Mestské Divadlo Žilina

What Mestské Divadlo Žilina does

Mestské Divadlo Žilina is a municipally owned and funded theatre in Žilina, Slovakia, currently in its 33rd season (2024/25). It stages contemporary dramatic works and unconventional interpretations of classical repertoire, and operates multiple physical spaces within its Horný val 3 headquarters: the Veľká sála (Great Hall), Štúdio, and, since February 2024, the Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry, a daily reading room dedicated to contemporary literature and publisher/author events. Its technology stack is conventional for a small regional venue — a website-based ticketing system (divadlozilina.eu) that issues QR-coded online tickets, supplemented by third-party platforms (Slevomat.cz, TootooT, Dramox) for distribution and content licensing.

The theatre generates revenue from a mix of ticket sales (one-time purchases, VAT-exempt under Slovak law, with day-of-performance premium pricing and tiered discounts for students, seniors, disabled patrons, and groups of 6+), venue rental to external producers, credit-based gift vouchers in €10–€50 denominations, and voluntary donations at the Čitáreň space. It is a public cultural institution under the City of Žilina rather than a commercial enterprise; financial figures are not publicly disclosed. The ensemble is led by director Michal Vidan. Recent strategic activity has centered on (i) building a publisher/independent-theatre ecosystem around Čitáreň and the 'Podporme spolu' minifestival, and (ii) experimenting with AI-authored dramatic content ('Tretia verzia pravdy,' November 2024).

Name

Mestské Divadlo Žilina

Legal name

Mestské divadlo Žilina

Website

https://divadlozilina.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mestské Divadlo Žilina is a municipally funded Slovak regional theatre in Žilina that stages contemporary plays and unconventional interpretations of classics, and since 2024 also operates the Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry literary space, serving the Žilina public through ticket sales, venue rental, and literary programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theater and Performing Arts

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

Keywords

• Live theatrical performances
• Repertoire theater programming
• Contemporary drama productions
• Venue rental services
• Literary events and readings

Headquarters

HQ city

Zilina

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 the sale of tickets to theatrical performances and other events. Tickets are sold online and at the box office. Tickets are VAT-exempt under Slovak VAT law. Prices are higher on the day of performance than for advance/pre-sale.
2. Venue Rental: The theatre rents out its facilities (spaces) to external organisations and individuals, generating rental income.
3. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers (darčekové poukážky) sold in denominations of €10, €20, €30, and €50, functioning on a credit system and usable for all events sold by the theatre.
4. Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry – Entry Donations: The Čitáreň reading room operates with free entry but accepts voluntary donations via optional tickets, supporting the literary programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mestské Divadlo Žilina is a municipally funded repertory theater that produces and stages contemporary plays and unconventional interpretations of classical works across multiple on-site venues, while also operating Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry, a literary reading room hosting author events, readings, and publisher presentations. Ancillary paid services include online ticket sales, gift vouchers, and rental of venue spaces (Veľká sála, Štúdio) to external organizations and event producers.

Product overview

Mestské divadlo Žilina is a civic theater offering a diverse repertoire of theatrical performances, contemporary literature programming, and venue services. The core offering includes in-house productions and guest performances across multiple venues (Veľká sála, Štúdio). The theater operates Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry as a dedicated literary space, and provides services including online ticketing, gift vouchers, and venue rentals. The theater is known for daring dramaturgy focused on contemporary texts and unconventional interpretations of classics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry: A reading room and space for contemporary literature opened in February 2024, featuring literary events, author presentations, and discussions with publishers.

