Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum

What Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum does

Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum e.V., operating as LATIBUL Theater- & Zirkuspädagogisches Zentrum, is a non-profit registered association (e.V.) founded in 1980 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany. The organization functions as one of Germany's oldest institutions combining theater and circus pedagogy under a transdisciplinary model, operating two purpose-built venues: a theater location in the Belgian Quarter (Genter Straße 23) and a circus site in Cologne-Riehl (An der Schanz 6) featuring three large circus tents plus aerial-acrobatics-equipped training rooms. LATIBUL delivers state-recognized professional qualifications in theater and circus pedagogy (12–26 month programs), short continuing-education courses, youth qualification tracks (Jugendübungsleiter*in and JuLeiCa), weekly leisure courses for children/youth/adults, holiday programs, in-house theater and circus productions, team-building workshops, birthday parties, and venue rentals. The organization also houses the Fachstelle Zirkuspädagogik NRW (state-wide circus pedagogy center) and the circBIB specialist library, which was digitized at the end of 2022.

LATIBUL's business model combines six revenue streams: (1) recurring monthly course fees billed via direct debit, (2) transaction-based ticket sales through Codekarussell UG for in-house and guest productions, (3) one-time venue and space rental of circus tents and rehearsal rooms, (4) corporate team-building and offsite programs billed as professional services, (5) birthday-party packages, and (6) public funding and project grants from federal, state, and foundation sources including BMFSFJ, LVR, Aktion Mensch, and NRW inklusiv. As a state-recognized Bildungswerk since 2012 under §15 Abs. 2 WbG and a recognized free youth welfare provider under §75 KJHG, LATIBUL benefits from Bildungsurlaub eligibility and inclusion in NRW cultural policy frameworks, including the 2022 Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for circus.

The organization is governed by a volunteer board (Michèle Wolf as 1st Chair, Andreas Sellner, Meike Theuer as 2nd Chair) and led operationally by Managing Director and Artistic Director Éva Adorján (since 2020). With 11 employees, LATIBUL serves a broad and diversified base including individual children and youth, adults seeking recreational arts engagement, educators pursuing professional qualifications, corporate teams, and underserved communities through the KULT. outreach project in the Chorweiler district.

Name

Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum

Legal name

Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum e.V.

Website

https://tpz-koeln.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum e.V. (LATIBUL) is a Cologne-based non-profit (founded 1980) delivering state-recognized theater and circus pedagogy through professional qualifications, leisure courses, productions, and outreach across two venues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural & Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI), Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Theater pedagogy education
• Circus arts training
• Cultural youth programs
• Professional certification courses
• Leisure workshop classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne (Köln)

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course and Workshop Fees: Monthly course fees for leisure courses in circus and theater arts, one-time fees for workshops, holiday programs, and qualification programs. Courses are available for children, youth, and adults with ongoing enrollment options.
2. Event and Performance Tickets: Ticket sales for theater productions and circus shows at their circus tents and theater venue. Also includes guest performances and productions. Tickets sold online via Codekarussell UG and at the door.
3. Venue and Space Rental: Rental of circus tents (Gaudium show tent, Nido training tent, Paraplü circus tent), studio stage, rehearsal rooms, and seminar spaces at both locations.
4. Team Workshops and Corporate Events: Team building workshops, corporate events, and team offsite programs combining circus and theater activities with teamwork development concepts.
5. Children's Birthday Parties: Birthday party packages in circus and theater settings for families.
6. State Funding and Project Grants: As a state-recognized educational institution (Bildungswerk Darstellende Künste Köln since 2012), the organization receives public funding. Additional project-based grants from cultural programs, youth welfare, and foundations such as Aktion Mensch and NRW inklusiv.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum e.V., operating as LATIBUL, is a state-recognized educational institution in Cologne offering certified professional training programs in theater and circus pedagogy (12–26 month vocational qualifications), continuing education courses, weekly leisure courses for children, youth, and adults, holiday programs, the Zirkus Wibbelstetz youth circus ensemble, team-building workshops, birthday party packages, and venue rentals across two physical locations (a circus site in Cologne-Riehl and a theater venue in the Belgian Quarter).

