English Theatre Berlin

What English Theatre Berlin does

English Theatre Berlin (ETB | IPAC) is a registered non-profit performing-arts organization (English Theatre Berlin e.V.) operating a 120-seat Main Stage and an adjacent Studio space in Berlin-Kreuzberg. It functions as both a producing and presenting venue for English-language theater, programmed across four series: Producing (in-house productions), Presenting (hosting international work), Performing (festival and showcase slots), and Pedagogy (workshops, drama education, and school partnerships). Its core product is live theater — staged plays, readings, and educational programming — delivered to Berlin's English-speaking expatriate community, the broader local and international audience, and school groups.

The business model is a mixed-revenue non-profit structure. Earned income comes from ticket sales priced at €8–€18, workshop and pedagogy fees, and bar/program revenue. The majority of operating support is sourced from public cultural grants, including the Berlin Senate, the Hauptstadtkulturfonds, and the Fonds Darstellende Künste, supplemented by private donations and bilateral cultural partnerships (the Canadian Embassy's Focus Canada program since 2018, Norway's Ibsen Scope Festival since 2022). Long-running collaborations such as the TUSCH (Theater und Schule) program — currently with Freie Sekundarschule Peppermont since 2020 — anchor the school audience pipeline. Operations run on a small team of 1–10 employees plus project-based artistic and educational staff.

The organization's 2026 production slate (Carbon Negative, A Bee in the Heart of Her, Elektra!, Ultimate Russian Protest Guide) signals thematic expansion into climate/science and politically engaged international work, while the four-track programming model indicates a deliberate diversification of revenue and audience channels. The theater's core operational technology is conventional venue tooling — Google Analytics, Campaign Monitor email marketing, and Reservix ticketing — with no disclosed AI, proprietary platform, or differentiated technology stack.

Name

English Theatre Berlin

Legal name

English Theatre Berlin e. V.

Website

https://etberlin.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

English Theatre Berlin is a non-profit performing-arts venue in Berlin-Kreuzberg running a 120-seat Main Stage and Studio, producing and presenting English-language theater across Producing, Presenting, Performing, and Pedagogy tracks for expatriate audiences, local theatergoers, and Berlin schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• English-language theater
• Performing arts center
• Youth theater programs
• Comedy showcases
• Drama workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: English Theatre Berlin generates revenue primarily through ticket sales for its staged productions, festivals, concerts, comedy showcases, and youth theatre performances. Tickets are sold through an online Reservix ticketing system and at the box office. The venue has a 120-seat auditorium.
2. Donations and Support: As a gemeinnütziger Verein (non-profit association), English Theatre Berlin receives donations and support from public funding bodies including the Senate Department for Culture and Community of the State of Berlin, the Hauptstadtkulturfonds (Capital Cultural Fund), and various private foundations.
3. Workshop and Pedagogy Fees: Revenue is generated through school workshop programs, the Berlin International Youth Theatre (BIYT), and TUSCH (Theater und Schule) partnership programs with Berlin schools. Fees support educational programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

English Theatre Berlin is a non-profit performing arts venue and production company that creates, produces, and presents English-language theater productions, festivals, comedy showcases, concerts, literature programming, and educational theater programs at its 120-seat auditorium and studio in Berlin-Kreuzberg. It operates a four-pillar programming model (Producing, Presenting, Performing, and Pedagogy Series), serving Berlin's international community, independent artists, young people, and partner schools.

