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Deutsches Theatermuseum
Galeriestr. 4a
80539 München

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Opening hours

Tuesday to Sunday
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

All visitor information

Tickets & Prices

5 € Regular
4 € Reduced
Exhibitions Museum

Research

Library & Collections

Library

Please note: Our library is a reference library.

The books can only be consulted in our reading room.

Opening Hours

Tuesday and Thursday 
11:00 - 17:00 with advance booking

Registration

Please register for the library by e-mail to

Online Research

Please use our OPAC to search for books in the library.

to the OPAC

About our library

The library of the Deutsches Theatermuseum has an extensive collection of around 100,000 volumes specialising in various areas of theatre. In addition to play texts and libretti, secondary literature on all areas of theatre, i.e. spoken, dance and musical theatre, from German-speaking countries is also collected. 

More info

Collections

Requests

Please send enquiries about the collection and holdings of the Deutsches Theatermuseum by email to the following address:



Your enquiry will be forwarded to the relevant specialist department.

Online Research

Parts of the collection can be researched online via the search portal of the Specialised Information Service for the Performing Arts.

to the search portal to Bavarikon

Discover our collections

Here you will find further information on the individual collections of the Deutsches Theatermuseum. From the largest collection of theatre photography in the world to the collection of paintings and production documentation, our holdings offer valuable insights into the history and development of theatre art.

Photo collection

The photo collection of the Deutsches Theatermuseum is considered to be the world's largest collection of theatre photography and comprises around 5 million analogue and digital images. It documents the development of theatre art from its beginnings to the present day. The collection ranges from historical studio photographs to modern productions and offers insights into various aspects of theatre production.

Graphic collection

The graphic collection of the German Theatre Museum comprises around 350,000 objects, including stage and costume pictures as well as theatre portraits. The collection ranges from the early modern period to the present day and includes important works from the Baroque period, the 19th century and the estates of important theatre artists.

Painting collection

The German Theatre Museum's collection of paintings comprises around 225 works, including paintings on canvas, wood and copper. The collection has its origins in the first objects of the court actress Clara Ziegler and has been expanded through donations and bequests. In addition to portraits of members of the stage, there are also scene paintings that document the interplay between painting and theatre.

Collection of theatre models

The German Theatre Museum presents a comprehensive collection of over 400 theatre models that document the development of stage design from antiquity to the present day. The models illustrate the diversity of stagecraft and show both historical reconstructions and modern stage sets.

Collection of written material

The collection includes estates, autographs, theatre archives and reviews from three centuries and offers deep insights into theatre history.

Programme booklet collection

The Deutsches Theatermuseum's programme booklet collection comprises around 500,000 playbills and programme booklets documenting the development of German-language theatre from the 18th century to the present day. The collection covers all theatre genres and reflects the change from simple playbills to modern, multimedia programmes.

Critique collection

The German Theatre Museum's archive of reviews includes newspaper reviews from 1946 onwards, which are organised by production title. This collection offers insights into the history of German-language theatre criticism and documents aesthetic trends, artistic innovations and social reactions.