Theater Ansbach - Culture at the Castle | Program & Tickets

The Theater Ansbach – Culture at the Castle is the contemporary heart of performing arts in the government capital of Middle Franconia. The ensemble performs at the Borkholderhaus at Promenade 29 opposite the baroque residence and combines municipal theater tradition with a lively, diverse program of plays, concert formats, and the popular Ansbach puppet shows. Its central location makes visiting uncomplicated, the atmosphere is personal and approachable, the distances are short, and the artistic signatures are distinctive. Since its founding by the cooperative Culture at the Castle in 2007 and the start of regular operations in 2008, the venue has established itself as one of the most important cultural providers in the region. The artistic director since the 2020/21 season is Axel Krauße. The large house with 417 seats is currently out of operation due to fire safety deficiencies, but performances continue: in the small house with 64 seats, in the theater behind the iron curtain with around 80 seats, as well as at special locations in the city. Thus, the stage in the heart of Franconia remains close to the audience and present in the city even during a transitional phase.

Program and Highlights: Plays, Puppet Shows, and City Experiences

Those looking for a program will find a varied schedule at the Theater Ansbach, ranging from classics and contemporary drama to original productions and guest performances. In addition to the evening program, two profiles shape the venue: concerts and the Ansbach puppet shows, which appeal to children, families, and young audiences as well as curious adults. There are formats for children and families such as Hey, hey, hey, TAXI!, which will be scheduled again in the coming seasons, and winter fairy tale productions like The Emperor's New Clothes around the holidays. In the 2024/25 season, the theater implemented significant themed evenings and discussion formats that actively involved the audience. For example, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, there was a public discussion after The Fiscal, allowing direct exchange about content, staging, and performance. The intertwining of program and audience is part of the profile that allows not only theater viewing but also theater discussion in Ansbach. World premieres, city explorations as summer theater, or collaborations with independent groups in Ansbach are also part of the repertoire, ensuring that the stage continually opens up to the city. For young ensembles and the city ensemble, the stage creates performance spaces that range from an intimate studio feel to concentrated performances on the main stage. An example of the latest youth and community work was the premiere of 100 Songs on June 28, 2025, at the Theater Ansbach, a work by Roland Schimmelpfennig, which was brought to the stage by the Young Ensemble and the City Ensemble together and was performed again in several dates in early July. Additionally, literary programs such as Germany. A Winter's Tale are also on the agenda, as well as classics for children like The Robber Hotzenplotz or popular materials like The Neinhorn in the puppet shows. This mix of repertoire, series, and discussion offerings creates a dense cultural program throughout the entire season from September to July.

Even though the large house is currently closed, the theater is inventing creative performance locations and shifting larger productions instead of canceling them. This is made possible by the usable spaces in the Borkholderhaus itself and flexible guest performance locations in the city, from the Onoldiasaal to unusual urban spaces. Thus, the calendar remains colorful and current, whether for premieres, revivals, family performances, or song evenings. Those interested in specific dates should regularly check the online schedule and the event overviews of the city and region, as the ongoing fire safety renovations will continuously adjust arrangements.

Buying Tickets and Pre-Sale: Box Office, Phone, and Online

You can purchase tickets for performances at the Theater Ansbach at the box office in the Borkholderhaus, by phone, or online. The box office hours are Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. During these times, the ticket phone can be reached at 0981 970 40 14. The central location of the box office at Promenade 29 also facilitates personal purchases, especially if you want to receive advice on-site spontaneously. Especially in the current transitional phase, it is advisable to check the chosen performance shortly before the date, as changes in the auditorium are possible and will be communicated through official channels. Those who book online can have their tickets delivered digitally depending on the offer or left at the box office. For special formats like public discussions, readings, or specific series, different pricing models may apply, which will be indicated in the event announcement.

Particularly in demand are children's and family performances of the Ansbach puppet shows and the Christmas fairy tales, which cause increased attendance during the holiday season. Therefore, plan sufficient lead time if you are coming with children or prefer seats in the front rows. For discounts, group orders, or school performances, the theater box office provides individual information. Those new to Ansbach benefit from personal service on-site, as the team can quickly assess which row and which auditorium suit your needs. And if a production is moved to an alternative space, the box office will provide uncomplicated advice on rebooking. Thanks to the compact venue and short distances, access to the respective performance locations is clearly signposted, even if the main grandstand is not available.

