Theater an der Ruhr
Theater an der Ruhr is a municipally owned, non-profit theater in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, presenting live repertoire, youth, and community programming alongside a pioneering Mixed-Reality and VR theater program for regional and international audiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersMülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Theater an der Ruhr does
Theater an der Ruhr is a non-profit municipal theater (gGmbH) headquartered at Akazienallee 61 in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, founded in 1981 by Roberto Ciulli. It operates a multi-venue repertoire combining classical drama with contemporary and experimental work, and runs several distinct programming strands: a main-stage Spielplan of premieres and repertoire productions, a Junges Theater youth and family program, a VolXbühne community-engagement line, a Digital Stage (Digitale Bühne) for online and streamed performances, and an Erweiterte Realitäten program for VR, AR, and mixed-reality theater. Its core technology is Mixed-Reality Theater with multiplayer co-presence — most notably demonstrated in the production Antropka (UA), in which audience, performers, and virtual objects coexist in a shared 360° greenscreen stage, developed with co-producer FFT Düsseldorf and technical partner MIREVI. Supporting infrastructure includes a rehearsal stage on Ruhrorter Str., the Kloster Saarn open-air venue, an online Ticketshop, and accessibility services.
The business model blends three revenue streams: ticket and voucher sales (vouchers from €10), institutional and project grants from German public funders (Beteiligungsholding der Stadt Mülheim an der Ruhr, MKW NRW, Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Kunststiftung NRW, Fonds Darstellende Künste, and the cultural offices of Köln and Düsseldorf), and earned income from international co-productions, festival appearances (Westwind NRW, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, Kunstfest Weimar), and the annual CHAOS Theater- und Cyberfest. Distribution is regional and direct — through an in-house box office, an online ticketing platform, and the four.ruhr cross-institutional collaboration — with international exposure through touring partners such as FFT Düsseldorf, Orangerie Theater Köln, Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg, and Stadttheater Fürth. Customer segments span the general public, families and children, community/local residents (via VolXbühne), and arts patrons seeking contemporary and VR/experimental work.
Theater an der Ruhr firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Theater an der Ruhr
- Legal name
- Theater an der Ruhr gGmbH
- Website
- https://theater-an-der-ruhr.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Theater an der Ruhr is a municipally owned, non-profit theater in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, presenting live repertoire, youth, and community programming alongside a pioneering Mixed-Reality and VR theater program for regional and international audiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Theater an der Ruhr industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts / Live Theater
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)
Keywords
Where Theater an der Ruhr is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mülheim an der Ruhr
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Theater an der Ruhr business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from admission fees to performances. Box office operates Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11am-3pm. Evening box office opens one hour before performances. Tickets available via online ticketing shop.
- Municipal & Public Funding: Theater an der Ruhr gGmbH is backed by the Beteiligungsholding der Stadt Mülheim an der Ruhr GmbH (municipal holding company), indicating significant public subsidy as a cultural institution.
- Voucher Sales: Theater vouchers available from €10.00 with any desired amount, valid for all performances including premieres and special events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Theater vouchers starting at €10.00 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | General admission tickets |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Theater an der Ruhr product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Theater an der Ruhr produces and stages a season repertoire of live theatrical performances across multiple venues including its main Raffelberg house, the Probebühne rehearsal stage, and the outdoor Kloster Saarn venue. Programming spans classical and contemporary drama, international co-productions, youth and family theater (Junges Theater), community participation theater (VolXbühne), digital streaming (Digitale Bühne), and pioneering Extended Reality performances in VR and mixed reality (Erweiterte Realitäten). Ticketing, gift vouchers, accessibility services, and the annual CHAOS Theater- und Cyberfest support the core repertoire.
Product overview
Theater an der Ruhr is a multi-venue theater company in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, offering a diverse portfolio of theatrical productions and programs. The core offering consists of live theater performances across multiple venues, supplemented by innovative digital programs. The portfolio includes traditional repertoire productions (Spielplan), youth programming (Junges Theater), community engagement (VolXbühne), digital offerings (Digitale Bühne), and experimental extended reality productions (Erweiterte Realitäten). Notable innovative products include the annual CHAOS festival combining theater with cyber culture, the mixed-reality production Antropka, and VR experiences like BLUR. Supporting services include an online ticketing system (Ticketshop), gift vouchers, accessibility services, and the vier.ruhr cross-institutional collaboration project.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Theater Productions (Season Repertoire) Live theatrical performances presented as part of the season repertoire, including world premieres, German premieres, and revivals of classical and contemporary works at the theater's venues.
- Junges Theater (Young Theater) Age-appropriate theater productions and educational theater activities for children, families, and school groups, including Theaterspielplatz (foyer play and craft activities with theater pedagogues).
