Theater im Bahnhof

What Theater im Bahnhof does

Theater im Bahnhof (TiB) is an independent performing arts organization founded in 1989 in Graz, Austria, specializing in improvisation theater and contemporary experimental performance. The company operates from its headquarters at Elisabethinergasse 27A in Graz and maintains a core ensemble of approximately 12 performers supported by technicians, rotating musicians, and production staff, with nine employees listed as core staff. TiB's signature production, "Montag" (Monday), has run continuously since 1996 as a weekly improvised show, marking 30 years of continuous operation and making it one of the longest-running improv formats in the German-speaking world. The company produces a portfolio of formats including the English-language "Game of Death" solo show by Jacob Banigan (running monthly since 2012), the improvised anthology series "Series Junkies," the serialized satirical format "GAS TONI," the bilingual neo-kabarettistische miniseries "1000 Euro und eine Nacht" by Zaid Alsalame, and politically engaged works such as "183 Abgeordnete" and the forthcoming "2073: Die neue Kolonie."

TiB's core capability is ensemble-driven live improvisation and devised theatrical creation, with no script or pre-planned storyline for signature formats — performers create theater spontaneously from audience prompts. The company employs a multi-format technology architecture spanning live performance, multilingual programming (German, English, and Arabic/German bilingual), and digital distribution via Zoom (notably for the "Series Junkies International Edition" launched in December 2020) with archives on Vimeo and YouTube. TiB holds an archive of productions dating to 1989, a portfolio that functions as reusable intellectual property across formats (GAS TONI, Series Junkies, Game of Death, Theater Miniseries), and it co-develops speculative and politically engaged works with major Austrian cultural institutions. In 2025, TiB received the Austrian Art Prize for Performing Arts from the Federal Ministry, validating sustained institutional and artistic recognition.

The business model rests on three primary revenue streams. Ticket sales for TiB's own productions range from €15–€22 per ticket with a group rate of €14 per person and a block-of-10 subscription at €140 for the Montag show, distributed through TiB's cash-only box office, the Entrello online ticketing platform, and partner systems (buehnen-graz.com for Schauspielhaus co-productions, Eventjet for festival performances). Institutional public funding from Stadt Graz, Land Steiermark, the Bundesministerium, and Stadt Graz Jugend forms the financial backbone of operations. Co-production and guest performance fees are generated through partnerships with Schauspielhaus Graz, steirischer herbst, Volkskundemuseum Graz, Volkstheater Wien, brut Wien, and numerous festivals. Customer segments are primarily general public audiences interested in experimental and politically engaged theater, with co-production partners functioning as institutional customers for major productions.

Name

Theater im Bahnhof

Legal name

Theater im Bahnhof

Website

https://theater-im-bahnhof.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Theater im Bahnhof is an independent Graz-based theater company founded in 1989, specializing in live improvisation and contemporary experimental performance for general audiences across Austria and international festival circuits, funded through ticket sales and Austrian public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Live Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

akta.pro primary industry

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Improv Comedy Performances (MPAGACAB), Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)

Keywords

• Live theater performances
• Improvisational theater
• Experimental performing arts
• Audience-interactive shows
• Theater co-productions

