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Peer Classes

Current events, workshops and classes in the ROOTS & ROUTES Space.

Peer classes are artistic and cultural education programs for anyone interested, especially for 16-26 year olds. They are led by young artists who are trained in the project The ROOTS & ROUTES Peer Coach Academy 2.0. Participation is free of charge.

Foto © Penelope Brachou

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Current Peer Classes (Registration possible!)

What happens when the written word claims the space and the body tells a story?🖋️🎭

Although writing and performing are closely related, they rarely cross paths. In our new Peer Class “Fusion – Writing meets Performance,” we are tearing down exactly this boundary.

What you can expect:

✨ The fusion of writing and acting techniques

✨ Individual ways to highlight your own voice and story (whether through a monologue, prose, or poetry slam)

✨ A joint showcase at the end

The Coaches: Elena (freelance author & writing educator) and Noemi (film actress & cultural educator) are merging their worlds here. They will work with you at the intersections of mental health, social issues, and the courage to express yourself creatively.

Spots are limited to 8 participants.

 

© Elena MumzaMore Infos & Registration

© Valeriya Guseva

When was the last time you just started drawing without judging whether it looked “good”? 🚀🖍️

In the Peer Class “Draw your creative buddy,” we will travel together to the Space of Creativity – a place where anything is possible and creative blocks are overcome!

What you can expect:

✨Warm-up and creative exercises for a smooth start into drawing

✨The basics of character design: How initial ideas turn into your own exciting creatures

✨A brave space for anyone who loves to draw (whether you are a beginner or advanced)

The Coach: Valeriya (illustrator for children’s books & animation, design student) loves visual storytelling. She will show you why great characters are the heart of every good story.

Spots are limited to 8 participants.

Infos & Registration

© Nora Schwarz

Feel like playfully expressing yourself and taking the stage without any pressure to perform? 🎬✨

Between the joy of acting and mindfulness, improvisational theater creates a space for spontaneous, vibrant scenes. In our Peer Class “Permission to Fail,” you get to do exactly that: be brave and celebrate mistakes!

What you can expect:

✨Methods focused on body, voice, storytelling, and character work

✨Spontaneous reactions (“Yes, and…”) as well as the conscious use of gestures and facial expressions

✨A safe space for young adults (16-30 years) – absolutely no theater experience required!

The Facilitator: Lara (media & cultural studies scholar, active improv actress) is sharing her enthusiasm for the dynamics that emerge when people create little worlds with minimal instructions.

Spots are limited to 20 participants.

Infos & Registration geht’s hier

Ready to create your own sounds and ditch the standard presets? 🎧🎶

In our Peer Class “Create Your Sound,” we will dive deep into the world of sound design and music production. We will teach you the basics of working with sounds in a playful way.

What you can expect:

✨Recording everyday noises (field recording) and processing them

✨Learning the basics of a wavetable synthesizer

✨A hands-on introduction for beginners and intermediate learners (bringing your own laptop with a DAW is preferred)

The Facilitator: Daniel (electronic music producer) is passionate about sounds and sound design. He brings experience from various genres, interdisciplinary projects, as well as mixing and mastering.

Spots are limited to 8 participants.

Infos & Registration

© Finnegan Godenschweger

Do you often feel insecure or inauthentic in front of the camera? 📸👀

It doesn’t have to stay that way! In the Peer Class “Finally Relaxed in Photos,” we will figure out together what helps you become more self-confident and look at yourself with a kinder eye.

What you can expect:

✨ Body, perception, and photography exercises for a more genuine way of standing, looking, and smiling

✨ Sharing experiences in a small, safe group

✨ A professional photo shoot at the end, resulting in a great picture of you (free for you to use!)

The Coach: Finnegan (photographer, filmmaker & explorer of human nature) is convinced: Everyone is photogenic! For over 10 years, he has been helping people become more relaxed in front of the lens through positive experiences.

Spots are limited to 8 participants.

Infos & Registration

How do you navigate the topics of body awareness and sexuality in your educational work? 🌱🗣️

In our Peer Class, we will explore exactly this using creative methods, helping you to become more confident and capable in your actions when working with children and young people, for example.

