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Sonja Anders will take over the Thalia Theater from August 1, 2025
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Christophe Gateau / picture alliance / dpa
Sonja Anders will take over the directorship of Hamburg's Thalia Theater in the summer of 2025. The 57-year-old succeeds Joachim Lux, who has been in charge of the house at Alstertor since 2009.
Born in Hamburg, she is currently the director of the Hanover Theatre.
"Sonja Anders convinced the selection committee with creative ideas for a sensual theater of the future," said Hamburg's Senator for Culture Carsten Brosda (SPD) on Wednesday.
She will continue to expand the Thalia Theater as a place where socially relevant topics are staged.
In the house's 175-year history, Anders is the first woman to direct the theatre.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge"
In addition to the Hamburg theaters Kampnagel, Deutsches Schauspielhaus and Thalia Theater, Anders has also worked at the Staatstheater Stuttgart and as chief dramaturge at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin.
Since the 2019/20 season she has been director of the Schauspiel Hannover, which has been invited to several renowned theater festivals under her direction.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge and to returning to my hometown and a house with many good memories," said Anders.
The Thalia Theater with space for around 1000 spectators is, together with the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, the most important theater in Hamburg.
The directors included Boy Gobert (1969-1980), Jürgen Flimm (1985-2000) and Ulrich Khuon (2000-2009).
evh/dpa
