The Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz stands at Kurfürstendamm 153 in the Wilmersdorf district of Berlin. The building is a conversion of the Universum cinema, built in 1928 to designs by Erich Mendelsohn. The cinema was the centerpiece of the WOGA housing complex. It is possibly the first Modernist cinema in the world, and its design influenced Streamline Moderne cinemas in the 1930s.
The building was heavily damaged in World War II and later rebuilt. From 1978 to 1981 the interiors were completely changed. The main hall has adjustable spaces, and audience and performers are not separated.
The Schaubühne ensemble was founded in 1962. Peter Stein led it from 1970. Thomas Ostermeier became artistic director in 1999, and since 2005 he has led it with Jens Hillje.
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