Culture in Schwerin: Mecklenburg State Theater

Author: Harald Braun
Published: March 11, 2025

Curtain up at the Mecklenburg State Theater in Schwerin, © TMV/Tiemann

Everyone who lives in Schwerin and the surrounding area has seen it at least once. Completed between 1883 and 1886, the Mecklenburg State Theatre is an architectural eye-catcher and an absolute must-see when it comes to culture in Schwerin: with its neo-Renaissance façade and neo-Baroque auditorium with 540 seats, it was one of the most progressive theater buildings of its era. Fun fact: Even back then, the theater supplied its electric light - a sensation! – from its own electricity plant.

From the outside, the Mecklenburg State Theater is still an impressive monument today and an important factor in the cultural life of the entire region. But who knows what goes on inside such a building? Who knows what it takes to ensure that all the little wheels mesh together and that such a logistically complex enterprise works every day? After all, the repertoire has to be filled out, every performance prepared, every stage set appropriately designed and constructed. How does such a difficult theater cosmos actually work?

 

The comedian Heinz Erhard once quipped that the authorities are like the theater: "A few work, but most people watch." Sounds funny, but it's not entirely true. Anyone who has the pleasure of looking behind the scenes at the theater in Schwerin learns first of all that there is a lot of magic behind the scenes - and a lot of work. Tina Koball, theater educator at the Mecklenburg State Theater, knows the incredulous amazement of her visitors when she guides them through the mysterious inner workings of her workplace.

Theater teacher Tina Koball can tell a story about many props., © TMV/Tiemann

Amazement in the prop room

Over five million objects are waiting to be used in the Schwerin Theater

The props alone! Around five million items are stored there, from fake beards to real busts, from pinball machines to the oversized town hall bell - which, by the way, will be making its grand entrance in the performance of The Shieldbearers;The Shielded Citizens“ had its grand entrance as part of the 2021 Schlossfestspiele, until it was stowed away again in the theater's wondrous prop catacombs. "Who keeps track of everything here?" visitors ask again and again and can hardly get enough of this magnificent, colorful inventory palace. These are moments that Tina Koball particularly likes: „It simply thrills me when I experience people here who have no real idea about theater yet“, says the theater educator, „especially when they go home afterwards feeling very inspired.“

This is an important part of her job, which she has been doing at the Mecklenburg State Theater since the 2015/2016 season: Introducing young, interested people to the plays in the repertoire, but also to the institution of theater in general. In other words: at best, to awaken a love of theater in all its artistic and logistical facets. Trained as a theater teacher in Osnabrück, the Greifswald native gained important experience in practical theater work with children and young people in Bilbao, Spain, and later in Dusseldorf, Germany, before returning home six years ago. She heads the StarterClub in Schwerin, has also been in charge of the Golden TheaterClub since the 2019 season and took over the entire management of the Theatre Education, Mediation and Participation department in the 2020/2021 season.

Not that hard to create if you have thin sheet metal and padded steel balls available., © TMV/Tiemann

She provides visitors with insights into the world of Schwerin's theater that you wouldn't even suspect as an audience member in front of the stage. Anyone who wanders through the catacombs with Tina Koball or her colleagues will learn, for example, that the iron theater curtain, which separates the stage and auditorium in the event of a fire, is as heavy as two small elephants; a total of five tons – or that with the help of thin metal sheets and many balls hanging from strings, you can create a powerful theatrical thunder that can be heard in the rows of spectators right up to the last seat.

Or how the musicians work in the orchestra pit and the lighting technicians illuminate just under the roof of the theater. And that the theater's workshops are like a combination of carpentry, tailoring and ballet school. After all, who would have thought that the dancers in the theater ensemble would be doing their training pirouettes in a studio right next to the tailors?

Tina Koball can explain exactly how a theater curtain is raised. And what it weighs., © TMV/Tiemann
Tina Koball can explain exactly how a theater curtain is raised. And what it weighs.
Theater guide Tina Koball explains what's on tap for the summer: Shakespeare's "As You Like It.", © TMV/Tiemann
Theater guide Tina Koball explains what's on tap for the summer: Shakespeare's "As You Like It."

