Biography
Irina Schönen lives not far from the city of Zurich, trained at the Schauspielakademie Zürich (now ZHdK). After a three-year engagement at the Zimmertheater in Tübingen, she worked in independent productions in Switzerland (Theater an der Winkelwiese ZH, Theater Heddy Maria Wettstein ZH, Theater Tuchlaube Aarau, Cabaret Götterspass, Vaudeville Theater ZH, etc.). ) four productions with the Bernese a cappella group «Single Belles», smaller film and TV roles, radio plays, readings (Musikpodium Zürich, sogartheater Zürich, Theater Stadelhofen, Literaturtage Leukerbad , Zürich liest etc.), co-founder of DamenDramenLabor with readings and performances in 2008 and 2012 at Sogar Theater. In 2014, in collaboration with Gian Rupf, staged readings: «Bär macht Heiratsantrag» scenes by Anton Cechov and: «Ein ganzes Leben» by Robert Seethaler. For more than 25 years regular readings for Swiss Television SRF (Kulturplatz, NZZ Format, Arena, DOK, Sternstunde, 3Sat etc.), also speech and reading coaching and courses.
Current project: Readings with Rupf & Schönen
Irina’s favorite…
Film
- En thérapie (2021)
- Ma vie de Courgette (Mein Leben als Zucchini) (2016)
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Music
- Your Song – Elton John (1970)
- Hejira – Jony Mitchell (1976)
- Drive Darling – Boy (2011)
TV programme
- Kulturplatz SRF