Volksbühne Düsseldorf kick-starts fresh season with unexpected offerings
The Düsseldorf Volksbühne, a cultural institution, plans to expand its offerings, including cultural tours, as revealed by board chairman Werner Sesterhenn at the unveiling of the upcoming season. The Dormagen-based company Kultour Natour Touristik has been secured as a partner for these travel experiences.
The itinerary includes a January 2024 trip to Hamburg, featuring musical highlights at the Elbphilharmonie, a July 2024 visit to the Bregenz Festival, and a programmed trip to Dresden. If the tours prove successful, Sesterhenn contemplates extending the program.
These travels are exclusive to Volksbühne members, who will also enjoy access to discounted tickets for events in and around Düsseldorf. Membership of the association costs just €8 per year, providing access to tickets discounted by up to 50% for over 800 events at 70 venues. Last season saw the Volksbühne sell approximately 51,000 tickets, nearly 15,000 more than the previous year, although this increase was partly due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the travel offerings, Sesterhenn has announced a theater project, "Alma Rosé," in collaboration with Czech partners. This production tells the story of Viennese violinist Alma Rosé, who was imprisoned in the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she led the girls' orchestra until her death in 1944. The premiere is scheduled for May 7, 2024.
The Düsseldorf Volksbühne has also established a partnership with the Volksbühne Chemnitz. In the coming year, Chemnitz visitors will travel to Düsseldorf, and in 2025, Düsseldorfers will visit Chemnitz, which will be the European Capital of Culture.
To modernize, digitalize, and appeal to a younger audience, Sesterhenn has appointed a new managing director, Sascha Hildering. The Volksbühne office, staffed by eight full-time employees, aims to increase advertising, boost social media presence, and facilitate speedy bookings.
Plans to renovate the homepage and simplify online ticket purchases are in progress, with Hildering pointing out the need to cater to today's more spontaneous ticket-buying habits. Initial steps in this direction include using a newsletter for last-minute event announcements, with tickets to be picked up at the box office.
The number of Volksbühne members currently stands at around 7,500, down from over 10,000 before the Coronavirus outbreak. The non-profit association generates an annual turnover of approximately €450,000 from sources including ticket sales, membership fees, rents from its own property, and support from sponsors.
Adhering to the theater environment's ongoing recovery, the Volksbühne's season opening on August 20 in the Schauspielhaus is almost sold out. Stefan Fischer-Fels, the young artistic director of the Schauspiel Düsseldorf, will host the event, featuring contributions from various fields such as cabaret, theater, opera, and puppetry. A 100-page schedule outlining the following season's events is available.
Members can anticipate a new lifestyle experience with the Volksbühne's travel offerings, featuring journeys to Hamburg, Bregenz Festival, and Dresden, as well as a home-and-garden renovation of their digital platforms to cater to a younger audience.
