LOFFT The Theater
LOFFT – Leipzig's Off Theater is a non-profit presenting house and producer in Leipzig's Spinnerei, programming ~150 contemporary dance and theater events yearly for independent artists and a regional audience.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersLeipzig, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What LOFFT The Theater does
LOFFT – Leipzig's Off Theater operates as a non-profit performing arts venue and production house based in Hall 7 of the Spinnerei Leipzig complex in Leipzig, Germany. Founded in 1997, it functions as both a presenting house and a producer, programming roughly 150 events per year with artists from over 15 countries. Its on-site offering spans contemporary dance, theater, and performance, anchored by in-house productions and a curated co-production program that receives over 100 submissions annually for four slots.
Since January 2019, operations have been carried out through LOFFT Theaterbetriebe gGmbH, a non-profit GmbH wholly owned by the supporting association Verein zur Förderung des Leipziger Off-Theaters e.V. The company hosts the FORWARD DANCE COMPANY, established in 2020 as the first mixed-ability professional dance company in Saxony, and runs artist-development formats such as KATAPULT preview showcases, dance and theater weeks, and an annual festival.
Revenue is generated through a mix of ticket sales priced between €7 and €25, multi-year institutional grants from the City of Leipzig and the Free State of Saxony, venue rental, memberships, and co-production partnerships. LOFFT is embedded in multiple German and European performing arts networks, including FREISCHWIMMEN, Netzwerk Freier Theater, tanz.tausch, Dance Transit, OFF EUROPA, and euro-scene, and administers sector-level initiatives such as the Ursula-Cain-Preis and the Caroline Neuber Scholarship. Leadership is headed by managing director Anne-Cathrin Lessel.
LOFFT The Theater firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LOFFT The Theater
- Legal name
- LOFFT Theaterbetriebe gGmbH
- Website
- https://lofft.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LOFFT – Leipzig's Off Theater is a non-profit presenting house and producer in Leipzig's Spinnerei, programming ~150 contemporary dance and theater events yearly for independent artists and a regional audience.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LOFFT The Theater industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Venue
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Dance Companies (71112)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Venue Guest Services & Front-of-House Operations (Ushers, Box Office, Accessibility) (MPAGALAK), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Dance Performances (THAJAFAD)
Keywords
Where LOFFT The Theater is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leipzig
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
LOFFT The Theater business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales across three price categories (A: 15/10 euro, B: 10/7 euro, G: 18/13 euro) plus solidarity pricing and discounted rates for students, unemployed, disabled persons, and LeipzigPass holders.
- Institutional Funding: Core institutional funding from Stadt Leipzig Kulturamt and Sächsisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft, Kultur und Tourismus. Additional project funding through TANZPAKT Stadt-Land-Bund, TANZPAKT RECONNECT, and various NEUSTART KULTUR programs.
- Venue Rental: Rental of premises (Main Venue, Studio Venue, Rehearsal Room, Foyer) to external artists and organizers with optional technical support.
- Membership and Friends Programs: Annual membership fees for the Friends of LOFFT (100 euro enthusiasts / 50 euro regular) and supporting membership in the Association to support the Leipzig OFF-Theatre e.V. (Student: 12 euro, Standard: 60 euro, Patron: 120+ euro, Business: 240+ euro).
- Co-production Partnerships: Co-production model where LOFFT provides financial subsidy, rehearsal space, stage, technical support, and promotion in exchange for artist collaborations. Partners also receive fixed fees per performance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Price Category A - Standard events |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Price Category B - Standard events |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Price Category G - Premium events |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solidarity Price - Support pricing |
| Subscription | Annual | Friends Annual Membership - Enthusiast |
| Subscription | Annual | Friends Annual Membership - Regular |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting Membership - Student |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting Membership - Standard |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting Membership - Patron |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting Membership - Business |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
LOFFT The Theater product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LOFFT - DAS THEATER operates a free production house and performing arts venue in Leipzig's Spinnerei complex, producing and hosting approximately 150 live events annually across dance, performance, and theater art. Beyond presenting international and local productions, the venue runs its resident FORWARD DANCE COMPANY (a permanent mixed-ability dance ensemble), co-production programs for independent artists, multi-tiered artist development tracks, festivals, and a Saxon dance award. Revenue is supplemented by venue rental, ticket sales, memberships, and public institutional funding.
Product overview
LOFFT - DAS THEATER is a free production house and performing arts venue located in Leipzig's Spinnerei complex since 2019, hosting approximately 150 events annually with over 450 artists from 15 countries. The venue offers multiple integrated programs: FORWARD DANCE COMPANY (its resident mixed-ability dance ensemble), the KATAPULT Performance Platform (co-organized with partner theaters), co-production programs with open application processes, artist development through the Impulse and Artist Development Programme, and event venues for rental. The organization also administers the URSULA-CAIN-PREIS (Saxon Dance Award) and coordinates the Caroline Neuber Scholarship for the City of Leipzig.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LOFFT - DAS THEATER (Venue Performances) Full-season program of approximately 150 live performing arts events per year featuring international and local productions in contemporary dance, performance art, and theater. Open to individual ticket buyers and visitors at the Spinnerei Leipzig venue, presented across the Main Venue (up to 199 seats) and Studio Venue (~50 seats).
