youth music project VRUMOPHONE.
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Adriana Cubides // Performer // Tiger Lilies
Agne Ramanuskaite // Performer // Premiere
Ana Mrak // Performer // Baja Buf / No Logo Opera(tion) / Minimi / Duck, Death and the Tulip
Ana Vnučec // Performer // Large
Andrea Hršak // Performer // Muzej plesa
Andreja Jandrić // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Andrius Matusevicius // tech // Premiere
Arijana Pospišil // Performer // Minimi
Asher O’Gorman // Performer / author // Baja Buf
Barbara Kanc // Co-creator / Performer // Doodledee, it´s me
Bartholomäus Honik // Video artist // Bones
Bojan Gagić // technical director / light // Bones
Bosiljka Vujović- Mažuran // Performer // Large
Branko Banković // Performer / producer // Large
Brigita Urbietyte // Performer // Premiere
Bruno Isaković // Performer // Large / No Logo Opera(tion)
Bruno Kontrec // Performer // / the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Caroline Böttcher // Graphic design // Bones
Christiane Peschek // photography // Something to do with death
Dado Ćosić // Performer // Baja Buf
Danko Stjepanović // photography // Large
Darko Gorenak // photography // Tainted
David Mihoci // photography // Vanishing Acts 1&2 / Vanishing Acts 3&4 / Bones
Davor Dokleja // producer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Davor Konjikušić // video / photography // the killer in me is the killer in you my love / Von der Mücke zum Eelefanten
Dimitrij Matvejev // photography // Premiere
Dina Ekštajn // Performer // Large / Duck, Death And The Tulip
Dinko Uglešić // graphic design // Vanishing Acts 1&2 / Vanishing Acts 3&4
Dovile Dzervute // graphic design, photography // Premiere
Dragan Đokić // video // No Logo Opera(tion)
Emma Wiederhold // Performer // Tiger Lilies
Evaldas Taujanskis // Performer // Premiere
Fabian Lettow // author / director // No Logo Opera(tion)
Florian Lauss // Performer / singer // No Logo Opera(tion)
Franz Rogowski // Performer // Almost
Franzi Kreis // Photo // Tiger Lilies
Georg „ Guru“ Hübner // Musician and Composer // Sons
Giordana Pascucci // Performer // Tiger Lilies / Baja Buf
Goran Škofić // Video artist // Bones
Gytis Ivanauskas // author // Premiere
Hannes Röbisch // Light Design // Lauter Haufen / Tanz Museum
Harald Gaukel // Graphic design // Something to do with death
Hrvoje Jelinčić // music / Performer / Svijet igara
Ieva Simukauskiene // Performer // Premiere
Igor Dobričić // dramaturg // Large
Igor Petrovski // light / photography // Vanishing Acts 1&2
Ina Sladić // Performer / assistent // No Logo Opera(tion)
Ivan Blagajčević // Performer // Tainted
Ivan Grčić // Performer // Baja Buf
Ivan Lučišić Liik // visuals & multimedia / Performer // Svijet igara
Ivan Mijačević // Performer // Almost // sound // Something to do with death
Jagoda Kralj Novak // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Janko Oven // Light Design // Doodledee, it´s me
Jasmin Steffl // Assistant director // Tiger Lilies
Jasmina Bojić // musician // No Logo Opera(tion)
Jelena Gabrić // marketing / producer
Jouzas Statkevicius // costume // Premiere
Jule Flierl // Performer // Almost // Performer / director // Bones
Karolina Horvat // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Katarina Kutnar // musician // No Logo Opera(tion)
Katharina Müller // Costume // Bones
Katja Kähkönen // author / director /set and costume // Doodledee, it´s me
Katja Povše // author / set and costume // Doodledee, it´s me
Katja Somrak // Producer // Doodledee, it´s me
Kerstin Pohle // Performer / singer // No Logo Opera(tion)
Koraljka Begović // Performer / producer// Muzej plesa
Kristina Mrčela // musician // No Logo Opera(tion)
Lada Petrovski Ternovšek // Performer // Almost
Larisa Navojec // director / Performer / Svijet igara
Leo Vukelić // video / stage // Minimi
Maja Katić // Dramatization // Duck, Death And The Tulip
Maja Patafta // graphic design / stage // No Logo Opera(tion) // Minimi
Maja Puhovski // public relations
Maria Farcher // Performer // Tiger Lilies
Maria Teresa Tanzarella // Performer // Von der Mücke zum Elefanten
Marija Krpan // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Marino Frankola // light // Minimi / the killer in me is the killer in you my love / Von der Mücke zum Elefanten / Duck, Death and the Tulip
Mario Kovač // dramaturg // Minimi / the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Marta Klepo // producer
Martina Nevistić // Performer // Almost
Martina Tomić // Performer // Large
Matej Povše // Photo // Doodledee, it´s me
Mateja Ocepek // author / set and costume // Doodledee, it´s me
Matija Kezele // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Matija Šantić // stage // Large
Mia Horvat // public relations
Milan Kovačević // light // Large / Vanishing Acts 3&4
Milena Leeb // Performer // Tiger Lilies
Mirjam Klebel // Performer // Tainted / Von der Mücke zum Elefanten
Mirjam Schmuck // director // No Logo Opera(tion)
Mirza Kebo // Light design // Tiger Lilies
Modestas Kulikauskas // stage // Premiere
Naglis Bierancas // Performer // Premiere
Nastasja Štefanić // Performer // Muzej plesa
Nikolina Medak // Performer // Muzej plesa
Paola Bralić // musician // No Logo Opera(tion)
Paulius Tamole // Performer // Premiere
Petar Borovec // photography // No Logo Opera(tion)
Petar Cvirn // Performer // Minimi / the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Petra Bokić // Performer // Duck, Death And The Tulip
Petra Hrašćanec // Performer // Vanishing Acts 1&2
Petra Mrša // photography // Minimi
Raphael Nicholas // Performer / author // Baja Buf
Roberta Milevoj // Performer // Svijet igara
Sara Parađiković // musician // No Logo Opera(tion)
Saša Bogojević // tech / light // Dani Suvremenog Plesa
Saša Božić // dramaturg // Vanishing Acts 1&2
Sebastian Graf // Performer // Almost
Slaven Edvin Bot // light // Tainted
Tina Valentan // Co-creator / Performer // Doodledee, it´s me
Tomas Petraitis // music // Premiere
Vesna Kolarec // light // No Logo Opera(tion)
Viktorija Ilioska // director // Muzej plesa
Wolfgang Weissgerber // light design // Something to do with death
Žarka Krpan // costume // the killer in me is the killer in you my love / Duck, Death And The Tulip
Zdenko Brlek // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love
Zvezdana Novaković // music // Doodledee, it´s me
Zvonko Zečević // Performer // the killer in me is the killer in you my love -
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