About us

Since its foundation over 60 years ago the Schaubühne has always re-invented itself and presents contemporary theatre at its best. Notable directors and actors have contributed to its international renown. With Thomas Ostermeier, the artistic director since 1999, the Schaubühne was able to become an international place for modern straight theatre.

The association Freunde der Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz e.V. was founded in 2000 by 20 theatre enthusiasts who wanted to support the new tasks and projects – both ideally and financially. The small club has become a bigger association with ca. 1.700 members (May 2022).

Support us

By being a member the friends show their solidarity with the theatre and are able to support projects that can’t be funded by public subsidies alone. In the past the members supported the FIND festival and have co-financed the trainee in drama education for several seasons.

The association also funds the production of video trailers. Since season 2014/15 members have donated for the new Globe theatre in hall C and are currently donating for the new image campaign.

We are very proud of our solidarity campaign which we arranged for the free artists working for our theatre in 2021. During the corona pandamic they suffered more from economic hardship and seem to have not participated enough from governantal support programmes. Together with the ensemble and the theatre we set up a crowdfunding camgaign as well as an auction. The overall outcome was some 105.000 Euro.

Our events

Friends meet artists. With more than 120 events the members have learnt more about the Schaubühne and its producers. We meet actors and actresses for artist talks and we are informed by directors and dramatic advisors about a new staging. As a member of the association you are invited to guided tours behind the scenes and meet technicians, costume designers, make-up artists etc.

Friends party as well. At the beginning of each season friends meet for a Sunday brunch at the café. The managing directors as well as the artistic director share exclusive insight into their new productions with the members. At the beginning of each year the director invites us to a special evening.

Friends abroad! There is no other German speaking theatre that is so often invited home and abroad than the Schaubühne. Once a year the association offers to travel with the theatre ensemble to a guest performance in a foreign country. A sophisticated cultural programme is part of the journey. Due to the pandemic we could not go abroad during the last two years, but we will travel to Paris again in May 2022.

Membership

Help us support the theatre and become a member. All details can be found here.

Board of directors

Vincent Steinl, chairman
Meral Burul, vice chairwoman
Dr. Jan Bonhage, treasurer
Marco Riedel, secretary to the board
Stefan Hain, board member
Nina Barge, board member
Tobias Veit, Director

Office

Elisabeth Jessen
Katharina Waitz 
Fenja Graf, volonteer

Freunde der Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz e.V.
Registered at Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, VR 19829 B