- FORWARD DANCE COMPANY In-house mixed-ability professional dance ensemble of six permanent dancers working with multiple choreographers. Performs contemporary dance pieces that question established worldviews, power relations, and body images, presenting to general and specialized audiences.
- Venue Rental Rental of LOFFT's halls and rehearsal rooms to external artists, performing groups, and organizers, with optional technical support. Used for rehearsals, premieres, festivals, and private events by external users.
- Co-productions Program Annual open call offering selected independent productions financial subsidy, free rehearsal space and stage access, technical support, and promotion. Designed for performing artists and groups seeking production support and a presentation platform.
- Artist Development Programs (Impulse Programme & Artist Development Programme) Multi-tiered artist development tracks: the Impulse Programme offers co-productions plus mentorship in project management, financing, insurance, tax, dramaturgy, lighting design, and choreography for newcomers; the Artist Development Programme is a two-year continuous support track that extends beyond individual productions.
- KATAPULT Performance Platform Leipzig Experimental performance platform supporting projects that explore innovative performative forms on socially relevant topics. Selected projects receive co-funding of 5,000 euros along with dramaturgical and organizational-technical support.
- WERKSTATT Try-out and emerging-artist platform developed in partnership with WERKSTATTMACHER e.V., giving young artists opportunities to premiere artistic works with production assistance and a small try-out budget.
- Friends of LOFFT Membership Annual subscription program for individual supporters of LOFFT, with two tiers: Enthusiast (100 euros/year) and Regular (50 euros/year). Members receive invitations to premieres, behind-the-scenes insights, and schedule presentations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 450+ artists from 15 countries perform at LOFFT annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use LOFFT The Theater
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LOFFT The Theater technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
LOFFT The Theater partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Forward Dance CompanycoreIntegrated in-house dance company established by LOFFT in 2020. The first mixed-ability professional dance company in Saxony and in the German-speaking region, where dancers with normative and non-normative physicalities work together under professional conditions. Uses artistic means of dance to question established worldviews, power relations, and body images.
- Verein zur Förderung des Leipziger Off-Theaters e.V.coreThe parent association that founded LOFFT in 1997 and now serves as 100% shareholder of LOFFT Theaterbetriebe gGmbH since 2019. The association continues to advocate for independent performing arts, network members, and implement smaller projects.
- Oper LeipzigmajorLong-standing partner, co-producer of NEW WAVES featuring Leipziger Ballett dancers presenting choreographic works, demonstrating cooperation between municipal theater and independent scene.
- FREISCHWIMMEN NetworkmajorInternational exchange and production platform for young groups and artists in theater and performance. Partners include: brut Vienna, FFT Düsseldorf, Gessnerallee Zurich, HochX Munich, Schwankhalle Bremen, Sophiensæle Berlin, Theater Rampe Stuttgart, and LOFFT Leipzig. Offers residencies, workshop shows, guest performances, and labs.
- Netzwerk Freier TheatermajorNational co-production and performance network of eleven theaters in ten German states. LOFFT is the first production house from Saxony. Members include: LICHTHOF Theater Hamburg, LOT-Theater Braunschweig, Pathos Munich, studioNaxos Frankfurt, Theater Rampe Stuttgart, Schwankhalle Bremen, TD Berlin, WUK Theater Quartier Halle, zeitraumexit Mannheim, Theaterwerkstatt Pilkentafel Flensburg, LOFFT Leipzig.
- tanz.tausch NetworkmajorDance and performance network and festival founded in Cologne in 2010. Promotes and tours mid-career artists while supporting up-and-coming artists. LOFFT has been realizing its own tanz.tausch formats and festival editions since 2013/2014.
- Dance Transit Festival (Praha.Dresden.Leipzig)majorPlatform for contemporary dance initiating artistic exchange between Prague, Dresden, and Leipzig. Partner institutions include LOFFT, Tanec Praha / PONEC, Divadlo Archa, and HELLERAU - Europäisches Zentrum der Künste Dresden.
- OFF EUROPA FestivalmajorFestival for Contemporary and Performing Arts founded in 1992, dedicated to countries on the margins of central-European perception. LOFFT has been a continuous partner since 1997.
- euro-scene LeipzigmajorOne of the most important European theater and dance festivals, presenting contemporary European guest performances at LOFFT since 1999. Long-standing partnership.
- Caroline Neuber ScholarshipmajorInternational scholarship awarded by the City of Leipzig since 2020, honoring young European female artists in contemporary theater. LOFFT coordinates and implements the award ceremony and scholarship on behalf of the City.