Products and services

• Online Ticket Sales Digital ticketing service enabling customers to purchase tickets to theatrical performances and events online, with QR code issuance for entry validation at the venue.
• Gift Vouchers (Darčeková poukážka) Credit-based gift vouchers sold in €10, €20, €30, and €50 denominations, usable across all events sold by the theater.
• Venue Rental Rental of theater spaces including the Veľká sála (Great Hall) and Štúdio to external organizations, companies, and event producers for performances and events.
• Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry (Contemporary Literature Reading Room) Dedicated literary space featuring contemporary Slovak and world literature, literary magazines, publisher presentations, author meetings, and staged readings. Open weekdays during theater season with freemium/voluntary-donation entry.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Angles Morts (Independent Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026Angles Morts, an independent theatre group, performed Som iba prízrak at MD Žilina as a guest production addressing queer identity and personal narrative topics.
• Odivo (Nezávislé divadelné zoskupenie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Odivo, an independent theatre group founded in 2014, performed O vlkovi, ktorý vypadol z knižky at MD Žilina as part of the 'Podporme spolu' minifestival supporting independent theatres.
• Jedným dychom (Independent Performative Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026Jedným dychom, an independent performative group, performed Blaho at MD Žilina as part of the 'Podporme spolu' minifestival supporting independent theatres not funded by FPU.
• Divadlo KontracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026Divadlo Kontra, an independent theatre from Spišská Nová Ves, performed its award-winning Hamlet at MD Žilina as part of the 'Podporme spolu' minifestival supporting independent Slovak theatres that were not funded by FPU. The two theatres share audiences and touring arrangements.
• Dogma Divadlo (formerly Divadlo Kolomaž)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Dogma Divadlo, an independent theatre from Trenčín, performed Doba dedova I. at MD Žilina as part of the 'Podporme spolu' minifestival supporting independent theatres not funded by FPU.
• Daniel MilominorOthers · 13 September 2024Hybrid threats, extremism and disinformation expert who participated as a discussant after a performance of Manifest, addressing topics of radicalisation and manipulation on social networks.
• Martin KrálovičminorOthers · 13 September 2024Crowd and event safety management expert who participated as a discussant after a performance of Manifest, addressing security topics related to the production.
• Bábkové divadlo Žilina (Puppet Theatre Žilina)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2024Local theatre partnership for joint events; Bábková Žilina is another theatre institution in Žilina.
• KK Bagala (Vydavateľstvo KK Bagala)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2024KK Bagala is a key publishing partner for the Čitáreň súčasnej literatúry reading room programme. The publisher collaborates with the theatre on literary events, author presentations, and readings. Koloman Kertész Bagala regularly participates in discussions and events at the Čitáreň. The partnership also includes donation of books and author events.
• Publishing Partners (KK Bagala, Absynt, BraK, Npress, Artforum, Aspekt, Drewo a srd, Literárna bašta, Modrý Peter)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2024Multiple independent Slovak publishers collaborate with the Čitáreň reading room, providing books, literary magazines (Vertigo, Vlna, Fraktál, Knižná Revue, Romboid, Litikon, Glosolália), and participating in literary events and author presentations.
• AUPARK Žilina SC a.s.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2022Mutual cooperation agreement between MD Žilina and AUPARK shopping centre, amount €600.
• Dramox s.r.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 April 2022Licensing agreement (Licenčná zmluva) with Dramox for distribution of theatrical content.
• Slevomat.cz s.r.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 April 2022Contract for use of the Slevomat.cz commercial platform for open tickets (otvorená vstupenka). The theatre pays a commission for use of this ticketing resale/distribution platform.
• TootooT s.r.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 April 2022Theatre uses the TootooT network (1% commission) as a ticketing channel for audience reach.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Slovenské národné divadlo: The Slovak National Theatre is the country's flagship performing arts institution with multiple venues in Bratislava. While much larger and state-funded, it competes for the same Slovak theatregoing audience and shares repertory drama programming with MD Žilina.

Direct peers

• Štátne divadlo Košice: The State Theatre Košice is a multi-ensemble regional theatre offering opera, ballet, and drama. It serves as a directly comparable state-funded regional theatre operating in an eastern Slovak regional centre with a similar municipal cultural mandate.
• Divadlo Andreja Bagara v Nitre: A regional repertory theatre in Nitra of similar size and operational model, staging both contemporary and classical plays, with its own ensemble and venue. Most directly comparable in scale, mission, and target audience to MD Žilina.
• Divadlo Kontra: An independent Slovak theatre from Spišská Nová Ves that has performed at MD Žilina as a guest ensemble. Shares the contemporary, minimalist interpretation approach and serves as a touring/hosting peer within the Slovak independent theatre ecosystem.
• Divadlo Aréna: An independent repertory theatre in Bratislava offering contemporary drama and innovative interpretations. Shares the contemporary, unconventional programming identity that distinguishes MD Žilina, though it operates at a larger scale in the capital.
• Divadlo Astorka Korzo '90: A long-established independent Slovak theatre in Bratislava focused on contemporary drama and classical reinterpretations. Comparable in dramaturgical identity (contemporary focus, unconventional classics) and direct-to-consumer ticketing approach.
• Divadlo Jozefa Gregora Tajovského: A regional repertory theatre in Banská Bystrica, similarly municipally funded and focused on dramatic repertoire. Comparable in scale, audience profile, and the role it plays as a cultural anchor for its regional city.

Regional players

• Divadlo Husa na provázku: A historic repertory theatre in Brno with a strong contemporary and experimental programming identity. Comparable as a Central European regional theatre with a similar balance of classical and contemporary repertoire.
• HaDivadlo: A repertory theatre in Brno, Czech Republic, known for contemporary dramaturgy and unconventional interpretations. Operates across the border in a comparable Central European regional market with similar artistic mission.
• Národní divadlo moravskoslezské: A multi-ensemble regional theatre in Ostrava offering drama, opera, and ballet. Comparable as a publicly funded Central European regional theatre serving a similar urban population and operating a similar repertory and venue-rental model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mestskedivadlozilina5625
• Facebookfacebook.com/divadlozilina
• Instagraminstagram.com/mestskedivadlozilina/?hl=sk
• Xx.com/mestskedivadlo

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 Mestské Divadlo Žilina