Product overview

LATIBUL Theater- und Zirkuspädagogisches Zentrum operates as a unified educational and cultural center offering a comprehensive portfolio of theater and circus pedagogy services. The core offerings include: certified professional Weiterbildungen (12-26 month programs) and Fortbildungen (short courses) for adult educators and practitioners; Freizeitkurse (weekly leisure courses) and Ferienprogramme (holiday programs) for children, youth, and adults; and the renowned Zirkus Wibbelstetz children's and youth circus ensemble. Additional services include team building workshops, birthday party packages, and venue rentals. The center also houses the Fachstelle Zirkuspädagogik NRW (specialist circus pedagogy center) and operates the circBIB specialist library. Productions, festivals, conventions, and the KULT. community outreach project round out the offering. With two locations - circus grounds in Cologne-North and theater in the Belgian Quarter - the center serves as both a training institution and performance venue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weiterbildungen (Certified Professional Training Programs) State-recognized, certified professional development programs in theater pedagogy and circus pedagogy, offered as vocational training courses lasting 12–26 months, leading to recognized qualifications in performing arts education for adult educators and practitioners.
• Fortbildungen (Continuing Education) Short-term professional development and teacher training courses in circus and theater pedagogy, ranging from five days to six months, with eligibility for Bildungsurlaub (educational leave).
• Workshops Short weekend workshops for active practitioners and interested amateurs, taught by recognized experts, covering specialized areas of theater and circus arts with participation certificates.
• Jugendqualifizierungen (Youth Qualifications) Vocational qualification programs for circus-interested youth starting at age 15, offering BAG-certified Youth Circus Instructor (Jugendübungsleiter*in) certification and the Youth Leader Card (JuLeiCa).
• Freizeitkurse (Leisure Courses) Weekly leisure courses in theater and circus arts for children, youth, and adults with continuous enrollment, featuring annual public performances.
• Ferienprogramme (Holiday Programs) Vacation programs for children and youth led by experienced theater and circus educators, offering adventure experiences, skill development, and social activities during school holidays.
• Zirkus Wibbelstetz Children's and youth circus group founded in 1982, one of the oldest in Germany, producing annual new productions that perform for audiences of all ages.
• Theaterproduktionen (Theater & Circus Productions) In-house theater and circus productions developed by LATIBUL, performed regularly in circus tents and theater spaces, with both original productions and guest performances.
• Teamworkshops (Corporate Workshops) Team building and corporate event workshops combining fun, movement, and creative challenges with impulses for teamwork and collaboration, offered to companies and organizations.
• Kindergeburtstage (Birthday Parties) Birthday celebration packages in the circus ring or theater stage, offering exclusive access for parties to perform or celebrate.
• Location & Event Spaces (Venue Rental) Rental venues including circus tents (Gaudium, Nido, Paraplü), studio stage, and rehearsal rooms at two locations — circus grounds in Cologne-North and theater in the Belgian Quarter — for events, performances, and celebrations.
• Festivals & Tagungen (Festivals & Conferences) Regular conferences on special focus areas of theater and circus pedagogy, and festivals (e.g., Circus Dance Festival, Deutsches Kinder-Theater-Fest) attracting international audiences.
• Conventions Convention events focused on encounter, shared training, exchange, and new inputs for all circus and circus arts enthusiasts (e.g., Cologne Aerial Convention).
• Fachstelle Zirkuspädagogik NRW (Circus Pedagogy Specialist Center NRW) Specialized center for advancing circus pedagogy in North Rhine-Westphalia, conducting multiplier trainings, managing the circBIB specialist library, and developing innovative contemporary circus projects.
• circBIB (Circus Pedagogy Specialist Library) Specialist library for circus pedagogy containing literature and media on circus arts, with digital catalog access since late 2022, operated as part of the Fachstelle Zirkuspädagogik NRW.
• KULT. Projekt (Cultural Points Project) Networking project establishing long-term connections between cultural and youth work facilities in the Chorweiler district, bringing diverse cultural offerings to children and youth in underserved neighborhoods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,500 children and youth reached through cultural participation projects in underserved areas
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Zirkuspädagogik e.V. (BAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for circus pedagogy in Germany. LATIBUL staff participate in BAG activities, youth exchanges, and professional conferences. The BAG provides certification recognition for youth qualification programs.
• Theater ImPuls (Stadtbezirk Porz)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural pedagogical institution cooperating on the Cultural Points (KULT.) project to bring cultural offerings to underserved city districts. LATIBUL covers Chorweiler district, Theater ImPuls covers Porz district.
• L'Aria Theater (Korsika)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench theater on Corsica engaged in German-French youth exchange program funded by DFJW (Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk). Regular mutual visits for circus training and cultural exchange.
• Filmhaus KölnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on media creation projects including Daumenkinos (flipbooks) and Stop-Motion films at public events.
• Kulturpädagogische Facheinrichtungen KölnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of cultural pedagogical institutions in Cologne collaborating on the KULT. Cultural Points project to establish long-term networks between cultural and youth work facilities in underserved areas.
• LAG Arbeit Bildung Kultur NRWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState working group that publishes volunteer positions including FSJ (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr) opportunities at LATIBUL.
• Circus Dance FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual festival hosted at LATIBUL circus site featuring contemporary circus and dance. CUBEs tested at the festival for audience engagement.
• Solarcamp Köln BonnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural organization collaborating on projects and events listed in LATIBUL's festival programming.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Zirkuspädagogik e.V. (BAG): National industry association for circus pedagogy in Germany, of which LATIBUL is an active member and through which its Jugendqualifizierungen are certified. Indirect comparator — peer network and standards body rather than direct operator.
• Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung (BKJ): Umbrella organization for German cultural education providers across disciplines. Provides funding advocacy and policy channels relevant to LATIBUL's continued state recognition and access to BKJ-aligned federal programs (e.g., DAS ZUKUNFTSPAKET ecosystem).

