Nationaltheater Mannheim

Nationaltheater Manneim (NTM) is one of Germany’s largest and oldest municipal repertoire theatres, with roots going back to the 18th century. The influence of Schiller’s legacy and a strong connection to Mozart continue to shape NTM’s work today. Each year, the theatre alternates between hosting the Internationalen Schillertage (Drama) and Mannheim Sommer (Opera) festivals. Numerous world and German premieres across opera, drama, dance, and theatre for young audiences, with the Mannheimer Stadtensemble founded in 2018, illustrate a vibrant, contemporary evolution of tradition. With outstanding artistic achievements and around 1,000 performances annually for approximately 350,000 visitors, NTM stands as a cultural beacon in southern Germany and among the country’s most important stages.

The current main venue on Goetheplatz, designed by architect Gerhard Weber, opened in 1957 and is now a cultural landmark. Over sixty years after its opening, the theatre has been undergoing extensive renovations since the summer of 2022. Interim opera venues include the Schlosstheater Schwetzingen and, as of October 2024, the newly opened Opera at Luisenpark (OPAL). Additionally, works ranging from baroque to contemporary, staged in a variety of spatial concepts and artistic styles, have been presented at locations such as Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen, the former Schildkröt Factory in Mannheim, the Mannheim Rosengarten and other public spaces.

Collaboration with young, emerging artists as actors, dancers, choreographers, singers, directors or composers, stage designers is part of the artistic core of the NTM. In 2016, the theatre founded the International Opera Studio as its new main programme to employ and to support emerging artists at the beginning of their professional careers. The programme consists of role studies, vocal lessons, acting and movement classes. Emerging artists have the opportunity to create their own productions as well as take on roles in the main stage. There they work with internationally renowned conductors and directors, and experienced colleagues.