Kassel's new theater: Aida premiere at INTERIM on October 27th!

Kassel's new theater: Aida premiere at INTERIM on October 27th!

On Friday, October 27, 2025, the interim building of the Kassel State Theater will be ceremoniously opened. The new venue, which was built on the site of the former hunter barracks, is impressive: in less than two years of construction, a multifunctional and modular theater was created that can be dismantled and reused elsewhere. The whole thing is completed with a premiere of the opera “Aida” at the opening.

Project director Bjørn Most is optimistic that the building will be ready in time for the opening. Shortly before the final approval of the construction inspection on Tuesday, safety-relevant systems are already functioning. However, the asphalt work and the catering facilities have fallen a little behind. Delays in the new route from the HNA parking lot to the interim venue are also due to environmental regulations. However, these challenges could be tackled with a committed team.

A solution for renovation needs

The construction, which has become necessary on an interim basis, is also due to the significant need for renovation of the upper and lower machinery of the existing opera house. As early as 2018, it was determined that without measures the stage technical transformations would no longer be possible. The machines were shut down in the summer of 2023, and so a functioning replacement venue was essential, which is why the non-profit housing association of the city of Kassel mbH (GWG) acted as the initiator.

For the construction of the interim, the company NUSSLI was selected as the general contractor as part of a Europe-wide procurement process. The city of Kassel rents the temporary structure from the GWG and sublets it to the State Theater. The city receives financial support from the state of Hesse, which covers 80 percent of the costs for the use of the interim and the planned renovation of the opera house. The view into the future is enriched by long-term urban development of the entire area, which envisages around 200 new apartments and a neighborhood garage by 2027.

Opportunities and challenges

The project not only revolutionized the theater's architecture, but also demonstrated the importance of motivation and teamwork. Digital conferences and the involvement of everyone involved were crucial for the successful implementation. As the example shows, openness is very important when solving problems. Inquiries from other municipalities, especially from Frankfurt, also show that there is great interest in this innovative project.

While the official opening is imminent, the open day on November 1st from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. invites visitors to get to know the changeability of the space and the innovative structure of the building. The versatility of the new theater and the associated cultural offerings are very popular and accessible to all citizens. The focus on sustainability was a central point in the planning from the beginning and will continue to play a role in the future.

Thanks to such promising initiatives, there is great hope that the Kassel theater landscape will not only master the challenges of the present, but also give new impetus to the culture of a broad public. Because if something is well thought out, you can count on good hands!

For more information about the construction progress and the future offers that await visitors in the new venue, it is advisable to follow the official information channel of the city of Kassel: kassel.de, while current reports about the new theater building appear hna.de can be found. The experiences surrounding the renovation of the State Theater in Stuttgart also provide valuable information on how such large-scale projects can be successfully implemented staatsoper-stuttgart.de can be read.