New artistic director of the Theater Casino confirmed

Following the departure of Katrin Kolo in March 2021 (we reported), the artistic direction of the TMGZ has been carried out on ad interim by Phil Dankner. The theatre and music company has now announced that Ute Haferburg will take over the post – and at the same time the overall management of the Casino Zug.

Phil Dankner has led the TMGZ (Theater- und Musikgesellschaft Zug / Theatre and Music Society Zug) as artistic director on a temporary mandate basis since the spring of 2021, but a new, full-time artistic director has now been found: the board of the TMGZ and the foundation board of the Theatre Casino Zug Foundation (STCZ) elected Ute Haferburg as the new managing director of the Theatre Casino Zug on 18 January. A total of around 30 applications were thereby received for the job. "Ute Haferburg, a theatre director, cultural manager and dramaturgist who has experience in the Swiss and European theatre world, will take over the artistic and executive management of the house," writes the TMGZ. Ute Haferburg is looking forward to the attractive and exciting challenge.

The fact that the artistic director will also be taking over the overall management of the house is an innovation here. Johannes Stöckli, President of the TMGZ and Vice President of the Board of Trustees TCZ, explains: "Ute Haferburg will not only be responsible for all artistic topics, but also for operational matters, and will be hired in this function jointly by the TMGZ and the Theatre Casino Zug Foundation." The reason for this structural adjustment is the aim to sustainably strengthen and maintain the umbrella brand "Theatre Casino Zug". "And it offers 'everything from a single source' for the guests of the house." According to Johannes Stöckli, the aim is to simplify the processes and to use the available resources more efficiently in accordance with the service agreements with the city and canton. "The realignment thereby allows both institutions to work together even more closely, and to make optimal use of synergies."

Ute Haferburg is the new artistic director and at the same time overall director of the Theatre Casino Zug
Image: PD

Many years of practical experience
Johannes Stöckli is convinced that, with Ute Haferburg, the TMGZ has found a woman with the reputation and experience that is necessary for this task: "She convinced everyone with her concepts and ideas." In addition to her distinguished track record in the long-standing management of a comparable organisation – the Theatre Chur – in a city of a similar size, she also brings along a very broad network and many years of experience in stage art, with many successful projects – both nationally and internationally. "And finally, there is her winning nature," he adds.

Foundation Board President Karl Kobelt believes that: "with her competence, experience and ideas, she is a perfect fit for the Theatre Casino Zug."

According to information from the TMGZ, the designated managing director has already successfully managed several cultural institutions. She was responsible for the founding and development of the Gare du Nord in Basel from 2001 to 2008, and worked as chief dramaturge at the Vlaamse Opera Antwerp from 2008, and was then the managing and artistic director of the Theatre Chur for ten years from 2010. She has been Managing Director of the newly founded Kulturplatz Davos from January 2021, and is also a member of several cultural committees. With these prerequisites, Ute Haferburg promises to continue to provide a high level cultural programme in Zug, with top-class guest performances from Germany and abroad, as well as the networking and promotion of the regional and Swiss theatre scene. She says: "In terms of location, architecture and its varied possibilities as a place of cultural and culinary experiences, the Theatre Casino Zug is a jewel of which all Zug residents can be proud. I am delighted to be able to lead the Theatre Casino Zug into the future, with its great potential."

Ute Haferburg will start work immediately on a part-time basis and will further develop the programme prepared for the 22/23 season. She will take over both the management and the artistic direction of the Theatre Casino Zug in full from 1 August 2022. The TMGZ will provide detailed information about Ute Haferburg's concrete ideas for programming and house at a later date.