Product overview

English Theatre Berlin | International Performing Arts Center (ETB | IPAC) is a non-profit performing arts venue and production company in Berlin's Kreuzberg district. The organization operates as a multi-series programming model consisting of four core pillars: Producing Series (original productions including Made in Berlin, Freie Szene, The LAB, Science&Theatre, and Expo Festival), Presenting Series (international guest performances and festivals), Performing Series (ongoing comedy, concerts, and literature programming), and Pedagogy Series (educational programming including Berlin International Youth Theatre, School Workshops, and TUSCH school partnerships). The venue hosts approximately 12+ productions annually ranging from multimedia theater and youth theater to documentary theater and comedy showcases, complemented by annual festivals including the Expo Festival and IMPRO international improv festival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Producing Series A series of original English-language theatrical productions and programs created in-house by English Theatre Berlin, covering original works, Berlin's independent performing arts community (Freie Szene), artist and audience development (The LAB), science-themed theater, and the annual Expo Festival. Targeted at Berlin's international and English-speaking audiences.
• Presenting Series A programming series presenting international English-language shows and festivals at the English Theatre Berlin venue, hosting guest performances from international theater companies. Targeted at Berlin audiences seeking international performing arts.
• Performing Series An ongoing programming series covering comedy showcases, concerts, and literature performances at English Theatre Berlin. Targeted at general audiences in Berlin interested in English-language comedy, live music, and literary events.
• Pedagogy Series An educational programming series encompassing youth theater, school workshops, and school partnership programs for young people and Berlin schools. Includes the Berlin International Youth Theatre (BIYT), school workshop offerings, and the TUSCH (Theater und Schule) long-term school partnerships.
• Berlin International Youth Theatre (BIYT) A youth theater program offering performance, ensemble, and skill-building opportunities for young people aged 13 and above at English Theatre Berlin, producing annual youth theater performances and workshops.
• Theater und Schule (TUSCH) A long-term partnership program between Berlin theaters and schools, developing theater-based projects for school communities. English Theatre Berlin has participated in TUSCH since 2002, partnering with schools including Freie Sekundarschule Peppermont, Carl-Bosch-Oberschule, Paulsen-Gymnasium, and Heinrich-Schliemann-Gymnasium across different years.
• School Workshops Educational drama workshops offered to Berlin schools, frequently tied thematically to specific English Theatre Berlin productions. Targeted at school students and teachers.
• The Expo Festival An annual festival showcasing Berlin-based international and immigrant professional performing artists (Wahlberliner), featuring curated professional performances and the ExpLoRE showcase format for emerging artists. Targeted at Berlin's international performing arts community.
• International Comedy Showcase A monthly comedy showcase featuring international headliners and multiple comedy formats including stand-up, short-form and long-form improv, and musical comedy. Targeted at Berlin audiences interested in English-language comedy.
• IMPRO Festival An annual international festival for improvisational theater, described as one of the largest of its kind in Europe, featuring both professional and amateur improvising artists.
• Focus Canada A curated multi-month programming series presenting Canadian theater makers and performers at English Theatre Berlin, supported by the Canadian Embassy. Targeted at Berlin audiences interested in Canadian performing arts.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ibsen Scope Festival (Skien, Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The Ibsen Scope Festival in Skien, Norway, awarded a 2022 Ibsen Scope Grant to Sibyl Kempson and Daniel Brunet for 'A Bee in the Heart of Her'. The festival is dedicated to highlighting world issues through the works of Henrik Ibsen. The grant supported the world premiere at ETB.
• Canadian Embassy in BerlincoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 May 2018The Canadian Embassy in Berlin provided generous support for Focus Canada at ETB | IPAC, a six-month program showcasing Canadian theater makers and performers including the production Mouthpiece by Quote Unquote Collective (Toronto) and a solo show by Daniel-Ryan Spaulding. The embassy logo appears as a supporting partner on ETB materials.
• Initiative in Remembrance of Oury JallohcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2016ETB cooperated with the Initiative in Remembrance of Oury Jalloh on school workshops in conjunction with the world premiere of 'The Most Unsatisfied Town' by Amy Evans. The play is based on the true story of Oury Jalloh, who was killed in Dessau police custody in 2005, and the activists of the Initiative spurred an international movement to bring his killers to justice.
• District Kunst- und KulturförderungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2013A collaboration between District Kunst- und Kulturförderung and English Theatre Berlin – International Performing Arts Center for the exhibition and performance project 'Terrain of Threshold Voices'. This project combined artistic research on language and urban transformation with performances held at District's space in the Malzfabrik, Tempelhof-Schöneberg.
• US Embassy BerlincoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2013The US Embassy Berlin partnered with English Theatre Berlin for the US Embassy Literature Series, hosting authors including Jennine Capó Crucet as Picador Guest Professor for Literature at Leipzig University. The embassy is listed as a cooperating partner for literary events.
• Aurora NovacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2013Aurora Nova co-produced White Rabbit, Red Rabbit with English Theatre Berlin in 2013. Aurora Nova is a presenting organization for international performing arts. Originally produced by Volcano Theatre (Toronto) in association with Necessary Angel and Wolfgang Hoffmann.
• Theater ThikwaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater Thikwa provided the use of their studio space for the development of 'A Bee in the Heart of Her' workshops at English Theatre Berlin.
• TATWERK | Performative ForschungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTATWERK | Performative Forschung provided rehearsal space for the development of 'A Bee in the Heart of Her'.
• Senate Department for Culture and Community of the State of BerlincoreOthersPublic funding body providing operational and programmatic support to English Theatre Berlin as a cultural institution in Berlin. Listed as a funder for productions such as 'Carbon Negative' by Flinn Works.
• Hauptstadtkulturfonds (Capital Cultural Fund)coreOthersA major Berlin-based cultural fund providing financial support for innovative cultural projects. Funded productions including 'The Most Unsatisfied Town' and the 'Terrain of Threshold Voices' exhibition/performance project.
• Fonds Darstellende KünstecoreOthersA German federal fund for performing arts, providing support with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Listed as a funder for 'Carbon Negative' by Flinn Works and provider of the Tabori-Award by Fonds Darstellende Künste.
• Gerhard Fieseler FoundationminorOthersPrivate foundation listed as a funder of the 'Carbon Negative' production by Flinn Works at English Theatre Berlin.
• Berliner Senat für Bildung, Jugend und SportcoreOthersThe Berlin Senate's education and youth authority that oversees the TUSCH (Theater und Schule) program. TUSCH creates partnerships between Berlin theaters and approximately 30 schools. ETB has been a TUSCH partner since 2002.
• Egg & Bear Comedy ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin-based comedy production company that cooperated with ETB on the International Comedy Showcase programming, featuring stand-up, improv, and musical comedy performances.
• Werkstatt der KulturenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA Berlin venue in Neukölln (Wissmannstraße 32) that hosted a scenic presentation of 'The Most Unsatisfied Town' as part of the Carnival of Literatures festival. ETB partnered with Werkstatt der Kulturen for this off-site presentation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Maxim Gorki Theater Berlin: Berlin theater known for socially engaged, multilingual programming including English-language productions. Direct competitor in the Berlin theater landscape and a benchmark for documentary and politically engaged theater work similar to ETB's artistic positioning.
• Theaterhaus Stuttgart: Major Stuttgart performing arts venue presenting theater, dance, music, and comedy across multiple spaces. Comparable in multi-genre programming model and operates at significantly larger scale under similar German public cultural funding structures.
• HAU Hebbel am Ufer: Berlin's leading venue for independent contemporary performing arts across three stages, presenting theater, dance, and performance art. Direct competitor for Berlin's Freie Szene independent artists, mid-scale audiences, and the same public cultural funding ETB draws upon.

