Plans for new theater building in Chemnitz

The city of Chemnitz has presented plans for a new theater building. The background to this is that the costs of renovating the existing theater have risen enormously. The project is therefore on hold. The theater and puppet theater are temporarily housed in the former Spinnbau factory complex. After examining several options, the permanent use of this area, including the construction of a new stage and auditorium, is the most promising, explained Thomas Kütter, Head of the Chemnitz Building Department.

New construction of the stage tower, auditorium and workshops

According to the plans, other areas of the municipal theaters that are currently spread across the city and cause a lot of logistical effort - such as the workshops - will also be concentrated on the site. According to initial estimates, the new construction of the theater and workshops as well as the renovation of the existing buildings would cost around 32.5 million euros. In addition, an open-air stage with 300 seats in a park area would cost around half a million euros. The price of the property is also not yet included in the calculation.

Mayor of Construction Michael Stötzer referred to earlier considerations in the city to concentrate the theater locations in the city center near the opera house. According to current construction prices, this would cost around 200 million euros, he said. The renovation of the Schauspielhaus is also currently estimated at more than 34 million euros, without any improvement for the workshops, for example.

"There could be an excellent future for drama in Chemnitz here," stated General Director Christoph Dittrich. The building represents the city's industrial history and the audience has responded very well to the current interim theater and puppet theater. "What is missing is a hall that is suitable for drama, many other things are already there."

Important role as a "place of free speech"

The old Schauspielhaus was opened in 1980 after the previous building fell victim to a fire. It is considered to be in urgent need of renovation, particularly with regard to fire safety. Recently, an action alliance occupied the empty building to campaign for its preservation. "In the days of real socialism, the theater was a place of free speech," said Dittrich, recalling its importance in the GDR. Many people still associate this with the old location, he admitted.

It is now up to the city council to decide how to proceed with the plans - and whether the city can even raise the funds and subsidies for such a new building. In any case, visitors and employees of the theater will have to be patient for several more years. Once the question of location, financing and the acquisition of the land have been clarified, it will take around four years for planning and construction, said Stötzer. Even in the most optimistic scenario, completion is therefore not expected until after 2030.