Hans Otto Theatre

With its large new stage building in Schiffbauergasse, opened in 2006, the Hans Otto Theater is visible from afar. The striking building with its shell-shaped, cantilevered roofs was designed by Cologne architect and Pritzker Prize winner Gottfried Böhm.
In addition to the main auditorium with 450 seats, there are three other venues: the nearby riding hall with 160 seats, the smaller stage “Reithalle Box”, and the open-air summer stage at Tiefen See.
Since the 2018/19 season, Bettina Jahnke has been the artistic director of the Hans Otto Theater, which has a permanent ensemble of 25 members. Alongside the director-general, who also directs productions, the theater's artistic profile is shaped by directors with diverse experience as well as promising young talents. They are characterized by strong conceptual approaches with political incisiveness, visually striking aesthetics, and a commitment to ensemble work.