Theater Im Depot

What Theater Im Depot does

Theater im Depot is an independent performing arts venue in Dortmund, Germany, located in the Nordstadt district within the Kulturort Depot complex at Immermannstraße 29. Operated by the non-profit association Verein zur Förderung freier Theaterarbeit e.V. (founded 1996, venue operating since 2001), it provides a 330 sqm main theatre hall (184 seats), two studios (90 sqm and 280 sqm), a dedicated VR theatre, a digital production studio for VR/AR/XR work, and the A29 interface community space. The venue is a certified fully accessible cultural site and part of a 35+ tenant cultural complex.

The portfolio spans four main areas: (1) own and guest programming in contemporary dance, performance, documentary theatre, and experimental formats; (2) the Beyond Gravity biennial festival for digital arts, VR/AR/XR productions, residencies, and symposia; (3) community-oriented projects including the Decolonial Dienstag series and the Nordstadt Community Curating programme with neighbourhood partners; and (4) co-productions, residencies (NFT Freiraum, Beyond Gravity), and FAVORITEN Festival co-organisation. Revenue is generated through ticket sales (solidarity pricing model €5/€12/€18/€25), venue rental, co-production and residency fees, foyer bar/café operations, and a diversified mix of public funding from the NRW Ministry of Culture, the City of Dortmund, and at least eight additional project funders. Distribution and marketing run through the venue's own website, email newsletter (Sendinblue), Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and a press office, with ticket sales via rausgegangen.de and the on-site box office.

Name

Theater Im Depot

Legal name

Verein zur Förderung freier Theaterarbeit e.V.

Website

https://theaterimdepot.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Theater im Depot is an independent performing arts venue in Dortmund, Germany, operating a 330 sqm main hall (184 seats), studios, a VR theatre, and a digital production studio for independent artists, festivals, and neighbourhood programming as a non-profit association.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Live Theater

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Live theater performances
• Performing arts venue
• VR digital theater
• Theater festivals
• Artist residencies

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for performances, events, and festivals. The theatre offers a solidarity pricing model with standard tickets at €18, reduced-rate tickets at €12, soli-tickets at €5, and supporting/fördertickets at €25.
2. Venue Rental: Income from renting out the Theatersaal (up to 184 seats), Studio 1 (90 sqm, up to 49 seats), and Studio 2 (280 sqm, up to 50 seats) to external artists, groups, and organisations for rehearsals, performances, and events.
3. Public Funding and Grants: Core institutional funding from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the City of Dortmund. Additional project-based funding from NRW KULTURsekretariat, Regionalverband Ruhr, NRW Stiftung, Bundesverband Soziokultur, LAG Kunst & Medien NRW, LAG Soziokultur NRW, Bezirksvertretung Dortmund-Nordstadt, and Interkultur Ruhr.
4. Co-productions and Residencies: Revenue generation through co-production agreements and residency programs that attract external funding and artists, including NFT Freiraum Residencies and Beyond Gravity Residencies.
5. Barcode / Foyer Operations: Revenue from the theatre café/bar in the foyer area adjacent to the main hall.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Theater im Depot is an independent, non-profit performing arts venue in Dortmund, Germany that produces and presents contemporary theater performances, immersive virtual reality (VR) and digital art productions, and curated festivals. The venue also operates a digital production studio, hosts artist residencies, and runs community/educational programs. In addition to its own programming, the venue is available for rental by independent theater makers and companies seeking rehearsal and performance space.

Product overview

Theater im Depot is an independent performing arts venue in Dortmund, Germany, operating as a production, performance, and working space for the independent theater scene. The portfolio includes: (1) the main venue with Theatersaal (184 seats), Studio 1, and Studio 2 available for rental; (2) digital arts programming via the Beyond Gravity biennial festival featuring VR/AR productions and a dedicated VR theater; (3) community-focused projects including Decolonial Dienstag series examining Fredenbaumpark's colonial history and Nordstadt Community Curating with neighborhood partners; (4) residency programs (NFT Freiraum and Beyond Gravity VR residencies); and (5) accessible Soli-Ticket pricing. The venue operates as a certified barrier-free cultural site and is managed by Verein zur Förderung freier Theaterarbeit e.V.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beyond Gravity: A biennial festival for digital arts, VR/AR productions, and virtual reality residencies organized by Theater im Depot.
• Die Versammlung der Versammelten
• Dortmund Nordstadt – Community Curating
• Decolonial Dienstag

