Staatsschauspiel Dresden
Dresden, GermanyFounded in 1913
For the 2009/10 season, the Staatsschauspiel Dresden is undergoing a major change - after eight years under director Holk Freytag, the theatre will now be headed by Wilfried Schulz and his new team.
Wilfried Schulz was extremely successful from 2000 on as the managing and artistic director of the Niedersächsische Staatstheater Hannover (schauspielhannover). Over the last years, the theatre has received numerous awards and invitations to festivals, with the company performing nine times at the Berlin Theatertreffen Festival, the most important theatre festival in Germany. Under Schulz's management, the formative directors in Hanover included Sebastian Nübling, Nicolas Stemann, Johann Kresnik, Barbara Bürk, Jürgen Gosch, Nuran David Calis and Sebastian Baumgarten – and some will certainly be on hand to direct works in the 2009/10 season and later in Dresden as well.
The Staatsschauspiel Dresden has two stages. The traditional main stage in the old city at the “Große Haus” has two balconies and seats 800. It was originally opened in 1913, and has now been completely refurbished to historical specifications.
The second venue, the “Kleine Haus”, was opened in 2005. This theatre, which seats 350, is located in the popular Neustadt area. In summer 2009, two new stages will also be added to the “Kleine Haus” venue: a studio stage seating 80 and a workshop stage with space for an audience of 150. The main focus of the “Kleine Haus” theatre is on contemporary drama and workshops with lay actors from all parts of society.
The “After the Fall” festival is the first international cooperation involving the Staatsschauspiel Dresden's new management and forms a main plank in their opening programme. Further international co-productions and guest performances are already in planning.
