Oliver Sproll

On 1 October, Oliver Sproll assumed his professorship in physical acting at the Max Reinhardt Seminar—Department of Drama.

Oliver Sproll grew up in Freiburg, where he initially trained as a carpenter and gathered craftsmanship experience in the field of organ building. After attending seminars with figures such as Philippe Gaulier, he enrolled at the École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He completed his studies in physical theatre (pantomime) under Peter Siefert at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, where he also received a Folkwang Award.

Sproll learned fencing both from Klaus Figge during his studies and as an assistant to Ellen Kästner at the Westfälische Schauspielschule Bochum. In seminars as well as in exchange with Stefanie Hermes, he also began designing and making theatrical masks. He has pursued additional training as an Alexander Technique teacher, taken basic alternative health practitioner courses, qualified as a GYROKINESIS® Method trainer, and completed courses concerned with fascia and neuroathletics. Sproll has acted in theatrical productions (in Lucerne, Düsseldorf, and Bochum) including the Greek tragedy productions of directors Tadashi Suzuki and Theodoros Terzopoulos, participated in independent productions by figures including Thomas Rascher (of the theatre company “Familie Flöz”) and Company Trifoli, and directed fight and fencing choreographies.

As an author and stage director, he developed a play for clowns at the children’s and youth theatre KJT Dortmund. Oliver Sproll gives physical theatre and body awareness seminars internationally and has taught at the Westfälische Schauspielschule Bochum, at the Robert Schumann University of Music and Media in Düsseldorf, and—for 20 years—at Essen’s Folkwang University of the Arts.