Staatstheater Darmstadt

In the location's words:

The Staatstheater Darmstadt is a multi-genre theater with music and dance theater, drama and concerts. More than 500 employees work here in front of and behind the scenes to bring numerous productions - from plays and concerts, ballet and dance theater to musicals, operas and operettas - to the various stages in the house and in the city every season. In addition, guided tours, introductions, discussion formats and workshops encourage exchange and contact.

The theater has a long tradition. The Staatstheater emerged from the former theater, which was founded in the grand ducal, formerly landgrave's residence in Darmstadt. Opened in 1819, the court theater, built by architect Georg Moller, was one of the best of its time. From 1900, conductors such as Felix Weingartner, Karl Böhm and Erich Klaiber worked here. This old opera house, whose façade is still one of Darmstadt's defining cityscapes, now serves as the Hessian State Archive following its reconstruction. Between 1945 and 1972, the Orangerie in Bessungen was the main venue of the State Theater. Since 1972, the State of Hesse and the City of Darmstadt have been responsible for the State Theater. When it opened, its new building by architect Rolf Prange was one of the defining theater buildings of the 1970s. In a first step around 15 years ago, the main auditorium, the foyers and the entrance were renovated by Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei and the Kammerspiele opened as a third venue.

The theater is located on Georg-Büchner-Platz in the vicinity of the Ludwigskirche and the Mollerhaus and is visible from afar with its eye-catching theater portal and its bright marble façade interspersed with shimmering brass panels. Since its renovation, the square in front of the theater has become an urban meeting place. Karsten Wiegand has been the director of the Staatstheater since 2014.