What you can expect:

✨ Solid knowledge & open exchange about boundaries and sex education

✨ Reflecting on your own body awareness – to better understand yourself and others

✨ A sensitive, safe space for all the questions you bring along (“Bring your questions!”)

The Facilitator: Lena (aspiring sex educator, dancer & street worker) creates a safe setting for open exchange and hands-on learning.

The number of participants is limited.

Info & Registration

 

© C-Mone

Have you always wanted to dive into the dance style that even Michael Jackson helped shape? 🕺✨

Then you’ve come to the right place! In the Peer Class “Popping,” you will learn the basics and gain a deep fundamental understanding of groove, music, and movement.

What you can expect:

✨ Introduction to the fundamental moves and techniques of popping

✨ 90 minutes of instruction followed by a 90-minute jam session

✨ A relaxed introduction – absolutely no prior experience required!

The Coach: C-Mone (passionate dancer) has found her very own style in over 10 years of dance experience. She shares her love for funk and groove and is excited to pass on her knowledge from countless battles to you.

Spots are limited to 20 participants.

Infos & Registration

Feel like finding your own artistic language within an ensemble? 🎭🤝

In the Peer Class “Resonance,” we are embarking on an intensive, multi-month journey. Together, we will build trust and develop new forms of expression through physical theater and movement.

What you can expect:

  • Body awareness, introductory improvisations, and intensive voice work

  • Developing a shared artistic language within the ensemble

  • Bringing the material together for a potential final performance or collective sharing

The Facilitator: Momo (cultural educator focusing on theater education & movement) brings years of ensemble experience. He is fascinated by how different bodies and horizons of experience can come together to create something new.

Spots are limited to 8 participants.

Info & Registration

Insights in current Peer Classes

Looking if times match? Check our calendar 😉

Past Peer Classes

vier Performerinnen sitzen an einem Tisch voller Nutellagläser

A table! – Zu Tisch!

As part of the Peer Coach Academy 2.0, Corinne led the workshop "A table! – Zu Tisch!" at the ROOTS & ROUTES Space in Cologne from May to July 2025. The participants engaged in an artistic and performative exploration of the expressive power of hands and gestures centered around food and eating. Using elements of improvisation, contemporary dance, and voguing, they created a performance that was publicly presented at the ROOTS & ROUTES Space on July 10, 2025.
Mehrere Menschen sind zeitgleich an verschiedenen Stationen im Raum zugange. Eine scheint zu lesen, eine scheint zu schreiben. Alle sind abgewandt.

Raststelle: Analog

In June and July 2025, Nils led the workshop series "Raststelle: Analog" as part of the Peer Coach Academy 2.0. Over three weekends, participants met here in an open workshop format that struck a balance between writing, speaking, and collective reflection. The workshop provided a space to pause and develop new perspectives on everyday life and enjoyment.

Game-Lab: Let's make a Visual Novel!

From May to July 2025, Katharina Reich led the workshop "Game Lab: Let’s make a Visual Novel!" at the ROOTS & ROUTES Space in Cologne as part of the Peer Coach Academy 2.0. The participants collaboratively developed an interactive story centered around the fictional location "Der Kulturhase," bringing together drawing, writing, music, and digital storytelling. After nine sessions, they completed the alpha version of their very first visual novel game titled "Der Kulturhase" – a quirkily charming cozy game about preserving cultural and social spaces. Players must make decisions, win allies, and breathe new life into the endangered "Kulturhase" to reach one of eleven different endings.
To the Game
Eine Runde junger Menschen sitzt

WORTWERK

To make writing more collaborative and accessible – open to all languages and genres – Elena Mumza led the multi-part writing group "Wortwerk." Instead of a traditional workshop, she provided creative prompts, introduced various forms of writing, and opened up a space for exchange, courage, and experimentation. With her focus on multilingualism, she expands the boundaries of writing and makes room for diverse voices.

Insights into past Peer Classes

iJuLa News

ROOTS & ROUTES Peer Coaches

Statements from participants

Funding

Peer Classes and the LevelUp! Academy 2025 are part of the RRCGN project “The ROOTS & ROUTES Peer Coach Academy 2.0”, which is funded by the EU Erasmus+ Youth program and the Kurt & Maria Dohle Foundation.