Overview
- Theater Plauen‑Zwickau presented its 2026/27 lineup under the motto “Ganz. Schön. Mutig.” despite a forecast €1.3 million shortfall this year.
- Management said reserves are used up and liquidity will not cover bills next year unless public support grows.
- To curb costs, the house cut three large productions per season, trimmed guest and staging budgets, left vacancies open, and reduced symphony concerts to six.
- Across the region, Görlitz/Zittau projects deficits of €1.7 million in 2026, €2.6 million in 2027, and €3.2 million in 2028, while a Kulturraum‑Theater merger with Bautzen is being studied but is not expected to ease near‑term gaps.
- Theatres call for index‑linked subsidies and reform of the Kulturraumgesetz, Saxony’s cultural funding law, as payroll makes up over 80% of costs, with Plauen‑Zwickau adding only a modest four‑year €250,000 federal “Lokal” grant to support new work.