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: TiB generates revenue primarily from ticket sales for its own productions and co-productions. Tickets are sold online via Entrello (for TiB events) and via partner ticketing platforms (e.g., buehnen-graz.com for Schauspielhaus co-productions, Eventjet for festival guest performances). Box office accepts cash only. Group discounts, block-of-10 subscriptions, and reduced prices for students, seniors, and unemployed are available.
2. Voucher Sales: TiB sells gift vouchers online through the Entrello platform, providing a pre-paid ticket product for gifting purposes.
3. Public Funding and Grants: TiB receives core institutional funding from public bodies: Stadt Graz (city of Graz), Land Steiermark (State of Styria), Bundesministerium (Federal Ministry), and Stadt Graz Jugend (youth department). These government grants form the financial backbone of operations.
4. Co-production and Guest Performance Fees: TiB engages in co-productions with partner institutions (Schauspielhaus Graz, steirischer herbst, Theater an der Gumpendorfer Strasse Wien, brut Wien, Volkskundemuseum Graz, etc.) and generates revenue through guest performance fees when its productions tour to external venues and festivals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Theater im Bahnhof (TiB) produces and performs live theatrical productions centered on improvisation, ensemble-led co-creation, and politically engaged contemporary performance. The company runs a weekly improv show (Montag) that has run continuously since 1996, alongside a roster of co-produced theater miniseries, scripted productions, English-language improv shows, and serialized comedic formats, staging them at its own QUARTIER venue in Graz, partner theaters, and Austrian and international festivals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Montag Long-running weekly improvised theater show running continuously since 1996, featuring ensemble performers creating spontaneous theater from audience suggestions, with rotating live musicians. Open to general audiences seeking unpredictable live entertainment.
• Game of Death Monthly improv solo performance by Jacob Banigan in English, featuring audience interaction through fortune-telling cards and the 'Egg Timer of Death'. Sold out monthly since launch. Targeted at international and English-speaking audiences; toured internationally.
• 1000 Euro und eine Nacht Six-part neo-kabarettistische theater miniseries by Zaid Alsalame examining value, origin, shame, and cultural attribution between Iraq and Austria, using autobiographical storytelling, stand-up comedy, and audience interaction. Premiered at steirischer herbst-kabarett 2025. Targeted at adult audiences interested in contemporary cultural and identity-themed theater.
• 2073: Die neue Kolonie Speculative farce examining dystopian and utopian future scenarios, written by Helene Thümmel in collaboration with the ensemble. Co-produced with Volkskundemuseum Graz with performances staged in the museum's Trachtensaal. Targeted at audiences interested in speculative and political theater.
• 183 Abgeordnete Theatrical examination of Austrian parliamentary politics using original quotes from National Council speeches, following the model of Karl Kraus's 'The Last Days of Mankind'. Co-produced with Schauspielhaus Graz. Targeted at politically engaged Austrian audiences.
• Die Recherche-Show Investigative theater production in collaboration with Volkstheater Wien and DOSSIER, combining journalism and entertainment to examine topics such as the Red Bull empire. Targeted at adult audiences interested in investigative and journalistic theater formats.
• Die Serienjunkies Improvised anthology series where performers create an entire TV series in one evening, including seasons 'Unheimlich' and 'Weißbach' and international English edition 'Haunted' / 'Series Junkies International'. Targeted at audiences interested in serialized improvised drama.
• GAS TONI Serialized improvised comedy series following the fictional company Gas Toni through episodes addressing contemporary social and political themes. Targeted at audiences interested in topical improvised comedy.
• TiB Tickets & Box Office Service Ticket sales and reservation services through multiple platforms including Entrello (online), Eventjet, and at-the-door cash payments, with discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Also sells pre-paid gift vouchers online. Targeted at individual ticket buyers and gifting customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Montag improv show has run continuously for 30 years with no signs of declining audience interest.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stadt Graz (Stadt Graz Kulturamt)coreOthersStadt Graz is a primary public funder of TiB through its culture department (Kulturamt). Provides operational funding support for the theater's programming.
• Land SteiermarkcoreOthersThe State of Styria provides institutional funding to TiB as a key cultural institution in the region.
• Bundesministerium (Federal Ministry)coreOthersThe Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport provides national-level funding support to TiB. Also awarded TiB the Austrian Art Prize for Performing Arts 2025.
• Stadt Graz JugendminorOthersThe youth department of the City of Graz provides targeted youth-focused funding support to TiB.
• Schauspielhaus GrazcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchauspielhaus Graz is a key co-production partner of TiB. Productions like '183 Abgeordnete' are co-produced and presented at Schauspielhaus Graz. Ticketing for these co-productions is managed via the buehnen-graz.com platform.
• steirischer herbstcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnersteirischer herbst is Styria's premier contemporary arts festival and a long-standing partner of TiB. TiB has produced multiple works for the festival, including premieres of '1000 Euro und eine Nacht' Episode I and '2073: Die neue Kolonie' text development.
• Volkskundemuseum Graz (Museum Joanneum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolkskundemuseum am Paulustor is the co-production partner for '2073: Die neue Kolonie'. The Trachtensaal of the museum serves as the performance venue for this production.
• Club Ö1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerClub Ö1 is the Ö1 (Austrian cultural radio) supporters' club. Ö1 Club members receive reduced ticket prices at TiB, creating a cross-promotional relationship.
• Orpheum Graz (Grazer Spielstätten)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrpheum Graz is a major venue partner, regularly hosting TiB's Montag improv show. The venue operates its own box office and ticketing system (spielstaetten.buehnen-graz.com) for Montag tickets.
• brut WienminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerbrut Wien is a partner venue and co-production space for contemporary performing arts in Vienna. Listed as a TiB partner for potential co-productions and guest performances.
• Theater an der Gumpendorfer Strasse (das TAG) WienminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner venue for TiB guest performances or co-productions in Vienna.
• Kooperationshaus Wien (BRUT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation venue in Vienna for contemporary performing arts, co-located with BRUT Wien.
• Kristallwerk – Das andere TheaterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative theater venue in Graz (Viktor-Franz-Straße 9). Listed as a TiB partner for performances or co-productions in the Graz region.
• Kunsthalle GrazminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKunsthalle Graz is listed as a TiB partner, suggesting potential for cross-disciplinary performances or co-productions.
• Das Planetenparty PrinzipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a TiB partner. Co-producer of 'ERBEN - WER KRIEGT DAS HAUS' (with steirischer herbst and Listhalle).
• kumaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a TiB partner organization, suggesting a collaborative relationship in the Austrian theater/arts ecosystem.
• ENTRELLOcoreTechnology or IntegrationENTRELLO (shop.entrello.app/tib/) is TiB's online ticketing and voucher sales platform. Handles all ticket reservations for TiB's own productions.
• Various International Festival VenuesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGame of Death has toured to Vienna, London (Gorillas? Impro Festival 2013), Bristol, Toronto, and Edmonton Canada. These international venues represent channel partnerships for touring.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Volkstheater Wien: Major subsidized Viennese theater that co-produced 'Die Recherche-Show' with TiB. Larger institutional mandate but overlapping contemporary/experimental programming and similar public-funder profile; provides a benchmark for the trajectory of an indie ensemble gaining co-production access to a major house.
• Schaubühne Berlin: Major Berlin theater known for experimental, contemporary programming. Useful as a benchmark for how a German-language institution builds international touring circuits and prestige — relevant to TiB's international touring ambitions.
• Schauspielhaus Graz: Graz's principal subsidized theater and TiB's most important co-production partner (shared productions such as '183 Abgeordnete'). It is significantly larger and institutionally broader, but its contemporary program and shared local audience base make it the closest regional benchmark for TiB's positioning.
• Volksbühne Berlin: Historic Berlin theater with a strongly experimental, politically engaged mandate. Overlaps with TiB in improvisation-adjacent devised work and political commentary; provides a reference point for the artistic ceiling available to politically engaged German-language stages.

Direct peers

• BRUT Wien: Vienna-based producer and venue for contemporary, independent performing arts. Listed as a TiB co-production and guest-performance partner; comparable in indie/contemporary positioning, scale, and funding model (public subsidy + ticket revenue).
• Kristallwerk – Das andere Theater: Small, alternative Graz theater (Viktor-Franz-Straße) listed as a TiB partner venue. Comparable in size, geographic base, and independent/alternative positioning, making it the closest sub-regional peer.
• Theater Neumarkt: Independent contemporary theater in Zürich producing experimental, multilingual, and politically engaged work. Closest non-Austrian peer in terms of scale, funding model, and indie/experimental positioning.
• Theater an der Gumpendorfer Straße (TAG): Indie Vienna theater listed as a TiB guest-performance/co-production partner. Similar independent scale, contemporary programming identity, and bilingual/experimental orientation.
• Stegreif.theater: German-language independent theater with a strong improvised/devised performance focus. Comparable in size and artistic format (physical/devised ensemble work) to TiB's improv-led repertoire.

Others

• steirischer herbst: Styria's premier contemporary-arts festival and a core co-production partner for TiB (e.g., '1000 Euro und eine Nacht', 'ERBEN'). Not a peer theater but a critical ecosystem venue and program funder for TiB's contemporary portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tib_graz_96
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/theaterimbahnhof
• Facebookfacebook.com/TIB-Theater-im-Bahnhof-Graz-102568286447760
• Instagraminstagram.com/theaterimbahnhof
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theater-im-bahnhof

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Theater im Bahnhof