Future of the State Theater: Unrest and change of director in Parchim!

Future of the State Theater: Unrest and change of director in Parchim!

Things are simmering at the Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater: the uncertainty about the future of the Schwerin drama ensemble raises questions. The contracts are expiring and not only pose challenges for the actors, but also cause unrest throughout the entire theater business. As the Northern Courier reports, the Junge Staatstheater Parchim is in particular focus because director Thomas Ott-Albrecht is retiring and many questions about the successor are still unanswered.

Major concerns emerged at a recent staff meeting. The possible job cuts were discussed, which heated up tempers. However, the answers to these pressing questions left much to be desired. Meanwhile, three young actors have decided not to renew their contracts, raising further concerns for the cast. But the theater management assures that there are currently no plans for non-renewals for other ensemble members.

Challenging times lie ahead as the next season is expected to be very demanding. The Schwerin Theater will probably have to play in the theater tent, which will demand a lot from the usual cultural visitors. Four new productions as well as a Christmas program and smaller events are planned. A highlight will be the bilingual production for the 100th birthday in collaboration with the Fritz Reuter stage.

Merger and its consequences

A core point of unrest is the mistrust that arose from the merger of the theaters in Schwerin and Parchim. In 2016, the two houses came together to work as the Mecklenburg State Theater. At that time, the contract was signed in a four-hour marathon meeting, which says a lot about the complexity of this merger. This Culture MV The so-called merger has since then greatly changed the image of the theater landscape, which is perceived by many Parchimers as a loss of independence. The plan to have more performances in the M*Halle in Schwerin is also viewed with skepticism, which doesn't exactly arouse enthusiasm in Parchim.

The Parchimer Theaterfreunde association will be involved in the replacement of the director, which could be a positive step. The Ministry of Culture has also assured that subsidies for the theater will be increased and the staffing plan will remain unchanged, which could provide relief. The 26 employees of the Junge Staatstheater, who work within the framework of the staffing plan, are safe, but there are still plans to strengthen technical teams and make new hires in theater education for the 2026/27 season.

Castle Festival 2026

While the future of the houses is still uncertain, the cultural delights are inevitable. The Castle Festival in the Mecklenburg State Theater is scheduled for the summer of 2026 and promises a colorful program. These include top-class events such as the international ballet gala “Connexion #5” and Brecht’s “The Threepenny Opera”. The festival takes place at various locations in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Schwerin, including the castle courtyard, theater tent and Mueß open-air museum. Advance sales start at the end of November and could attract both the region and culture lovers from far away to enjoy the diverse performances.

The coming period will be crucial – both for the ensembles and for the theater landscape in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The challenges are great, but the anticipation of cultural highlights remains.