Direct peers

• Cabuwazi: Berlin-based children's and youth circus with five sites offering weekly courses, holiday programs, and youth circus instructor training under the BAG-Zirkuspädagogik umbrella. Directly comparable to LATIBUL's circus pedagogy side, including Wibbelstetz and Jugendqualifizierung offerings.
• Zirkus Rambazotti: Aachen-based children's and youth circus with professional circus pedagogy training and BAG-recognized youth qualifications. Same niche as LATIBUL's Zirkuspädagogik: weekly courses, youth ensemble performances, and certified instructor pathways.
• Junges Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf: NRW-based theater for young audiences with theater education programs and partnerships with schools. Shares LATIBUL's combination of regional theater, pedagogical programs, and inclusion work, including interfacing with the same NRW cultural education funding.
• Schauburg München – Theater für junges Publikum: Munich's municipal theater for young audiences producing seasons of own and guest productions alongside extensive theater pedagogy (school programs, Weiterbildung for educators). Closely comparable to LATIBUL's theater pedagogy + in-house production model.

Regional players

• TPZ Stuttgart / Theaterpädagogische Zentren network: German network of Theaterpädagogische Zentren offering state-recognized theater pedagogy Weiterbildungen and course programs in other cities (Stuttgart, Münster, Braunschweig). Same operational model as LATIBUL's Bildungswerk but serving distinct metropolitan catchments.

Broad incumbents

• Folkwang Universität der Künste: Essen-based performing arts university offering degree programs in theater pedagogy, dance, and contemporary circus. Overlaps with LATIBUL on theater pedagogy curriculum design, NRW cultural education ecosystem, and qualification of educators, but operates as a broader HEI rather than a focused vocational center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpe-02jJcP2DRTfxpj7wasw
• Facebookfacebook.com/latibulkoeln
• Instagraminstagram.com/latibulkoeln
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theaterp%C3%A4dagogisches-zentrum

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum