What Zummerbühne does

Zummerbühne is a Dutch cultural foundation (Stichting) registered in Groningen, Netherlands, operating under ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) tax status as a non-profit entity. Founded in 2021-2022 by actor Marcel Hensema and composer/conductor Reinout Douma, the foundation produces one large-scale outdoor music theater production per year, with each show staged at a distinct site across the province of Groningen: Hollands Hoop (2022), Ripperda (2023), De Grote Vloed (2024), Gronieken (2025), and De Graanrepubliek (2026). Across the first four productions, the foundation has drawn approximately 97,000 cumulative visitors, with single-show attendance typically in the 23,000-26,000 range, and a fifth show reaching roughly 10,000 tickets sold five months ahead of opening in 2026. The works are site-specific original theater pieces that draw on regional history and identity rather than adaptations of existing IP.

The foundation's technology footprint is limited to standard event-industry tooling: Gentleware for ticketing, iWink for the public website, TicketSwap for secondary-market resale, and a partnership with Arriva for shuttle bus services between the performance site and public transport. There is no proprietary platform or in-house technical product. Operations are run by a small team of approximately 10 employees under Artistic Director Reinout Douma and Business Director Emil Klok, with a supervisory board comprising Natalie Straatman, Patrick Tuil, and Inge Imelman.

The business model combines ticket revenue, ancillary services (dinner combinations priced at €84, youth tickets at €32, standard tickets at €42, shuttle service at €12), and multi-source public and private grant funding. Anchor support comes from the Nationaal Programma Groningen under its Toukomst €100M regional development program, with additional funding from Provincie Groningen, Blockbusterfonds, VSBfonds, SK&L, STILO Fonds, LEADER Oost-Groningen, and Fonds Eemsmond. The audience consists of individual ticket buyers drawn primarily from the Groningen region and broader Netherlands; there are no enterprise customers, sponsorships above the public-funder level, or recurring B2B revenue. Each year's production is a standalone creative work rather than a recurring franchise, with revenue concentrated in a 4-5 week summer performance window.

Name

Zummerbühne

Legal name

Stichting Zummerbühne

Website

https://zummerbuhne.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zummerbühne is a Groningen-based Dutch cultural foundation that produces annual large-scale outdoor music theater performances rooted in regional history, drawing roughly 23,000-26,000 visitors per show since 2022.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Live Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Custom Music & Original Score/Composition (MPAIALAD), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Outdoor music theater
• Site-specific theater
• Live performance events
• Regional heritage productions
• Cultural foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from individual and group ticket sales for outdoor music theater performances. Standard tickets priced at €42, youth tickets at €32. Performances run multiple evenings per week during a 4-5 week summer season.
2. Dinner Combos: Multi-course dinner packages combined with show tickets, priced at €84 for adults and €74 for youth. Dinner begins at 18:00 before the 20:15 performance.
3. Shuttle Bus Service: Bus transportation from Groningen Station or P+R Meerstad to the venue and back, priced at €12 per person. Operated in partnership with Arriva.
4. Merchandise and Donations: Sale of book editions related to productions (e.g., De Graanrepubliek book at €17.50), merchandise, and donations to the Zummerbühnebos forest planting fund.
5. Side Program Events: Revenue from supplementary events including lectures (€6), guided tours (€10.50), and talkshows (€12.50).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zummerbühne produces and presents annual large-scale outdoor music theater performances at changing locations across the province of Groningen, Netherlands. Each production features a live orchestra and choir combined with professional actors and regional amateur performers, telling stories rooted in Groningen's history and landscape. Ticket sales, dinner combos, shuttle bus transport, and side program events (lectures, tours, talkshows) round out the offering.

Product overview

Zummerbühne is a location-based music theater production company that creates annual large-scale outdoor productions in the province of Groningen, Netherlands. The portfolio consists of a core annual production (mainstage musical theater shows with live orchestra and choir), supplemented by ticketing services, shuttle bus transportation, dining packages, podcasts, and regional side programs. Each production runs for approximately one month at a different location in Groningen, featuring professional actors and musicians augmented by local amateur performers. The company has produced five major shows: De Graanrepubliek (2026), Gronieken (2025), De Grote Vloed (2024), Ripperda (2023), and Hollands Hoop (2022), collectively attracting over 97,000 visitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• De Graanrepubliek Epic music theater about class struggle, activism and historical events in Eastern Groningen, presented in Oostwold for audiences attending live performances.
• Randprogramma (Side Program) Supplementary cultural events such as lectures (€6), guided tours (€10.50), and talkshows (€12.50) that extend engagement with regional history beyond the main performance.
• Ticketverkoop (Online Ticketing) Online ticket sales platform for Zummerbühne productions, with standard tickets (€42), youth tickets (€32), dinner combo tickets, accessibility tickets, and shuttle bus tickets.
• Zummerbühnebus (Shuttle Bus) Round-trip shuttle bus transportation from Groningen Station or P+R Meerstad to the performance venue, priced at €12 per person, in partnership with Arriva.
• Combitickets met Diner (Dinner Combo Tickets) Multi-course regional dinner packages combined with show tickets, priced at €84 for adults and €74 for youth (25 and under).