Products and services

• Theater Performances (Mainstage Program)
• VR/Digital Theater Productions
• Theater Festivals
• Artist Residencies
• Venue Rental (Depot Space)
• Community and Educational Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• The FAVORITEN Festival has been running since 1985, biennially in Dortmund, making it one of the oldest festivals of independent performing arts in Germany
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-WestfalencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary institutional funder of Theater im Depot. Provides ongoing core funding for the venue's operations and programme, as well as project-specific funding for initiatives including the Diversity Fund (NRW Diversitätsfonds), conceptual development funding (Konzeptionsförderung), and Decolonial Dienstag programming through LFDK (Landesbüro Freie Darstellende Künste).
• Kulturbüro der Stadt DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary institutional funder of Theater im Depot alongside the state ministry. Provides ongoing core funding as well as project-specific support for Decolonial Dienstag, Nordstadt Community Curating, and other programmes. Co-organiser of the FAVORITEN Festival.
• NRW Landesbüro Freie Darstellende Künste (LFDK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level coordinating body for independent performing arts in North Rhine-Westphalia. Co-organiser of the FAVORITEN Festival with the Kulturbüro Dortmund. Provides funding for Decolonial Dienstag, Dinner for All, Tanz-Körper-Wissen, and other programmes through LFDK grants.
• NRW KULTURsekretariatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of the FAVORITEN Festival alongside the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Kulturbüro Dortmund, and the Regionalverband Ruhr.
• Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional authority for the Ruhr metropolitan area. Funder of the FAVORITEN Festival and supporter of Decolonial Dienstag through Interkultur Ruhr – Kultur der Vielfalt programme.
• Netzwerk Freier Theater (NFT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of independent theatres across Germany. Theater im Depot joined in April 2025. The network enables a strong exchange between member houses through an internal guest performance programme and strengthens the visibility of the independent arts scene through a residency programme supporting artists' research.
• Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of international production houses in Germany, of which Theater im Depot is a member (listed among the initial signatories of the 2026 budget appeal). Member theatres include FFT Düsseldorf, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, HELLERAU, Kampnagel Hamburg, Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm, PACT Zollverein, and tanzhaus nrw.
• Kulturort Depot DortmundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe cultural complex housing Theater im Depot. Originally a tram maintenance facility, the Kulturort Depot now hosts 35+ tenants across arts, design, photography, and performing arts, offering a diverse programme of exhibitions, theatre, dance, cinema, markets, trade fairs, and workshops under one roof.
• NRW Stiftung (Naturschutz- und Denkmalpflege/Stiftung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided funding for the 2022 renovations to improve accessibility and create new usage possibilities at Theater im Depot.
• Bundesverband Soziokultur e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided funding for the 2022 accessibility renovations and new usage possibilities at Theater im Depot.
• LAG Kunst & Medien NRW e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding body supporting the sub-project 'Voices of Curation – Making processes between community and art visible' within the Nordstadt Community Curating programme.
• LAG Soziokultur NRWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of Decolonial Dienstag – Heimatlabor Fredenbaum #2 through funds from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Bezirksvertretung Innenstadt-Nord Dortmund.
• Bezirksvertretung Dortmund-NordstadtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal district council funding Decolonial Dienstag – Heimatlabor Fredenbaum #2 and Fredenbaum Pluriversen 2025 events.
• Fonds Darstellende KünstemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational fund for performing arts. Supporter of 'Das Treffen der Königinnen' (Édith Nana) and signatory of the 2026 federal budget appeal. Provides guest performance funding (NATIONALE PERFORMANCE NETZ Gastspielförderung) for productions like 'Elfenbein'.
• Bündnis für die Versammlung der Versammelten / NachbarschaftencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipatory institutional development project bringing together neighbourhood actors, community members, and the theatre's artistic team to collaboratively shape the venue's programming and institutional structure.
• Ringlokschuppen RuhrmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Das Treffen der Königinnen' (Édith Nana) alongside Theater im Depot. Regional independent performing arts venue in Mülheim an der Ruhr.
• PRT Bochum (Performance Development)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Aufstieg und Fall des Swimmingpools' (notsopretty) alongside Theater im Depot, in collaboration with Revierpark Wischlingen.
