The new Theatre Director of the Theatre Casino Zug

The Theatre Casino Zug has a new director since November 1: Katrin Kolo. She has found Zug to be an ideal field of action for her - with a tried-and-tested concept that nevertheless offers many development opportunities.

"I haven’t doubted my decision for a single second," says Katrin Kolo. Her conviction that she made a correct and important step in her career in early November, when she became the new artistic director of the Theatre and Music Company of Zug (TMGZ), succeeding Samuel Steinemann, is evident.

The fact that she now occupies this prestigious position proves to the 48-year-old that dreams can actually work - as long as you don’t stop dreaming them. "Even at a young age, my secret desire - probably due to youthful recklessness – was to become the artistic director of a cultural enterprise." After many years working in the field of art and culture, the invitation to succeed Samuel Steinemann was exactly what Katrin Kolo was looking for: the opportunity to join a interesting, multi-purpose organisation with great potential and room for new ideas.

And the new director doesn’t want to exploit this potential by abandoning the previous concept over and replacing it altogether. "I would rather aim to adapt the programme bit by bit. Small shifts within the existing framework are often enough to achieve big, lasting effects.”

The native of Munich comes from a multidisciplinary environment and knows what she's talking about: As an academically trained dancer and a graduate in economics, she has repeatedly held leadership positions, including at the Tanzhaus Zürich or as branch manager of the Festival in Zurich. Her additional degree in Trans-disciplinarity at the Zurich University of the Arts will certainly be of use to her in Zug.

"There's a lot of fun here in Zug", Katrin Kolo (48) has been director of the Theatre Casino since the beginning of November.

The three weeks since assuming office have given Katrin Kolo many insights. "I have great faith in the whole situation here. Much is possible, and much is desired.” As a proven networker with valuable relationships in the national cultural scene and beyond, she sensed this very quickly. She appreciates the direct contact with artists and wants to cultivate and promote them in Zug. "I believe in the creative power of Zug," she says. Katrin Kolo is looking forward to her first official encounter with artists and with the public during two open events (see below).

One of her concrete visions for the Theatre Casino is the greater focus on own and co-productions, provided that the necessary financial conditions can be assured. In this way, the programme could also be better adapted to the needs of the residents of Zug, "because more flexibility will be created".

And it enables a more intensive presentation of culture, because it is a great concern of Katrin Kolo that the local youth should be able to encounter art and culture here, and not have to travel to other cantons for this. Added to this is Zug's position as a " city of newcomers", where a vibrant culture and art scene not only supports integration, but also fosters a feeling of homeland - "and, last but not least, offers an area for productive debate". This confrontation with local cultural events in Zug will now become Katrin Kolos’ daily work – as well as also finding her own home: Shortly after signing the contract with the TMGZ, she found a second home in Zug - a lucky coincidence. She has lived in Switzerland with her family since 2002, and is now naturalized - in Zurich. But the road to Zug is not far, "but it’s always good to get back to your own four walls for a short time to clear your head," she says.

Being together is of paramount importance to Katrin Kolo in times like these. And not only within the Theatre Casino, where several different bodies are at work. "Collaboration between cultural operations in Switzerland basically works very well. It is also something typical of Switzerland to involve people in a process, "adds Katrin Kolo. And Zug is somewhat ahead of of Zurich here, she finds. «I see Zug as a classic “Global Village”, characterised by internationalism, and yet retaining its village character.”

The new director seems to have found a tailor-made field of action for herself in Zug. The TMGZ, which has great confidence in her, is convinced of that. "There's a lot of fun here in Zug," says Katrin Kolo.

Invitation to meet the new director
On Thursday, 28th November, 5 to 7 pm: Aperitif for creative artists in the seat of the TMGZ at the Ägeristrasse 8 in Zug. Registration is required by Tuesday, November 26th.
On Sunday, 15 December, 10-11 a.m. Café and gipfeli for all those interested in the restaurant Theatre Casino. Registration is requested by Thursday, December 12th.

Registration: info@tmgz.ch or phone 041 729 10 50