Insolvency shock for Landestheater Upper Palatinate: Future uncertain!

Insolvency shock for Landestheater Upper Palatinate: Future uncertain!

Vohenstrauß. A nightmare for the Landestheater Upper Palatinate: On October 31, 2024, the LTO reported bankruptcy! The shock message hit the 20 employees full-time and part-time as well as numerous artists, including the writer Bernhard Setzwein. Managing Director Wolfgang Meidenbauer and the Weiden Member of the Landtag Stephan Oetzinger are in constant exchange with Minister of State Markus Blume to cope with the dramatic situation.

The alarm bells rang when Meidenbauer abruptly announced his resignation after eight years. The financial framework and the enormous loads that were tightened by the Corona pandemic led to bankruptcy. Despite successful productions such as "everyone" and "Anatevka", the financial bottlenecks could not be overcome. "The planned restructuring could not be implemented," said LTO spokeswoman Verena Neumann. The theater fans who have already bought tickets for the current season now have to worry about their investments.

Political support and future prospects

Oetzinger emphasizes that bankruptcy is not due to the lack of support from the Free State. "We have invested over 3 million euros in the LTO since it was founded," he explains. The Stadtbühne Vohenstrauß e.V. and other grants are now exploring alternative solutions to secure the professional theater operation in the northern Upper Palatinate. "We are ready to support an initiative for professional theater," continued Oetzinger. An insolvency administrator will now examine the situation and show perspectives for the future of the theater.

The dramatic turn for the Landestheater Upper Palatinate raises questions: How will the culture develop in the region? Will there be a rescue for the theater? The coming weeks will be crucial to clarify the future of the LTO and possibly create a new structure.