No area is off limits when Tina Koball points out the intricacies and special features of the various buildings on her tours of the Mecklenburgisches Sechssparten-Haus and also reveals some corners that may seem rather mysterious at first glance. For example, she draws attention to the vestibule with its striking wings, the tastefully furnished foyer café with its unusual cross-ribbed vault and the pair of Tuscan columns. The grand ducal box with its magnificent gilded stucco work in the rococo style also attracts a great deal of interest during the longer tour through the winding corridors of the Mecklenburg State Theater. These detailed insights show how closely the traditional theater is linked to culture in Schwerin and the special place it occupies in the cultural life of the city.

The view from above on the stage between spotlights, cables and ropes, © TMV/Tiemann

Culture in Schwerin: From the theater's bag of tricks

Three kinds of fake blood for "Dracula" and co.

Tina Koball's enjoyment of her job is clear to see, for example when she talks about the lighting technology on the open-air stage in the castle courtyard on the day of the premiere of the annual Schwerin Castle Festival. The castle festival has been a successful fixture in the cultural life of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 1993. After two decades, the newly renovated inner courtyard of the castle has now also re-established itself as a festival venue. In 2018, the production of „Dracula“ played its way into the hearts of the audience, and the following year it succeeded with a mix of romance and humor in „Cyrano de Bergerac“.

On the subject of Dracula, Tina Koball also comes up with something very interesting: „There are three different types of fake blood in the theater, which are used as required.“ For 2022, the next open-air spectacle is on the program at the Schwerin State Theater: with „As you like it“ Shakespeare is given. It starts on June 23, 2022. Until then, Tina Koball and her colleagues will continue to do their best to ensure that all interested children, young people and adults get to know and experience the magic of theater.

The courtyard in the castle becomes an open-air stage, © TMV/Gänsicke
The courtyard in the castle becomes an open-air stage

You can find out more about "behind the scenes" and culture in Schwerin on the page schwerin.de.

Excursion destinations and events in Schwerin

153 Ergebnisse
  • Dorothea Walz - Water, light, vastness

    • Nächster Termin: 6/7/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/7/25 to 6/9/25
    • Großer Moor, 19055 Schwerin

    Small and large-format paintings in acrylic, oil and mixed media, etchings

    Read more: "Dorothea Walz - Water, light, vastness"
  • © Silke Winkler

    MeckProms: Fire, lust for life!

    • Date: 7/12/25
    • Johannes-Stelling-Straße, 19053 Schwerin

    Picnic concert with the Mecklenburgische Staatskapelle Schwerin

    Read more: "MeckProms: Fire, lust for life!"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    Greenhouse with cavalier house

    • Lennéstraße, 19061 Schwerin

    The Greenhouse and the Kavaliershaus opposite it in Schwerin Palace Gardens form an impressive architectural ensemble designed by Peter Joseph Lenné and Georg Adolph Demmler. Embedded in an extensive landscaped park, they served as a summer residence and symbolize the hospitality of the grand ducal family.

    Read more: "Greenhouse with cavalier house"
  • © Dokumentationszentrum Schwerin

    Documentation Center Schwerin

    • Obotritenring, 19053 Schwerin

    On a total of three exhibition levels, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the different temporal epochs on the regional perspective of the history of political persecution in the 20th century: 1933 - 1945, 1945 - 1953 and 1953 - 1989.

    Read more: "Documentation Center Schwerin"
  • Roofscape, © © Jörg Schmidt - ARS Foto + Consulting GmbH

    Photo tour Schwerin Castle

    • Nächster Termin: 9/7/25
    • Alle Termine: 4/27/25 to 9/7/25
    • Lennéstraße, 19053 Schwerin

    Exclusive guided tour of Schwerin Castle for photographers, visiting areas that are not normally easily accessible

    Read more: "Photo tour Schwerin Castle"
  • © werk3

    Silke Eberhard Trio

    • Date: 6/12/25
    • Friedrichstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    Concert at KlangWert/werk3

    Read more: "Silke Eberhard Trio"
  • © Foto: Marvin Rupper; Design: Tino Hartmann

    Tino Bomelino - WEGEN APOKALYPSE VORVERLEGT - 22nd Schwerin Cabaret Festival

    • Date: 8/23/25
    • Röntgenstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    So cancel your building society savings contracts, pawn your Tamagotchis and buy a ticket for the last solo program in human history!

