Hans Otto Theater, Potsdam

The Hans Otto Theatre is a prominent municipal theatre in Potsdam, named after the renowned actor Hans Otto. The theatre complex includes several performance spaces: the Großes Haus, a modern stage building opened in 2006 with 485 seats; the historic Reithalle with 162 seats; the smaller Reithalle Box; and an open-air summer stage at the Tiefen See.

The main building of the Hans Otto Theatre, the Großes Haus, was constructed between 2003 and 2006. Designed by architect Paul Böhm, in collaboration with his father Gottfried Böhm, the theatre's distinctive five-story structure features cantilevered, shell-shaped roofs, utilizing concrete, glass, and steel. A listed gas holder was incorporated into the design, and a former chicory mill, now housing a restaurant, adjoins the building on the Tiefen See side. The theatre's upper foyer and stage hall have expansive glass windows offering views of the Havel River and Park Babelsberg, with the capability to darken the hall for evening performances fully.

The auditorium of the Großes Haus can accommodate up to 485 spectators and is equipped with 50 lifting platforms that allow for flexible adjustment of the seating arrangement. The stage is also outfitted with a backstage area that opens to the interior of the integrated Gasometer and includes an orchestra pit, making it versatile for musical theatre productions. The theatre’s eventful journey from 1988 to 2006, including the challenges faced during its development, is documented in Klaus Wunder’s film ''Theater without End for a Happy Ending - Theater Construction in Potsdam".