About us
The Theater im Depot is work place, production and performance venue for the Independent Performing Arts in Dortmund, supporting equally professional and non-professional theatre practitioners. Based at the Kulturort Depot – a historic tram depot in Dortmund’s Nordstadt district – it provides a stage and spaces for local groups, as well as artists from the Ruhr region, North Rhine-Westphalia and on a national and international scale.
Under the motto ‘Dance – Theatre – Performance – Laboratory – Encounter’, it brings together diverse aesthetic approaches, audience groups and levels of programmatic reflection on the present. Together with the wider community, it nurtures and establishes structures for an independent arts and culture scene accessable for many, it promotes exchange and encounters, provides space for experimentation and freedom, and contributes to community building. The Theater im Depot sees itself as a social practice: a space for participation, co-creation and cultural diversity.
Traditionally the evening’s artistic programme is based on theatre, dance and performance projects from Dortmund’s independent scene and the surrounding area of North Rhine-Westphalia. Many professional local groups with close ties to the theatre’s history, as well as participants from its former in-house theatre group, regularly rehearse, co-produce and present their work here. Likewise Similarly, the Theater im Depot serves as a home base and collaborative partner for various socio-culturally oriented theatre and dance projects. Particular attention is paid to the various groups within the ‘Tanzwerkstatt’.
The Theater im Depot is a member of the NRW State Office for Independent Performing Arts and, since April 2025, has also been part of the Network of Independent Theatres, which facilitates extensive collaboration between theatres across Germany.
It receives institutional funding as part of the centre funding programme run by the City of Dortmund’s Cultural Office, as well as from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Renewal
During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, under the artistic direction of Jens Heitjohann (2021/22 – 2025/26), the theatre was successfully steered into a new chapter and established itself as a hub within the wider network of the Independent Performing Arts. The artistic programme was characterised by contemporary dance, performance, performance theatre, documentary theatre, experimental and digital formats, and all manner of hybrid forms including works seeking a connection to formats from the visual arts.
In addition to classical stage productions, works were also presented in the theatre’s urban surroundings, as well as works for the digital space. A production studio for digital projects was set up, equipped for VR and AR productions. Furthermore, as part of its engagement with the digital arts, Heitjohann initiated and curated the internationally acclaimed Beyond Gravity Festival (2023 and 2025).
During this period, the theatre’s guiding principles and key objectives were reformulated and firmly established. Work began on developing the structure of the cultural institution in a participatory manner, involving stakeholders from the theatre’s immediate neighbourhoods. A prime example of this was the founding of A29, a new space designed to facilitate ongoing, process-oriented collaboration with people from the local area.
Historical Notes
Industrial heritage at its best: Since Depot e.V. took over the old tram depot (built in 1915/16), the Theater im Depot has been staging performances in various spaces within the building. The non-profit association ‘Verein zur Förderung freier Theaterarbeit e.V.’ was founded in autumn 1995 to act as the theatre’s supporting organisation. The association’s aim is to promote art and culture, in particular by supporting independent amateur and professional theatre groups.
In 2001, the theatre moved into a modern theatre space, well-equipped and a 330 square metre auditorium with 184 seats. It ranks among the largest independent theatres in North Rhine-Westphalia. The theatre is part of the Depot Dortmund cultural complex, which, together with its 35 different tenants, offers a varied programme.
Kulturort Depot
Once the main streetcar workshop of the municipal transport company, the Kulturort Depot is now a place for art and culture. More than 35 individuals, societies, associations and offices have settled in the building since it opened in 2001. From architecture and design to photography and the visual and performing arts - the Kulturort Depot Dortmund combines everything under one large roof. The program includes exhibitions, theater, dance, cinema, markets, fairs and various workshops.
Website: www.depotdortmund.de