    Read more: "Tino Bomelino - WEGEN APOKALYPSE VORVERLEGT - 22nd Schwerin Cabaret Festival"
  • Old artillery barracks

    • Johannes Stelling Straße, 19053 Schwerin

    The artillery barracks in Schwerin, built between 1856 and 1861, represent the style of medieval fortress buildings and are a striking example of 19th century military architecture. Its exposed location on Ostorfer Berg and the architectural design underline the political stability of the monarchy at a time of social upheaval.

    Read more: "Old artillery barracks"
  • © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

    Schwerin Castle - Gardens

    • 19053 Schwerin

    Though the Palace outshines almost everything around it, there is one more attraction on that island which you shouldn’t miss. To the left of the main entrance, walking through the castle garden, you will find the charming orangery. It is a delicate construction made of cast iron and glass, a unique example of 19th century architecture and one of a kind in Germany. With its parkways, arcades, flower beds, sculptures, and the cross channel the baroque-style castle garden knows how to impress. The garden is public and open to visitors.

    Read more: "Schwerin Castle - Gardens"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    Grand ducal office building

    • Alexandrinensraße, 19055 Schwerin

    The monumental administration building is located to the northwest of the old town, directly on the Pfaffenteich lake. The building was erected when the Grand Ducal administration moved from Ludwigslust to Schwerin between 1842 and 1845.

    Read more: "Grand ducal office building"
  • © werk3

    Itziar Lesaka and Friedemann Braun in BarockTango

    • Date: 5/17/25
    • Friedrichstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    Itziar Lesaka is better known as an opera singer, but she has been singing tangos for as long as she can remember.

    Read more: "Itziar Lesaka and Friedemann Braun in BarockTango"
  • © Mit freundlicher Genehmigung des Landeshauptarchivs Schwerin

    Sophie Westenholz and Fanny Hensel - Two female composers in the mirror of their time, Schwerin Castle, Throne Room.

    • Date: Today
    • Lennéstraße, 19053 Schwerin

    Conversation concert with works by Sophie Westenholz and Fanny Hensel, née Mendelssohn Bartholdy. With Maša Novosel and Dr. Reinhard Wulfhorst, music publisher.

    Read more: "Sophie Westenholz and Fanny Hensel - Two female composers in the mirror of their time, Schwerin Castle, Throne Room."
  • Night watchman on the bridge looking towards the castle at night., © Michael Kratt

    Tour with the night watchman of Schwerin

    • Nächster Termin: Today
    • Alle Termine: 1/3/25 to 12/26/25
    • Am Markt, 19055 Schwerin

    Tour with the night watchman through the historic old town. Armed with a halberd, illuminated with a lantern, peppered with witty anecdotes - this is how Schwerin at night presents itself.

    Read more: "Tour with the night watchman of Schwerin"
  • © LHS/Stadtbibliothek

    Literary coffee klatch

    • Nächster Termin: 5/22/25
    • Alle Termine: 4/17/25 to 6/19/25
    • Klöresgang, 19053 Schwerin

    The Friends of the City Library e.V. invites you to

    Read more: "Literary coffee klatch"
  • © Thomas Ulrich

    Percussion, cello, dance!

    • Date: 7/17/25
    • Franz Parr Platz, 18273 Güstrow

    Prizewinner in Residence Anastasia Kobekina

    Read more: "Percussion, cello, dance!"
  • Christian Risch in "Lütt Schwerin

    • Nächster Termin: 6/7/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/7/25 to 6/9/25
    • Wittenburger Straße, 19053 Schwerin

    I show paintings, graphics, painted tables, benches, etc.. There are many Schwerin motifs (eg, castle, cathedral, various churches, etc.) to see.

    Read more: "Christian Risch in "Lütt Schwerin"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    Grand ducal linen and bed chamber

    • Großer Moor, 19055 Schwerin

    On behalf of the Grand Duke, architect Hermann Willebrand created the designs for a linen room. In 1878, after the demolition of the previous building, this was supplemented by the construction of a "bed chamber". Willebrand unified both components with a uniform design and a simple classical plaster façade.

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  • © werk3

    KlangWert/werk3 on the road: Location Wichernsaal - For the 1st Advent BODECKER & NEANDER PANTOMIME-THEATER: SNOWED IN

    • Nächster Termin: 11/28/25
    • Alle Termine: 11/28/25 to 11/30/25
    • Friedrichstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    Stories to give you goosebumps.

