The only drama school in Rhineland-Palatinate was founded in 1985 under the name "Schauspielschule der Theaterwerkstatt Mainz e.V." (Drama School of the Mainz Theater Workshop). Since 1988, it has been located on the grounds of the Alte Ziegelei, a picturesque industrial monument in Mainz-Bretzenheim. In conjunction with its state recognition, the school was granted BAföG eligibility on August 1, 1995. The school trains students for the profession of acting. In doing so, it takes into account above all the requirements placed on stage actors.

The school's sponsoring association, Theaterwerkstatt e.V., makes all decisions necessary to ensure continuous and focused training. The coordination of the training itself is in the hands of the school's artistic director. Many organizational tasks are carried out by the students. This promotes responsibility and the growth of an ensemble spirit and makes it possible to keep tuition fees comparatively low (€385 per month). The school is also financed by subsidies from the city of Mainz.
In order to give the interested public an insight into acting training, the school stages a full-length play with the graduating class every year, as well as regular scenic evenings, during which the roles, scenes, and songs developed during the training are performed.

Training begins in September of each year. After three years, students who pass the final exam are awarded a stage certificate. The school organizes auditions at the Central Office for the Placement of Foreign Workers and Specialists (ZAV) in Cologne.

Admission:
The school holds entrance exams several times a year. In a relaxed atmosphere, applicants are tested on their linguistic, acting, and physical aptitude for the acting profession. In addition, they are required to present two self-prepared excerpts from roles in classical and modern theater literature, each lasting no more than five minutes.