Theatre Buildings in the Federal Republic of Germany 1949-75

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frank Schmitz
• Subject Area: Art History
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 248654202

The research project will examin theatre buildings and opera houses built during the first and second period of post-war architecture (1949-75) in the Federal Republic of Germany. The project will be subdivided into an analytical part and a catalogue of all theatre buildings and opera houses built in the relevant time period. The analytical part will focus on democratic implications in theatre building in terms of architecture, urban planning and national representation. Theatres and opera houses were among the first new buildings after World War II in Germany, years before housing programs came into effect. As a consequence, theatres and opera houses played an important role in creating a democratic expression of the Federal Republic of Germany. Building materials were given a new meaning, spacial structures of stage and auditorium were redefined. Participatory planning processes were tried out in the example of theatres and opera houses, since many theatres were financed by associations, i.e. a group of citizens. As a conclusion, theatre building in the Federal Republic of Germany should be considered more then a visualization but a constituent of a democratic society.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants