What Schouwburg Ogterop does

Schouwburg Ogterop is a municipal performing arts venue headquartered in Meppel, Netherlands, owned and operated by the gemeente Meppel (municipality of Meppel). Founded in 1886, it has functioned as the cultural heart of Meppel for more than 150 years, presenting a broad program of cabaret, theater, music theater, dance, classical music, pop concerts, film, and puppet theater. The venue's main facility at Zuideinde 70 houses a Grote Zaal of approximately 480 seats and an Engelenbak of approximately 112 seats. From February 2026 through approximately 2028, the main building is closed for a major renovation (Vernieuwbouw) designed as a circular construction example project. Operations continue under the 'Ogterop On Tour' program across four alternative venues: De Plataan (theaterkassa and main hub), ME Studio (music theater), Vegafabriek (pop concerts in cooperation with Muziekcoöperatie), and Grote (Maria)Kerk (classical music). The venue also hosts the Puppet International festival, one of the most prestigious puppet and object theater festivals in the Netherlands and Flanders, with approximately 280 performances.

The core product is live cultural programming, with no proprietary technology stack beyond a standard website ticketing and customer management system. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the website (24/7), a temporary box office at De Plataan, phone reservations, and the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART discount channel (50% off, capped at 4 discounted tickets per VIP-KAART per year). Revenue streams include ticket sales (€5.00–€29.50 per ticket, plus €4.50 administration/postal fees and €2.50 cancellation fees), venue rental and technical services for visiting productions, gift cards (Ogterop Cadeaukaart via Cult+ and national Podium Cadeaukaart), and a Theatervriend membership program. The theater also participates in artist development through partnerships with VAKTOR Mastertraject and Garage TDI Vooropleiding, and collaborates with Filmhuis Meppel for film programming during the renovation period.

The business model combines transactional ticket revenue with municipal public funding (as a government-operated cultural institution), ancillary revenue from venue rental and gift cards, and a subscription-style Theatervriend membership. Customer segments include a broad general performing arts audience, loyal Theatervriend members, the Puppet International festival audience, the Filmhuis Meppel audience, and youth/family audiences with special kinderprijs pricing. The theater is a member of VSCD (the Dutch branch association for theaters and concert halls) and participates in industry-wide programs including the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART and the Weet waar je koopt anti-scalping campaign.

Name

Schouwburg Ogterop

Legal name

Schouwburg Ogterop Meppel

Website

https://schouwburgogterop.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Schouwburg Ogterop is a municipality-owned theater in Meppel, Netherlands, presenting cabaret, music, dance, film, and puppet theater for the Drenthe region. Founded in 1886, it operates across four alternative venues during its 2026-2028 renovation as 'Ogterop On Tour'.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Puppetry & Marionette Theatre (MPAGABAK), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Cabarets & Variety Nightlife (MPAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Theater programming
• Live entertainment
• Cultural events
• Ticket sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Meppel

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: The primary revenue stream is ticket sales for theater performances, concerts, cabaret, film (Filmhuis Meppel), and Puppet International festival programming. Tickets are sold online and at the box office, with pricing ranging from €5 (seizoensopening) to €29.50 (premium performances). A €4.50 administration/postal fee applies for physical ticket delivery. Cancellation/change fees of €2.50 per ticket are charged.
2. Venue rental and technical services: The theater rents out its spaces (Grote Zaal, Engelenbak) and provides technical support to visiting productions and companies. The venue also hosts external events including corporate events, workshops, and education programs. Technical contacts include André Posthuma (head of technology).
3. Ogterop Cadeaukaart & Podium Cadeaukaart: Sale of gift cards (Ogterop Cadeaukaart in partnership with Cult+) and national Podium Cadeaukaarten. These are sold at the box office and online.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Schouwburg Ogterop is a historic theater and cultural venue in Meppel, Netherlands, hosting live performances including cabaret, theater, music, dance, classical music, film screenings, and the international Puppet International puppet and object theater festival. The venue sells tickets directly to consumers via its website, box office, and telephone, and offers gift cards and a Theatervriend membership program. During a major renovation through 2028, the venue operates as 'Ogterop On Tour' across multiple alternative locations in Meppel.

Product overview

Schouwburg Ogterop is a theater and cultural venue in Meppel, Netherlands, serving as the cultural heart of the city for over 150 years. The company offers a platform of theater and performing arts services including live performances (cabaret, music theater, theater, dance, classical music), a film programming arm (Filmhuis Meppel), and an international puppet theater festival (Puppet International). During its major renovation (Vernieuwbouw) through 2028, the company operates as 'Ogterop On Tour' across multiple venue locations including De Plataan (main hub and box office), Vegafabriek (pop concerts), ME Studio (music theater), and Grote (Maria)Kerk (classical music). Additional services include ticket sales (online, telephone, and box office), gift cards (Ogterop Cadeaukaart via Cult+), and a membership program (Theatervriend). The company also runs Vaktor, a master trajectory program for artistic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theatervoorstellingen (Theater Performances) Live performances including cabaret, music theater, theater, dance, and classical music presented at various venues, targeting performing arts audiences in the Drenthe region.
• Ogterop On Tour Theater season 2026-2027 and beyond featuring performances at various cultural locations in Meppel (De Plataan, ME Studio, Vegafabriek, Grote Maria Kerk) during the renovation of the main theater building.
• Puppet International Festival International puppet and object theater festival held in Meppel featuring approximately 280 performances for young and old audiences, including workshops and film collaborations.
• Filmhuis Meppel Film programming presented at De Plataan during the theater renovation, featuring various film genres including drama, comedy, and adaptations including award-winning international art house films.
• Kaartverkoop (Ticket Sales) Ticket sales via online platform (24/7), telephone reservation, and box office at De Plataan location, with e-tickets by email and maximum 10 tickets per performance.
• Ogterop Cadeaukaart Gift card service available in collaboration with Cult+ for theater performances across all Ogterop On Tour locations, sold online and at the box office.
• Theatervriend Membership Annual membership program for loyal supporters offering benefits such as waiver of the €2.50 cancellation fee per ticket and access to the season brochure.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Filmhuis MeppelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilmhuis Meppel programs and curates film screenings at De Plataan during Ogterop's renovation period. Films shown include international art house and award-winning films. Also collaborates on Puppet International festival programming.
• Puppet International FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuppet International is one of the most important and prestigious puppet and object theater festivals in the Netherlands and Flanders, hosted at Schouwburg Ogterop (De Plataan and other locations). The festival features approximately 280 performances. Ogterop hosts the festival as part of its programming.
• De VegafabriekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Vegafabriek (former cheese factory in Kolderveen, Nijeveen) is a pop venue used for Ogterop On Tour coproductions. Presented together with Muziekcoöperatie. Serves as the music/pop concert venue during the renovation.
• MuziekcoöperatieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic cooperative that co-presents pop concerts at De Vegafabriek as part of the Muziek in Meppel initiative and Ogterop On Tour.
• Cult+minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCult+ provides the platform for Ogterop Cadeaukaart sales. The Ogterop Cadeaukaart is issued in partnership with Cult+ and is also available at the Ogterop box office.
• VriendenLoterijminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVriendenLoterij VIP-KAART holders receive 50% discount on Ogterop On Tour tickets through an online validation system on the Ogterop website. The partnership is coordinated through the VSCD (branch organization).
• VSCD (Vereniging Schouwburg- en Concertgebouw Directies)minorOthersSchouwburg Ogterop is a member of VSCD, the Dutch branch association for theaters and concert halls. The VSCD coordinates the VriendenLoterij partnership for member theaters. Ogterop uses VSCD's Algemene Bezoekersvoorwaarden (general visitor conditions).
• VAKTOR (Mastertraject)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAKTOR is a mastertraject providing professional makers space to deepen their artistic practice. Schouwburg Ogterop supports Niels van der Steen (VAKTOR artist) with network, knowledge, and expertise in technique, production, and marketing for one year.
• Garage TDI Vooropleiding (Drenthe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarage TDI Vooropleiding is a multi-year partnership where young actors are trained by professionals in all facets of puppet and object theater. Performances are shown at Puppet International.
• Blink KunstcollectiefminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating collective in the Seizoensopening (season opening) event of Ogterop On Tour 2026/2027, contributing to the cultural programming of the opening event.
• CMV De BazuinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal music corps participating in the Seizoensopening (season opening) event of Ogterop On Tour 2026/2027.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DeLaMar Theater: Larger Amsterdam venue focused on cabaret, musicals, and theater. Comparable as a Dutch cabaret and theater venue, though operating at significantly larger scale and serving a national audience.
• Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA): Major Dutch producing theater company and venue in Amsterdam. Comparable as a Dutch theater operator producing and presenting stage productions, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Theater Carré Amsterdam: Historic Amsterdam theater hosting cabaret, music, dance, and musicals. Comparable as a long-established Dutch performing arts venue, though at a much larger scale and with broader national/international appeal.

Direct peers

• Chassé Theater Breda: Multi-venue theater and cultural complex in Breda offering cabaret, music theater, dance, and youth programming. Directly comparable as a Dutch municipal theater with similar programming breadth and venue-operations model.
• Stadsschouwburg Utrecht: Utrecht's municipal theater presenting theater, dance, music, and cabaret. Comparable as a Dutch city theater with a similar programming mix and audience-development focus.
• Parktheater Eindhoven: Dutch municipal theater in Eindhoven programming cabaret, theater, music, and family performances. Comparable as a similarly sized city theater with diverse programming and direct-to-consumer ticketing.
• Stadsschouwburg Groningen: Regional Dutch municipal theater in Groningen with comparable multi-venue performing arts programming (cabaret, theater, music, dance). Directly comparable as a mid-sized Dutch city theater serving a similar Drenthe/Northern Netherlands catchment.
• Theater De Veste Delft: Delft municipal theater offering cabaret, theater, dance, music, and youth programming. Comparable as a Dutch city-level theater with similar size and programming philosophy.

Others

• VSCD (Vereniging Schouwburg- en Concertgebouw Directies): Dutch industry association for theaters and concert halls; Schouwburg Ogterop is a member and coordinates VriendenLoterij partnership through this body. Comparable as the sector's governing trade association.

Emerging players

• Filmhuis Amsterdam: Art-house cinema in Amsterdam programming curated films including festival and award-winning titles. Comparable to Filmhuis Meppel programming partnership hosted by Schouwburg Ogterop.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/schouwburg.ogterop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schouwburg-ogterop-meppel
• Instagraminstagram.com/schouwburgogterop
• Xx.com/Ogterop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Schouwburg Ogterop