Quantifiable outcome

• All tickets for Ripperda (2023) sold three weeks before opening
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• BlauwestadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development organization in the Oldambt area, partner in area development and cultural initiatives.
• ArrivamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransportation company operating shuttle bus service from Groningen Station and P+R Meerstad to performance venues. Bus departs at 18:45 from Groningen Station and 19:00 from P+R Meerstad on all performance days.
• Cultuurhuis De KlinkerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue in Winschoten co-organizing the talkshow 'Onder een dun laagje klei' with Zummerbühne on August 25, 2026.
• Stichting Landschap OldambtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage organization providing guided tours through polders, dikes, locks, and farms around Finsterwolde as part of the side program.
• Stichting Vijf Oldambtster DorpenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage foundation contributing to the side program with historical tours and cultural activities.
• IVN Oldambt-WesterwoldeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education organization organizing lectures about water in the Oldambt region at Spilleleen farm.
• Stichting Komt het ZienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing audio description services for visually impaired visitors on special performance dates (September 4, 2026).
• Boerderij HoogheemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Oldambtster farm hosting guided tours and presentations as part of the side program.
• Kerk BeertaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric church venue hosting Frank Westerman's lecture 'Hoe Bijltjesdag er werkelijk uitzag' on August 29, 2026.
• MFC De HardenbergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center in Finsterwolde hosting Cees Stolk's lecture 'Strijd in het Oldambt' on August 9 and 16, 2026.
• Op MaarhuizenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise working with Stichting Enne Jans Heerd and Staatsbosbeheer on restoration and public access to the Maarhuizen location for Ripperda (2023).
• StaatsbosbeheerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nature management organization involved in the restoration and development of the Maarhuizen location.
• TicketswapminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial secondary ticket market partner. System generates new tickets and invalidates originals to prevent scalping.
• Kledingbank MáximaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClothing bank receiving costumes after productions for reuse, supporting circular economy goals.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Over het IJ Festival: Over het IJ is an Amsterdam-based summer festival presenting site-specific theater, music theater, and performance in the NDSM-werf area. Its location-bound, large-scale outdoor performing arts programming aligns directly with Zummerbühne's site-specific music theater model.
• Oerol Festival: Oerol is a large-scale annual site-specific performing arts festival on Terschelling combining theater, music, dance, and visual art in natural landscapes. It is the closest Dutch comparator to Zummerbühne's outdoor, location-based theater model with mixed professional and amateur performers.
• Karavaan Festival: Karavaan is a multi-day open-air theater and music festival held in Drenthe each summer. It is a regional Dutch outdoor performing arts event with comparable audience demographics, ticketed structure, and blend of professional and local performers.
• Theaterfestival Boulevard: Theaterfestival Boulevard is a summer theater festival in 's-Hertogenbosch staging theater, music theater, and dance across multiple outdoor and indoor venues. Its multi-venue summer programming with music theater productions is structurally similar to Zummerbühne's annual format.
• Theaterfestival De Parade: De Parade is a traveling summer theater festival rotating through Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht) with tent venues hosting theater, music, and dining. Its touring, seasonal, dine-and-watch format closely mirrors Zummerbühne's annual touring music theater with dinner combos.

Broad incumbents

• Stage Entertainment: Stage Entertainment is the dominant commercial musical theater producer in the Netherlands and Germany. While its scale and touring model differ, it produces large-cast musicals with live music that compete for the same paying audience interested in musical theater experiences.
• Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA): ITA (formerly Toneelgroep Amsterdam) is the Netherlands' flagship subsidized theater company producing large-scale drama and music theater. It overlaps with Zummerbühne as a major Dutch theater producer but operates indoors with a permanent ensemble and broader season.

Emerging players

• Festival Oude Muziek: Festival Oude Muziek is an annual early and classical music festival in Utrecht with a strong live performance component. It overlaps with Zummerbühne on the orchestral/choral live music programming and Dutch cultural funding ecosystem, though its focus is repertoire rather than narrative theater.
• Noordpool Orkest: Noordpool Orkest is a Groningen-based contemporary orchestra founded and led by Reinout Douma, Zummerbühne's artistic leader. It is the in-house musical engine for Zummerbühne productions and represents the closest regional orchestral peer providing live music for large-scale events.

Regional players

• Regents Park Open Air Theatre: Regents Park Open Air Theatre is a London summer venue producing musical theater, Shakespeare, and concerts in an outdoor setting. It is a comparable international peer for the outdoor music theater, summer-season, ticketed format but in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7vtadG1pLLGCzza_N22tDQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Zummerbuhne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zummerb-hne
• Instagraminstagram.com/zummerbuhne

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Zummerbühne