- VolXbühne Community-focused theater program that engages local residents in theatrical productions and participatory performances, including free outdoor VolXbühne events.
- Digitale Bühne (Digital Stage) Online and digital programming offering streamed performances, virtual attendance options, and digital-only presentations for remote audiences.
- Erweiterte Realitäten (Extended Realities) A program series exploring theatrical performance through extended reality technologies, combining VR, AR, and physical stage performance for audience-attended immersive experiences.
- CHAOS - Theater und Cyberfest Annual festival combining theater with cyber culture, featuring VR experiences, interactive installations, symposiums, and performances exploring the intersection of theater and digital technologies.
- BLUR (Virtual Reality Experience) Immersive virtual reality theatrical experience created in collaboration with PHI Studio, Riverbed Theatre, and Onassis Culture, presented as part of the CHAOS festival.
- Antropka (Mixed-Reality Theater Production) Full-length Mixed-Reality theater production featuring true multiplayer co-presence where audience members, performers, and virtual objects exist in a shared 360-degree greenscreen space; co-produced with FFT Düsseldorf and MIREVI.
- Theater Gutscheine (Gift Vouchers) Gift voucher system sold at the box office and online, with customizable amounts starting from €10, redeemable for any performance at the theater including premieres and special events.
- Ticketshop (Online Ticketing Service) Online ticket booking and purchasing system for all theater performances and events, supporting advance and same-day purchases.
- Theaterinseln (Theater Islands) Program of alternative performance venues and spaces beyond the main theater building, including the rehearsal stage and outdoor venues such as Kloster Saarn for Open Air performances.
- vier.ruhr Cross-institutional project collaboration with other cultural venues in the Ruhr region, expanding audience reach and shared programming across multiple theaters.
Companies that use Theater an der Ruhr
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Theater an der Ruhr technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Theater an der Ruhr partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.
- Kunstmuseum MülheimmajorFirst-time cooperation between Theater an der Ruhr and Kunstmuseum Mülheim for the program 'UTOPIE gemeinsam denken in Mülheim' (Thinking utopia together in Mülheim), a joint cultural programming initiative.
- FFT DüsseldorfmajorCoproduction partner for 'Antropka' (UA), a Mixed-Reality theater production. FFT (Freies Theater Düsseldorf) is a major independent theater in Düsseldorf.
- Orangerie Theater KölnminorCoproduction partner with subbotnik and FFT Düsseldorf for 'Showdown – eine Übung des Erbstreits'.
- Kunstfest WeimarmajorCoproduction partner for 'S wie Schädel (UA)', a scenic reflection based on texts by Navid Kermani, featuring Eva Mattes and Roberto Ciulli.
- Stadttheater FürthminorCoproduction partner for 'S wie Schädel (UA)' alongside Kunstfest Weimar and Theater an der Ruhr.
- Kleist Forum Frankfurt (Oder)minorCoproduction partner for 'S wie Schädel (UA)' alongside Theater an der Ruhr and other venues.
- Theatres de la Ville de LuxembourgminorCoproduction partner for 'S wie Schädel (UA)' alongside Theater an der Ruhr and other venues.
- Ruhrfestspiele RecklinghausenminorCoproduction partner for 'S wie Schädel (UA)' alongside Theater an der Ruhr and other venues.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Theater an der Ruhr competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Theater an der Ruhr social profiles
Digital presenceTheater an der Ruhr financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Theater an der Ruhr leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Theater an der Ruhr funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Theater an der Ruhr M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Theater an der Ruhr
What does Theater an der Ruhr do?
Theater an der Ruhr produces and stages a season repertoire of live theatrical performances across multiple venues including its main Raffelberg house, the Probebühne rehearsal stage, and the outdoor Kloster Saarn venue. Programming spans classical and contemporary drama, international co-productions, youth and family theater (Junges Theater), community participation theater (VolXbühne), digital streaming (Digitale Bühne), and pioneering Extended Reality performances in VR and mixed reality (Erweiterte Realitäten). Ticketing, gift vouchers, accessibility services, and the annual CHAOS Theater- und Cyberfest support the core repertoire.
Is Theater an der Ruhr a public or private company?
Theater an der Ruhr is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Theater an der Ruhr founded?
Theater an der Ruhr was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Theater an der Ruhr based?
Theater an der Ruhr is headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Theater an der Ruhr make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are municipal & Public Funding and voucher Sales.
Does Theater an der Ruhr have an API?
No public API is recorded for Theater an der Ruhr.
What industry is Theater an der Ruhr in?
Theater an der Ruhr's product category is Performing Arts / Live Theater. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAH, Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama), with a secondary code of MPAGABAI, Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts. Its NAICS code is 711110 and its SIC code is 7990.