Seating Plan, Seats, and Capacities: Small House, Behind the Iron Curtain, and Large House

The Borkholderhaus regularly has three relevant audience areas. The large house, the central auditorium of the theater, accommodates 417 seats. This auditorium has been closed since February 2024 due to identified fire safety deficiencies and ventilation issues. The city has initiated the renovation and is preparing a significant upgrade of the auditorium. In the meantime, the theater is utilizing the areas that are approved independently of the large auditorium. This includes the theater behind the iron curtain, which is the seated main stage with around 80 seats. The name refers to the iron curtain that separates the stage and auditorium for fire safety reasons, allowing for a safe, intimate setting. Additionally, there is the small house, a former studio cinema in the Borkholderhaus, which was converted into a studio stage in 2021 and accommodates 64 visitors. These two rooms currently form the core of the in-house performances. For selected productions, the theater also resorts to external locations, such as city halls, which changes the number of available seats depending on the location.

The seating plan is therefore determined by the room being used. In the theater behind the iron curtain, the seating is concentrated and close to the stage, ideal for spoken theater, readings, and chamber music formats. In the small house, the studio architecture creates an immediate connection between the audience and the performance, making quiet moments and subtle directorial cues particularly effective. Once the large house reopens, it will offer capacity for larger theatrical evenings, orchestral concerts, and guest performances with its tiered layout and sightlines. Until then, it is important to check the auditorium designation when purchasing tickets, as it affects entry, cloakroom routes, and refreshment service. An advantage is that the distances in the house are short, and the staff assists in finding your seat. Those who prefer certain seats due to mobility or hearing habits should indicate this when booking; the team can make seating suggestions that consider proximity to stage access, middle blocks, or aisle seats.

Directions and Parking: Promenade 29, Opposite the Residence

The theater is located at a prominent position at Promenade 29, directly opposite the Ansbach residence with orangerie and courtyard garden. The central location in the city center allows for convenient access on foot from the old town, by bus from the districts, and by bicycle. For those arriving by car, several central parking options are available. Particularly relevant is the parking lot Rezatwiese East Middle with 324 parking spaces. There is a fee schedule on weekdays with half-hourly rates and a maximum parking duration; parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. In immediate proximity to the theater, there is also the Inselwiese, which is designated as a parking area with a designated disabled parking space. Thanks to the location between the residence and promenade, the walking distances from the parking areas to the theater are short and well signposted. Those using navigation systems should enter Promenade 29, 91522 Ansbach as the destination. For bus trips from groups, it is advisable to coordinate the respective stop situation and boarding before the performance with the theater box office, especially if a change of auditorium or another performance location in the city is planned.

For visitors who like to combine their theater evening with dining, Backstage Ansbach in the same building complex offers food and drinks daily from early evening, ranging from Mediterranean snacks to classics and cocktails. This allows for a combination of attending a performance and meeting friends in one place. Entry to the performances usually begins in good time before the start; exact times vary depending on the auditorium and are mentioned in the event announcement. Plan for a few extra minutes for parking searches on busy evenings, such as weekends or during holiday periods. However, the central location rewards with short distances from the parking area to the cloakroom and your seat.

Accessibility and Services: Elevator, Wheelchair Spaces, and Disabled WC

The Borkholderhaus is accessible and equipped with an elevator. Wheelchair spaces are available, as well as a barrier-free WC. A designated disabled parking space is provided at the Inselwiese next to the theater. This information is summarized on municipal information pages and confirmed by the venue. For planning your visit, this means: You can reserve wheelchair or companion seats when purchasing tickets and receive information on which auditorium and access is optimal for you. The entry staff on-site can assist with accessible routes; the short distances in the building facilitate orientation. The external studio stage in Welserstraße is also accessible and is used in performance times with an increased need for alternative spaces. For guests with hearing aids or special seating requests, a brief call during box office hours is recommended so that the team can find situational solutions, such as proximity to aisles or front rows in the smaller auditoriums.

