Theater Kosmos

What Theater Kosmos does

Theater Kosmos (legal entity: Verein Theater KOSMOS, registered Austrian association ZVR 799124611) is a nonprofit independent contemporary theater founded in 1996 by Hubert Dragaschnig and Augustin Jagg and located since 2005 at Mariahilfstraße 29 in the Schöller Areal, Bregenz, Vorarlberg, Austria. The organization operates three performance spaces — a large hall (up to 166 seats), a foyer stage (40-60 seats), and a studio/blackbox (up to 40 seats) — and positions itself as Vorarlberg's most important venue for high-quality contemporary independent theater. Programming spans in-house productions, guest performances, concerts, literature events, children's theater under the KOSMOLINO sub-brand, emerging-artist development under KOSMODROM (directed since 2023 by Michaela Vogel), and a discourse series (KOSMOS Diskurse).

The revenue model is event-driven and ticket-centric, supplemented by membership (Klub KOSMOS, launched February 2024 with tiers from €40 individual to €500 patron), venue rental, the KOSMOS U30 pass (€30/year), and gift vouchers; distribution runs through the on-site box office (cash only), online Print@Home booking, telephone reservations, and partner outlets at Bregenz Tourismus and Stadtmarketing. The theater is publicly co-funded by Land Vorarlberg, the Stadt Bregenz, and the Austrian federal ministry (BMKÖS), and sponsored by Raiffeisen, Rhomberg Bau, Bregenzer Weinkellerei, VKW, and Studio17 Bregenz, among others. Theater Kosmos initiated the Theaterallianz in 2013, a coalition of seven Austrian independent theaters that runs an annual author prize (one of the highest-endowed for young German-language dramatists) and enables co-productions and national touring of winning plays; in 2025 the alliance's Siegerstück "under the influence" was a four-theater co-production premiering at the Bregenzer Festspiele. The organization also coordinates the "Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur" initiative in Vorarlberg (since 2008), part of a nationwide network providing free cultural access via the Kulturpass at over 1,250 Austrian venues. A planned leadership transition will see Josef Maria Krasanovsky assume artistic direction in 2027, succeeding the founders.

No revenue, headcount, or operating margin figures are publicly disclosed; AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology, APIs, mobile applications, patents, and trademarks are not in evidence. The organization's go-to-market is relationship-driven and locally anchored, with no private-equity, venture-capital, or parent-company ownership, and operations remain concentrated in the Vorarlberg region despite national reach through the Theaterallianz.

Name

Theater Kosmos

Legal name

Verein Theater KOSMOS

Website

https://theaterkosmos.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Theater Kosmos is a nonprofit contemporary independent theater in Bregenz, Austria, serving regional audiences with year-round in-house productions, guest performances, children's theater (KOSMOLINO), emerging-artist development (KOSMODROM), and literary and discourse events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

Keywords

• Contemporary theater performances
• Independent performing arts
• Children's theater programming
• Dramatic arts development
• Venue rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bregenz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for in-house productions, guest performances, concerts, literature events, and children's theater (KOSMOLINO). Tickets sold online (Print@Home), at the box office, and via telephone reservation. Pricing includes full-price and discounted categories for under-26s, seniors, and Kulturpass holders.
2. Membership (Klub KOSMOS): Annual membership program offering benefits including advance purchase rights, discounted tickets, free friend tickets, complimentary program booklets, and exclusive events. Tiers: Individual (€40), Couple (€60), Supporter/Förder:in (€150), Patron/Gönner:in (€500).
3. Venue rental: The theater rents out its spaces (large hall/seats 166, foyer/seats 40-60, studio/seats 40) to external cultural organizers for events. Inquiries handled by commercial management. Revenue is ancillary and event-driven.
4. Gift vouchers and U30 pass: Gift vouchers (starting at €50) valid for all Theater Kosmos events. KOSMOS U30 annual pass (€30/year) provides access to all events for persons up to age 30. Both products extend audience reach and generate upfront cash flow.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Theater Kosmos is a contemporary independent theater venue that produces and presents a year-round program of contemporary drama, dance, music, literature events, children's theater (KOSMOLINO), and societal discourse (KOSMOS Diskurse) across three performance spaces in Bregenz, Austria. It also runs the KOSMODROM talent-development program for emerging playwrights and directors, sells tickets and memberships, and rents its spaces to external cultural organizers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KOSMOLINO: Children's theater program offering performances for children ages 1.5 to approximately 10 years, featuring 3-4 guest performances.
• KOSMODROM
• KOSMOS Diskurse
• Klub KOSMOS

