Biography

Markus Schabbing is a theatre-maker, director and puppeteer whose work explores how movement, puppets, objects and performers come together to tell stories. He is interested in how subtle movement, breath and presence can transform objects and materials into compelling characters, leaving space for the audience’s imagination.

Working across plays, puppetry, physical theatre, dance and music theatre, Markus creates interdisciplinary work that blurs the boundaries between art forms. Drawn to collaboration and devising processes, he enjoys creating original productions in which dynamic movement, play and visual storytelling are at the heart of the theatrical experience. His work is driven by curiosity, collaboration and a desire to create compelling characters and richly imagined worlds.

After early engagements at the Landestheater Schleswig-Holstein and Thalia Theater Hamburg, Markus joined the original German production of War Horse in Berlin in 2013, marking the beginning of his long-standing collaboration with The Handspring Puppet Company. Since then, he has collaborated with the National Theatre, Theatre-Rites, Cirque du Soleil, the Berliner Philharmoniker, Birmingham Rep, Ruhrtriennale, the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus and Schauspielhaus Bochum, while performing in the London West End and touring productions throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and Asia.

Among his notable collaborations is Life & Times of Michael K., created with the Handspring Puppet Company and Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus. The production toured internationally, received a Scotsman Fringe First Award and was named a New York Times Critics’ Pick.

Alongside performing and devising, Markus has increasingly focused on directing original interdisciplinary productions. His work as a director and director of puppetry includes The Wooden Prince with the Berliner Philharmoniker under Kirill Petrenko, Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, the devised production Born to be Wild at Staatstheater Regensburg, and most recently the world premiere of Der Schimmelreiter.