Dr Christoph Dittrich takes over management of the theatre on 15 April
The designated artistic director of Chemnitz Municipal Theatre, Dr Christoph Dittrich, will take over the management of the theatre on 15 April. This will ensure that Dr Dittrich can make all the necessary preparations for the next 2013/14 season in good time. The current Artistic Director, Dr Bernhard Helmich, will continue to bear artistic responsibility as Artistic Director for the outstanding productions until the end of the current season before moving to Bonn. Mayor Barbara Ludwig informed the Chemnitz City Council of this amicable decision today.
At the same time, the councillors were informed about the theatre's financial situation. Due to the subsidy cap of 25.3 million euros agreed in the development and consolidation concept, there is a clear need for action: The theatre's business plan as part of the 2013 budget shows a deficit of 1.3 million euros, which is mainly due to pay rises. This year, the deficit can be financed from the theatre's reserves. With the expiry of the in-house wage agreements on 31 December 2013, the deficit will increase, meaning that the 2014 budget will have to set the course for the future of the theatre.
The new artistic director Dr Dittrich will therefore develop a concept that relates to the period after 2013 - i.e. after the expiry of the in-house collective agreements. This concept must incorporate artistic, organisational, structural and financial aspects. From 15 April, Dr Dittrich will now have the opportunity to get an idea of the situation on site, to talk to staff and to take responsibility for the theatre as a basis for developing and presenting a concept. The plan is to present the concept to the city council for a decision in the autumn before the 2014 draft budget is submitted.