Popakademie collaboration: Musical Judith celebrates premiere
03. March 2026
In mid-February, the musical “Judith and the Miracle of Creation” celebrated its premiere in front of around 15,000 spectators at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. Around 3,000 singers formed the choir. The music was composed by three former students of the Popakademie, arranged by the music agency KLINKT. Thilo Zirr, also a former student of the Popakademie, was responsible for the musical direction and arrangements of the songs.
Michael Herberger, Business Director and Managing Director, brought the musical elements together and was responsible for the music production.
Michael Herberger, Business Director and Managing Director of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg:Michael Herberger, Business Director and Managing Director, brought the musical elements together and was responsible for the music production.
"The musical addresses key issues of our time in the context of the climate crisis: How do we treat each other? How do we keep the dialogue going, even when our positions differ? In an increasingly polarized society, it is imperative that we create spaces for exchange and respectful interaction despite differing views. 'Judith and the Miracle of Creation' is an invitation to take responsibility and develop perspectives together. It is crucial that we remain in dialogue and work together to find solutions."The performance centers on Judith (played by Alida Will), a young woman who is searching for her place in the world amid fears about the future, the climate crisis, and her pregnancy. The central question is how we as a society can find a common path for tomorrow's world, despite the overwhelming demands and uncertainty that many are currently feeling. The musical in Dortmund is a joint project of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia and the Archdiocese of Paderborn. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Evangelical Church in Germany. Further support comes from Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen's “Gesunde Erde – gesunde Menschen” (Healthy Earth – Healthy People) foundation, Brot für die Welt, “Andere Zeiten” and Deutsche Bahn as mobility partner. The project sponsors include Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State for Culture and Media, NRW Ministers Ina Brandes and Mona Neubaur, and Dortmund Mayor Alexander Kalouti.The project sponsors include Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State for Culture and Media, NRW Ministers Ina Brandes and Mona Neubaur, and Dortmund Mayor Alexander Kalouti.Arranged by the KLINKT music agency of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, the songwriting and arrangements were carried out by Popakademie alumni Thilo Zirr, Laura Diederich, Ilja Krut, and Johannes Pinter. Two songwriting camps took place at the Popakademie in Mannheim.
Starting in 2027, the musical will tour Germany – at each performance venue, a regional choir of 1,000 to 2,000 singers will be formed. “Judith and the Miracle of Creation” can be seen on Sunday, January 31, 2027, at 6:00 p.m. at the SAP Arena in Mannheim.About KLINKT: Since 2007, KLINKT, the academy's own music services agency, has been placing solo musicians, bands, and producers from the Popakademie in live events or projects in the field of music marketing. The music agency thus acts as an interface between the musicians of the Popakademie and the business community and society in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. About the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg: The Popakademie is a state-run higher education institution and center of excellence for the music and creative industries and their pop culture scenes. With its focus on popular music and the creative industries, it offers an academic education that is unique in Germany's public higher education landscape.