Products and services

• Under the Influence (UA) World premiere production — Theaterallianz 2025 winning play 'under the influence' by Natalie Baudy, co-produced with Bregenzer Festspiele and partner theaters, about three women from three generations dealing with dependencies and the search for a depatriarchalized intoxication. Targeted at adult theater audiences.
• Halten, Bleiben, Leben (UA) World premiere production of 'Halten, Bleiben, Leben' by Bernhard Studlar, directed at Theater KOSMOS in February 2026. A poetic drama about proximity, time, and the fragility of shared history. Targeted at adult theater audiences.
• Kleine Eheverbrechen New production of 'Kleine Eheverbrechen' (Small Marriage Crimes) by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, translated by Annette & Paul Bäcker, directed by Michaela Vogel at Theater KOSMOS in May 2026. Targeted at adult theater audiences.
• Macbeth (John von Düffel adaptation)

Quantifiable outcome

• Theaterallianz author prize is among the highest-endowed awards for young dramatists in the German-speaking world.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Theaterallianz (7 Austrian independent theaters)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Theater Kosmos initiated the Theaterallianz in 2013, a coalition of seven Austrian independent theaters of established quality and regional significance. Members: Theater KOSMOS (Bregenz), Schauspielhaus Wien, Grazer Theater am Lend, klagenfurter ensemble, Theater Phönix Linz, Schauspielhaus Salzburg, and Theater praesent Innsbruck. The alliance enables exchange of selected contemporary drama productions, runs an annual author competition (one of the highest-endowed for young German-language dramatists), and facilitates co-productions. The winning works are premiered at partner theaters and subsequently toured.
• Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur (Schauspielhaus Wien / Armutskonferenz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008The 'Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur' initiative was launched in 2003 by Schauspielhaus Wien and the Armutskonferenz. Theater KOSMOS introduced the program to Vorarlberg in 2008. It provides a Kulturpass enabling people in precarious financial situations free entry to over 1,250 cultural venues across Austria, including Theater KOSMOS. Theater KOSMOS staff member Petra Thurnher coordinates the Kulturpass program in Vorarlberg.
• Franz-Michael-Felder-Archiv der Vorarlberger LandesbibliothekmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater KOSMOS collaborates closely with the Franz-Michael-Felder-Archiv of the Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek on literary events, including book presentations, readings, and author conversations. The partnership brings authors and audiences together in the theater setting and co-organizes events such as Norbert Gstrein's book presentation (March 2026) and Robert Menasse's reading (September 2026).
• EUROPE DIRECT Vorarlberg / Abteilung Europaangelegenheiten und Außenbeziehungen (PrsE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organized the reading by Robert Menasse ('Die Lebensentscheidung') in September 2026, with discussion involving Wolfgang Burtscher (former Director-General, European Commission). The event is part of public outreach on European affairs.
• Bregenzer FestspielecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBregenzer Festspiele is a major co-production partner. Notably, the Theaterallianz winning play 'under the influence' (2025) premiered in the framework of the Bregenzer Festspiele. The Macbeth co-production with Das Theater an der Effingerstraße also reflects inter-regional festival and theater collaborations.
• Vorarlberger Armutskonferenz and ÖGB Vorarlberg Bildungsabteilung (VÖGB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheater KOSMOS partners with the Vorarlberger Armutskonferenz and the educational department of ÖGB Vorarlberg (VÖGB) for the KOSMOS Diskurse series, which presents lectures and discussions on societal, social, and political topics. After each lecture, Michael Diettrich of the Vorarlberger Armutskonferenz moderates a dialogue between speaker and audience.
• Rhomberg BauminorOthersSponsor of Theater KOSMOS. Listed among partners and sponsors on the theater's website.
• Bregenzer WeinkellereiminorOthersSponsor of Theater KOSMOS. Listed among partners and sponsors on the theater's website.
