Grenzlandtheater Aachen

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The Grenzlandtheater Aachen , initially called Zimmer Theater Aachen , was founded in 1950 by the actor Kurt Sieder as a private theater in Aachen and opened with GB Shaw's play "Die Macht des Schicksals". Together with the then Aachen district and shareholders, it was converted into a limited liability company in 1951 before the district took over the theater completely in 1956. A few years later, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia was added as a further financial institution . In 1962, the Zimmer Theater was renamed Grenzlandtheater Aachen and it was one of the first theaters to be sponsored by a district. Today it is carried by the Aachen city region - as the legal successor to the Aachen district , which in turn followed the district that was dissolved in 1972. The Grenzlandtheater Aachen has no connection whatsoever with the Grenzlandtheater of the Nazi era .

Structure and structure

With the exception of a few permanent employees, the theater has no permanent ensemble . The casting of individual roles as well as the work of the directors are taken over by freelance actors and employees, some of whom have been associated with the theater for years. In the beginning of the year, the lecture hall of the German-English cultural institute had to serve as a performance venue before the theater could move into its current rooms in the Aachener Elisengalerie (then: Nuellens-Passage ) from 1952 . Before these rooms were converted, the house had a small, intimate stage without a curtain or back room and had space for almost 200 spectators. After a thorough renovation with appropriate contemporary reconstruction measures in 1995 and 1996, the stage depth could be significantly improved. Space was created for small music groups and modern computer-controlled switching technology and air conditioning were installed. Despite these modernizations, it was possible to maintain closeness and familiarity with the audience.

With around eight recordings per season, the theater has specialized in the repertoire of contemporary modern drama . Here the program ranges from the classics of this time such as B. Romeo and Juliet , Don Karlos , Nathan the Wise , Hamlet or Faust about the modern classic All my sons to the dramas Ghetto , Enigma , witch hunt and others. Entertainment pieces and musicals such as cabaret , My fair Lady or La Cage aux Folles are also performed.

In 1991 an additional association with currently approx. 600 members was founded, which has set itself the task of providing ideal and material support for the theater, mobilizing sponsors , and also the annual Karl Heinz Walther Prize to award outstanding young talent. The sponsoring association is also the publisher of the annual information brochure Kulissengeflüster , which appears at the beginning of each season and provides information on the theater's current program and staff.

A special feature of the Grenzlandtheater is that each production is not only shown in-house, but also in a number of different venues in the near and far surroundings.

GRETA

The Grenzlandtheater has been affiliated with the Grenzlandtheater since 2006, the young borderland theater "GRETA" , which has set itself specifically for children and youth programs and goes to schools and youth centers as a mobile theater group, for example, with plays such as " Diary of Anne Frank " or Sofie's World . But workshops , student presentations, guided tours through the theater, and support during trial work are also part of GRETA's everyday life . According to their motto Theater is cool , the aim is to get young people excited about the theater and to encourage them to play. GRETA is also a cooperation partner of the St. Ursula Gymnasium Aachen .

Director and actor

After Kurt Sieder , who had previously headed the Stadttheater Aachen as the first post-war director, ran the Grenzlandtheater from 1950 until his death, Karl-Heinz Walther , actor at the Hamburg Thalia Theater and founder of the Heidelberger Zimmertheater took over the management . After almost 30 years of management, from the 1994/1995 season onwards, he finally placed it in the hands of his long-standing dramaturge and director Manfred Rolf Langner , who was trained by the trained social worker, actor and speaker of the former Mayor Jürgen Linden Uwe at the beginning of the 2009/10 season Brandt was replaced.

In addition to guest engagements with various directors, many well-known actors have spent some time at this theater or used it as a springboard for their further careers in film or theater. These include: Alexandra Wilcke , Klaus Nierhoff , Martina Servatius , Peter Nottmeier , Guido Hammesfahr , Sybille Waury , Anke Schwiekowski , Viola Wedekind , Bianca Hein , Beatrice Kaps-Zurmahr , Susanne Evers , Tilmar Kuhn , Axel Weidemann , Tom Witkowski , Bodo Wolf (Voice actor) , Daniela Bette , Raphael Grosch .

With this artistic potential and the associated positive box office results and a good use of space, the Grenzlandtheater works extremely successfully and with these figures is leading in North Rhine-Westphalia and second in Germany . It also ensures through co-productions with other theaters as well as organized tours and its own guest performances and the like. a. in Nuremberg , Essen , Frankfurt am Main , beyond the region for a high level of awareness.

literature

  • Star hours - The Grenzlandtheater Aachen through the ages - a revue from six decades ; Ed .: Heimatblätter des Kreis Aachen , 2008

Web links

Coordinates: 50 ° 46 '24.8 "  N , 6 ° 5' 19.6"  E