• Revierpark WischlingenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the open-air audio walk 'Aufstieg und Fall des Swimmingpools' (notsopretty). Venue for the performance event in the outdoor swimming pool area.
• LOFFT – Das Theater, LeipzigmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Elfenbein – Annäherung an ein fleischloses Erbe' alongside Theater im Depot and Theaterwerkstatt Pilkentafel Flensburg.
• Theaterwerkstatt Pilkentafel, FlensburgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Elfenbein – Annäherung an ein fleischloses Erbe' alongside Theater im Depot and LOFFT Leipzig.
• NATIONALE PERFORMANCE NETZ (NPN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Performance Network guest performance funding programme supporting the 'Elfenbein' guest performance at Theater im Depot. Funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM).
• Train of Hope Dortmund e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Dortmund Nordstadt Community Curating project. A local association providing support for people who have fled to Dortmund since 2015. Contributes to the community curatorial research group.
• Stadtteil-Schule Dortmund e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Dortmund Nordstadt Community Curating project. A neighbourhood school association contributing to the community curatorial research group exploring cultural participation in Nordstadt.
• Migrantinnenverein Dortmund e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Dortmund Nordstadt Community Curating project. An association representing migrant women in Dortmund, contributing to the community curatorial research group exploring cultural representation and participation.
• Beyond Gravity Festival PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners for the Beyond Gravity biennial digital arts festival (2025 edition: 'Decolonizing the Digital'), including residency programme collaborators Viviane Maghela, Eric Takukam, and Enya Obert. Festival features symposia, exhibitions, performances, XR installations, and VR works.
• Selbstverpflichtung zur Antidiskriminierung (Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater im Depot adheres to the anti-discrimination self-commitment charter of the Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser, which includes designation of trusted contact persons (Vertrauenspersonen), staff training, and active prevention of discrimination, harassment, and mobbing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• LOFFT – Das Theater Leipzig: Leipzig independent theatre and direct co-producer with Theater im Depot on Elfenbein. Comparable as a publicly funded independent producing venue with co-production partnerships across the German independent scene.
• Mousonturm: Frankfurt-based independent production house for performing arts and Bündnis member. Comparable as a multi-space venue producing theatre, dance, performance, and discursive formats on a publicly funded model with residency and co-production programmes.
• Kampnagel Hamburg: Hamburg's largest independent production house for performing arts and a Bündnis member. Comparable as a multi-hall venue (theatre, dance, performance) with residency programmes, co-productions, and a publicly anchored funding model.
• FFT Düsseldorf: Forum Freies Theater (FFT) is an NRW independent performing arts house and Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser member. Directly comparable as a publicly funded NRW venue producing contemporary dance, performance, and theatre with co-production and residency programmes.
• PACT Zollverein: Essen-based (NRW) international production house for dance, performance, and media arts; fellow Bündnis member. Comparable operating model combining residencies, co-productions, festival-style programming, and venue rentals on a publicly funded basis.
• tanzhaus nrw: Düsseldorf-based NRW venue dedicated to contemporary dance and Bündnis member. Closely comparable to Theater im Depot on dance/performance focus, NRW public funding, co-production model, and audience-development mission.
• HELLERAU – Europäisches Zentrum der Künste: Dresden-based European Center of the Arts and Bündnis member. Comparable as a publicly funded production house combining contemporary dance, performance, music, and digital/immersive arts in a multi-venue campus setting.
• PRT Bochum: Performance/Produktion (PRT) in Bochum is an NRW independent producing venue and direct co-producer with Theater im Depot on Aufstieg und Fall des Swimmingpools. Comparable in scale, NRW public funding, and contemporary performance focus.
• Ringlokschuppen Ruhr: Independent performing arts venue in Mülheim an der Ruhr (NRW) and direct co-producer with Theater im Depot on productions such as Das Treffen der Königinnen. Comparable size, public funding model, and focus on contemporary independent theatre in the Ruhr region.

Broad incumbents

• HAU Hebbel am Ufer: Berlin-based three-venue independent theatre complex and Bündnis member. Operates at a larger scale and longer institutional history than Theater im Depot, but is directly comparable in mission, programming breadth, and public funding structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/theaterimdepot
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheaterimDepot
• Instagraminstagram.com/theaterimdepot
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theater-im-depot

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 Theater Im Depot