Service is also thought beyond the artistic offering. This includes discussion series after performances that allow the audience to engage in conversation with the ensemble and artistic team. This format was explicitly revisited in the 2024/25 season, for example, with The Fiscal in early November 2024 and other evenings. Those coming with children will find age-appropriate offerings in the puppet shows with clear age indications, compact playing times, and illustrative storytelling. The box office hours are arranged so that personal advice in the afternoon is also possible, which is particularly helpful for families or groups. Gastronomically, Backstage Ansbach complements the theater evening directly on-site with an evening menu and drinks, allowing for a complete cultural evening without additional travel.

History and Special Features: Borkholderhaus and Cooperative

The Theater Ansbach is the youngest Bavarian playhouse and was founded in 2007 by the cooperative Culture at the Castle. Regular operations began in 2008. The venue resides in the Borkholderhaus, a building of New Objectivity from 1929, which gives the theater its architecturally prominent framework. The founding connects to a local cultural heritage line: The predecessor structure as a concert association and cinema developed over decades into the current sponsoring cooperative, whose fields of work include theater, concerts, and cinema. Under the artistic direction of founding director Jürgen Eick, Susanne Schulz, and since 2020/21 Axel Krauße, the venue has established itself with a program-defining mix of classics, contemporary works, literary evenings, and series for young audiences. Its location opposite the residence and at the edge of the courtyard garden makes the theater a focal point for cultural walks close to the orangerie and historical urban spaces.

The fire safety issues that led to the closure of the large house in 2024 prompted the city, the cooperative, and the cultural public to further develop the venue technically and in terms of audience suitability. Reports from 2024 refer to deficiencies in fire safety and ventilation in the large auditorium. As a result, plans were initiated to improve sightlines and adjust the number of seats during the renovation. Regional media report on a planned start of larger renovation works from autumn 2026. For the audience, this means temporarily reduced capacities but better stay and sight qualities in the long term. That the theater continues to perform is thanks to the structure of the house with alternative performance locations and the city's willingness to use replacement spaces like the Onoldiasaal when production-related necessary. Thus, the stage remains visible, and new formats even benefit from the special proximity in the small house and behind the iron curtain.

Children and Families: Ansbach Puppet Shows and Fairy Tale Classics

The Ansbach puppet shows are a trademark of the venue. They regularly offer puppet theater for children from four or five years old and are open to the whole family. Works like The Neinhorn, based on the successful children's book by Marc Uwe Kling and Astrid Henn, are presented in co-productions and invitations and were developed for the stage in Ansbach. The calendar also shows series for younger children with clear length indications and an educational perspective that balance theater experience and concentration. Throughout the year, classics like The Robber Hotzenplotz attract visitors across generations due to their popularity. During the Christmas season, fairy tale productions are a highlight, most recently The Emperor's New Clothes as a family event around the holidays. The puppet shows are visible throughout the city and are complemented by collaborations with venues in the region and guest performance locations when the auditorium situation requires it.

Youth and amateur work also have their place in the theater. Productions with the Young Ensemble Ansbach and the City Ensemble, such as 100 Songs, celebrated their premiere in the venue in 2025 and were performed in close succession. This shows how the stage functions as a space for learning and experience: Young people, students, and theater enthusiasts from the city work together with professionals and bring themes of their generation to the stage. Discussion series with the audience, readings, and music evenings complete the picture and invite lingering after the performance, not least thanks to the gastronomy in the building. Those booking tickets for family performances should reserve tickets early due to the smaller auditoriums. The compact studio character creates a special closeness that helps younger audiences follow the events with concentration.

Sources:

• Theater Ansbach – Official Website
• Tourism Ansbach – Theater Ansbach
• Nürnberger Nachrichten – Theater Ansbach Must Close Auditorium Immediately
• Fränkische Landeszeitung – Despite Auditorium Closure: Theater Ansbach Continues to Perform
• Ansbach Accessible – Theater Ansbach
• Tourism Ansbach – Parking Rezatwiese East Middle
• meinestadt.de – 100 Songs Premiere June 28, 2025
• fraenkischer.de – Public Discussion on The Fiscal on November 2, 2024