- Ursula-Cain-Preis (Sächsischer Tanzpreis)majorThe Saxon Dance Award awarded by the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism. LOFFT hosts and organizes the award, which recognizes outstanding dance productions from Saxony.
- WERKSTATTMACHER e.V.minorPartnership for the WERKSTATT platform for emerging artists, providing opportunities for premiering artistic works with production assistance and small budgets for try-outs.
- KATAPULT Performance Platform LeipzigmajorJoint platform organized by LOFFT, Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig, and Schaubühne Lindenfels. Supports experimental projects exploring innovative performative forms. Fourth edition in 2026/27 season.
- Other PartnersminorAdditional partners include: Culturtraeger, Die VILLA Leipzig, Gangart, Haus E, Matero GmbH, ungestalt, and WG-Gesucht
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
LOFFT The Theater competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Schwankhalle Bremen: Schwankhalle is a founding member of both FREISCHWIMMEN and Netzwerk Freier Theater alongside LOFFT, operating as an independent production house and venue for contemporary performing arts in Bremen. Direct peer in network and business model.
- Kampnagel Hamburg: Kampnagel is one of Germany's largest independent production houses for performing arts (theater, dance, performance) located in Hamburg, with a similar mix of co-productions, international guest performances, and artist development. Directly comparable to LOFFT in mission, scale of programming, and federal-state funding model.
- HELLERAU - Europäisches Zentrum der Künste Dresden: HELLERAU is a partner of LOFFT in the Dance Transit Festival (Praha.Dresden.Leipzig) and a leading European center for contemporary dance, performance, and music in the Dresden region. Direct peer in regional dance ecosystem and co-production model.
- Theater Rampe Stuttgart: Theater Rampe Stuttgart is a fellow member of both FREISCHWIMMEN and Netzwerk Freier Theater, operating as an independent production venue for contemporary theater, dance, and performance in Stuttgart. Direct peer with comparable co-production model.
- Sophiensæle Berlin: Sophiensæle is a FREISCHWIMMEN co-founding member and one of Berlin's leading independent production venues for contemporary dance, performance, and theater. Direct peer in network, programming model, and artistic mission.
- Gessnerallee Zürich: Gessnerallee Zürich is a Swiss FREISCHWIMMEN co-founding member, an independent production house and venue for contemporary dance, theater, and performance. Direct peer in network structure and programming model.
- brut Wien: brut Wien is an Austrian FREISCHWIMMEN co-founding member operating as a production house and venue for contemporary performing arts in Vienna. Direct peer in the international independent production network alongside LOFFT.
- PACT Zollverein Essen: PACT Zollverein is a production and venue house for contemporary dance, performance, and theater in the Ruhr area, with comparable co-production programs and international network participation. Comparable in size and mission to LOFFT.
- HochX München: HochX Theater and Live Art is a Munich-based FREISCHWIMMEN co-founding member operating as an independent venue for contemporary performing arts. Direct peer in international network and co-production approach.
- FFT Düsseldorf: Forum Freies Theater (FFT) Düsseldorf is a co-founding member of the FREISCHWIMMEN network alongside LOFFT, operating as an independent production house and venue for dance, performance, and theater. Directly comparable programming model and network position.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LOFFT The Theater social profiles
Digital presenceLOFFT The Theater financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LOFFT The Theater leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
LOFFT The Theater funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LOFFT The Theater M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LOFFT The Theater
What does LOFFT The Theater do?
LOFFT - DAS THEATER operates a free production house and performing arts venue in Leipzig's Spinnerei complex, producing and hosting approximately 150 live events annually across dance, performance, and theater art. Beyond presenting international and local productions, the venue runs its resident FORWARD DANCE COMPANY (a permanent mixed-ability dance ensemble), co-production programs for independent artists, multi-tiered artist development tracks, festivals, and a Saxon dance award. Revenue is supplemented by venue rental, ticket sales, memberships, and public institutional funding.
Is LOFFT The Theater a public or private company?
LOFFT The Theater is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LOFFT The Theater founded?
LOFFT The Theater was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LOFFT The Theater based?
LOFFT The Theater is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does LOFFT The Theater make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are institutional Funding, venue Rental, membership and Friends Programs and co-production Partnerships.
Who are LOFFT The Theater's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Schwankhalle Bremen, Kampnagel Hamburg, HELLERAU - Europäisches Zentrum der Künste Dresden, Theater Rampe Stuttgart, Sophiensæle Berlin, Gessnerallee Zürich, brut Wien, PACT Zollverein Essen, HochX München and FFT Düsseldorf.
Does LOFFT The Theater have an API?
No public API is recorded for LOFFT The Theater.
What industry is LOFFT The Theater in?
LOFFT The Theater's product category is Performing Arts Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAB, Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses), with a secondary code of MPAGALAK, Venue Guest Services & Front-of-House Operations (Ushers, Box Office, Accessibility). Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7900.