Broad incumbents

• Schaubühne Berlin: One of Berlin's leading repertory theatres, located in the same city as ETB. Operates at significantly larger scale with multiple performance spaces and international reputation, but competes for the same Berlin cultural funding pool, audiences, and prestige positioning as ETB.
• Battersea Arts Centre: London-based centre for new theatre and performance with a similar mission of supporting emerging artists and presenting innovative work. Operates at larger scale with multiple performance spaces and longer institutional history; comparable in supporting new voices and community-engaged programming.
• Volksbühne Berlin: Historic Berlin theater and major cultural institution with a much larger Rotunde venue (700+ seats), presenting theater, dance, and concerts. Direct competitor for Berlin cultural funding and audience attention, and a benchmark for the city's large-scale publicly funded theater model.
• Deutsches Theater Berlin: Major Berlin repertory theater with multiple stages and a long institutional history. Competes for Berlin cultural funding and audiences; offers repertory programming similar in concept to ETB's seasonal model but at significantly larger scale and with German-language focus.
• Soho Theatre London: London-based theatre known for new writing, comedy, and international programming with a similar mission of presenting diverse work and developing new artists. Operates at significantly larger scale and reach within London's English-language market, serving as a comparable at a higher end.

Direct peers

• English Theatre Frankfurt: English-language theatre company based in Frankfurt, Germany, producing plays, musicals, and concerts in English for the local expat community. Direct peer to ETB - same mission of serving English-speakers in Germany with comparable scale, repertory-style seasonal programming, and youth/educational offerings.
• Gate Theatre London: Small London theatre with comparable scale (around 70 seats) focused on international work and new writing. Closest analog to ETB in terms of venue size, programming philosophy, and audience profile of theater enthusiasts seeking international work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/etberlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/et_berlin
• Xx.com/ET_Berlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/english-theatre-berlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about English Theatre Berlin