• Vorarlberger Landeshauptstadt Bregenz (Stadt Bregenz)minorOthersMunicipal cultural funding partner. Listed among partners and sponsors on the theater's website. Also a partner in the aktionstheater ensemble guest performance 'HUMAN – Ich bin Mensch'.
• Land VorarlbergminorOthersRegional government cultural funding body. Listed among partners and sponsors on the theater's website.
• Raiffeisenbank (Kultur Foerderung)minorOthersCultural sponsorship by Raiffeisenbank, listed among sponsors. Also the bank used for Klub KOSMOS membership payments (IBAN provided on the Klub page).
• VKW (Vorarlberger Kraftwerke)minorOthersSponsor of Theater KOSMOS, listed among partners and sponsors on the theater's website.
• Studio17 BregenzminorOthersSponsor of Theater KOSMOS, listed among partners and sponsors on the theater's website.
• Ahoi-Atelier für Gestaltung, Lenz Steinmetz GmbH, Winkler Steinmetz, Jochum DruckminorOthersLocal Vorarlberg companies that collaborated on the 'Betongold' solidarity project organized by Klub KOSMOS for the 'Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur' initiative. These companies provided materials and services for the production of Betongold (concrete coaster artworks made from demolished Benko/Signa buildings) sold as fundraiser.
• Camerata Musica RenominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusical ensemble that stages a semi-staged production of Mozart's 'Così fan tutte' at Theater KOSMOS (July 2026). The partnership brings classical music programming to the theater and audiences to the ensemble.
• Develop Dance Connection (Bregenzer Sportverein zur Förderung der Tanzkunst)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBregenz-based dance sport club presenting its annual showcase 'Proud Moments – Time to Celebrate' at Theater KOSMOS, featuring award-winning choreographies from the 2025/2026 competition season.
• Bregenzer Frühling (Kulturservice der Landeshauptstadt Bregenz)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-producer of the aktionstheater ensemble guest performance 'HUMAN – Ich bin Mensch'. The Bregenzer Frühling is a municipal cultural event series.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Theater praesent: Innsbruck-based independent theater and Theaterallianz member. Comparable scale and contemporary German-language programming to Theater KOSMOS.
• Grazer Theater am Lend: Graz independent theater and Theaterallianz member. Comparable in operating model, contemporary repertoire, and regional significance; produces and tours plays within the alliance.
• Schauspielhaus Wien: Vienna-based independent theater and co-initiator of the 'Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur' program. Direct Theaterallianz partner with Theater KOSMOS, comparable in scale and contemporary programming focus.
• klagenfurter ensemble: Klagenfurt-based independent theater company and Theaterallianz member. Co-produces Theaterallianz premieres and exchanges contemporary dramatic works with Theater KOSMOS.
• Theater Phönix Linz: Linz independent theater and Theaterallianz member. Similar small-to-mid scale operation focused on contemporary and new drama, comparable artistic profile to Theater KOSMOS.
• Schauspielhaus Salzburg: Salzburg independent theater and Theaterallianz member. Co-produces Theaterallianz winning plays with Theater KOSMOS, including the 2025 prize winner 'under the influence'.
• aktionstheater ensemble: Independent Austrian theater company co-producing the guest performance 'HUMAN – Ich bin Mensch' with Theater KOSMOS. Comparable in producing provocative, sociopolitically engaged contemporary work.
• Das Theater an der Effingerstraße: Bern-based German-language independent theater collaborating with Theater KOSMOS on a Macbeth co-production. Comparable independent, contemporary programming model in the DACH region.

Broad incumbents

• Volkstheater Wien: Larger established Viennese theater with a broader repertoire. Operates in the same Austrian independent/contemporary space as Theater KOSMOS but at significantly greater scale and capacity.
• Bregenzer Festspiele: Major international opera and music festival headquartered in Bregenz. Co-produces Theaterallianz premieres with Theater KOSMOS and dominates regional cultural sponsorship and audience attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theaterkosmos
• Instagraminstagram.com/theaterkosmos

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 Theater Kosmos