    Read more: "KlangWert/werk3 on the road: Location Wichernsaal - For the 1st Advent BODECKER & NEANDER PANTOMIME-THEATER: SNOWED IN"
  • © werk3

    New! Matthias Brenner and Cornelia Heyse: Swan song

    • Date: 5/24/25
    • Friedrichstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    A comedy freely adapted from Anton Chekhov Translated from the Russian by Werner Buhss

    Read more: "New! Matthias Brenner and Cornelia Heyse: Swan song"
  • Max Beier - "Love & Order" - 22nd Schwerin Cabaret Festival

    • Date: 8/22/25
    • Röntgenstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    Go there! Because: The rooster is dead, long live the chicken. Or in other words: love and order instead of hate and chaos.

    Read more: "Max Beier - "Love & Order" - 22nd Schwerin Cabaret Festival"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    Ministerial Palace

    • Puschkinstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    On Königsstraße, today Puschkinstraße, opposite Palais Brandenstein, is the prestigious former grand ducal ministerial palace, the rear of which opens onto a largely preserved courtyard.

    Read more: "Ministerial Palace"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    Fridericianum

    • August-Bebel-Straße, 19053 Schwerin

    The prestigious Fridericianum grammar school on the Pfaffenteich in Schwerin was commissioned by Friedrich Franz II and built by Hermann Willebrand in 1868-1870. The elongated, two-storey brick building dominates the eastern shore and combines historical references and modern elements in its architecture. Today it houses the Medical School of Hamburg campus.

    Read more: "Fridericianum"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    Grand Ducal property management

    • Schloßstraße, 19053 Schwerin

    The Grand Ducal House Administration in Schwerin, built between 1883 and 1884 under architect Rudolf Zöllner, is located on the corner of Schloßstraße and Ritterstraße. Originally used as the court marshal's office, the building also served as a savings institution for a time and was connected to the Hotel du Nord in 1920. The architectural highlight features a rusticated base, an ornate central risalit and a slate-covered plateau roof in the Baroque style. Inside, a magnificent hall with a flat vault and filigree tracery is impressive.

    Read more: "Grand Ducal property management"
  • © Kristin Damaschke

    Looked behind the house

    • Nächster Termin: 5/10/25
    • Alle Termine: 5/10/25 to 9/27/25
    • Am Markt, 19055 Schwerin

    Come with us on a discovery tour through Schwerin's Schelfstadt. Together we will explore, among other things, the hidden and beautiful courtyards of Schwerin's famous district.

    Read more: "Looked behind the house"
  • Due to popular demand! Comedy at werk3 Lembcke in Mein bestes Stück

    • Date: 5/31/25
    • Friedrichstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    (The length is not decisive, the numbers must be good)

    Read more: "Due to popular demand! Comedy at werk3 Lembcke in Mein bestes Stück"
  • © Radentscheid Schwerin

    World Heritage bike tour

    • Date: 6/5/25
    • Alter Garten, 19053 Schwerin

    How easy is it to get to the World Heritage Sites in Schwerin by bike?

    Read more: "World Heritage bike tour"
  • The merry widow

    • Nächster Termin: 6/27/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/27/25 to 8/3/25
    • Am Franzosenweg, 19053 Schwerin

    Operetta by Franz Lehár

    Read more: "The merry widow"
  • © © Silke Winkler

    Hotel Savoy

    • Nächster Termin: Today
    • Alle Termine: 4/11/25 to 5/8/25
    • Alter Garten, 19055 Schwerin

    by Joseph Roth

    Read more: "Hotel Savoy"
  • © LHS/Christina Lüdicke

    Spring concert by the Schelfoniker of the Schwerin Conservatory

    • Date: 5/18/25
    • Puschkinstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    Adult orchestra plays in the Schelfkirche

    Read more: "Spring concert by the Schelfoniker of the Schwerin Conservatory"
  • © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

    Catholic Church St. Anna

    • Klosterstraße, 19053 Schwerin

    The catholic church St. Anna is located in the city centre. The building was erected in the late 18th century. There are services and concerts taking place on a regular basis. St. Anna houses a significant collection of antique books and bibles.

    Read more: "Catholic Church St. Anna"

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