Accessibility and breakdown of barriers
Under the theater+ banner, we bring together a range of initiatives through which Theater & Orchester Heidelberg enables people with varying needs to enjoy a visit to the theatre.
theater+
Barriers can affect us all: sometimes they are present from birth, and sometimes they arise later in life – whether due to age, illness or temporary mobility issues.
Our programmes span all areas and are designed to make your cultural experience easier, whatever your needs may be. We offer workshops and theatre tours that are designed with inclusion in mind and are therefore open to people with and without disabilities.
We also offer an inclusive play club in partnership with the Karlstorbahnhof and Lebenshilfe – funded as part of the »Kultur macht stark« initiative.
Contact
If you have any questions, requests or comments regarding theatre+, please feel free to contact Ellen Brüwer, Officer for Special Projects, Inclusion and Funding, or City Dramaturge Jana Gmelin at any time:
→ +49 6221 5835 613
→ theaterplus [at] theater.heidelberg.de
Breaking down barriers isn’t just an added bonus – it’s the principle that guides us in making our theatre accessible to everyone. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, simply contact our box office. We’ll be happy to help ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.
→ +49 6221 5820 000
→ tickets [at] theater.heidelberg.de
Buy tickets
People with severe disabilities (GdB 50 or above) are entitled to a 50% discount upon presentation of valid proof. If the ID card is marked with a »B«, the accompanying person receives a free ticket.
Exceptions:
- At the Heidelberg Castle Festival: €5 discount per ticket
- Separate rules apply to »Dot and Anton«.
For advice and bookings, please contact the theatre box office:
→ +49 6221 5820 000
→ tickets [at] theater.heidelberg.de
For people with reduced mobility
Step-free access
- Marguerre-Saal: 5 wheelchair spaces in the stalls
- Alter Saal: 6 wheelchair spaces in the stalls
- Zwinger, Bühne 1: 8 wheelchair spaces
- Zwinger, Bühne 2: 10 wheelchair spaces; access to Stage 2 via a stairlift (up to 225 kg)
- Konzerthaus Stadthalle Heidelberg: 6 wheelchair spaces
The cloakrooms and toilet facilities are accessible without steps; however, in the Zwinger this is only possible via a stairlift (up to 225 kg).
For advice and to book wheelchair spaces, please contact the theatre box office:
→ +49 6221 5820 000
→ tickets [at] theater.heidelberg.de
The theatre box office is accessible via a ramp with no steps.
For people with reduced mobility, we offer »Acessible Guided Tours« on request. Please contact Ellen Brüwer or Jana Gmelin.
For people with hearing impairments
Inductive hearing systems
- Inductive hearing systems are available in the Marguerre-Saal, the Alter Hall and the Zwinger, Bühne 1, to improve the quality of hearing for those wearing hearing aids.
- Please set your hearing aid to T-mode before the event.
- For the best possible listening experience, we recommend rows 2 to 13 in the stalls in the Marguerre-Saal and rows 1 to 7 in the stalls in the Alter Saal.
- Not sure whether your hearing aid is compatible? Ask for advice at a specialist shop.
Interpreting into German Sign Language (DGS)
- German Sign Language is the mother tongue of many deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
- During an interpreting session, interpreters simultaneously translate the spoken text on stage into DGS.
- Dates for performances featuring DGS during the 2026/27 season will be published here, in the online schedule and in the monthly programme.
For people with hearing impairments, we offer guided tours with DGS interpreting on request. Please contact Ellen Brüwer or Jana Gmelin.
For people with visual impairments
Audio Description (AD)
- Visual events on stage are described verbally in real time during the performance. This enables blind and visually impaired people to better follow what is happening on stage.
- You will receive the AD via headphones connected to a personal receiver.
- The dates for performances with audio description in the 2026/27 season will be published in the online programme and in the monthly leaflet.
Tactile tour before the performance
- For selected performances with AD, we also offer a tactile tour before the performance: under the guidance of our guides, explore selected props, costumes or the set design with your hands.
- Our guides will provide you with additional information about the costumes, set design and the characters.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at the venues of the Heidelberg Theatre & Orchestra. You may take your assistance dog right up to your seat and keep it with you throughout the performance. We recommend that you book seats at the edges of the auditorium via the online shop or at the box office, so that your assistance dog has sufficient space.
For anyone who appreciates a more relaxed theatre atmosphere
Relaxed Performances
- Selected performances take place in a particularly calm and low-stimulus atmosphere. They are aimed at people who feel more comfortable in a more relaxed theatre setting, such as those on the autism or neurodivergent spectrum, or people with sensory sensitivities.
- Intense lighting and sound effects are minimised, and the auditorium remains softly lit. Alternative seating options are available, such as sofas and floor cushions, as well as a quiet room offering a place to retreat. You may leave and re-enter the auditorium at any time during the performance. This creates an open and relaxed atmosphere for everyone.
- Dates for Relaxed Performances in the 2026/27 season can be found in the online programme and the monthly leaflet.
Content notes – Information on sensitive content
We aim to create theatre that surprises and stirs the soul, that provokes thought and challenges the audience. To this end, we seek to portray the world in all its nuances. As a result, our productions may occasionally include themes, depictions or language that some people may find offensive, overwhelming or hurtful. We therefore include a corresponding note on the relevant production page on our website for productions that we consider particularly sensitive in this regard.
To make texts easier to understand
Surtitles
- Surtitles are written translations of the spoken or sung text and are displayed above the stage.
- Surtitles help the audience to understand the plot and the dialogue.
- This enables people with hearing impairments or who have difficulty understanding spoken language to actively follow the performance.
- Surtitles are also particularly helpful for plays and operas in other languages.
- You can find performance dates with surtitles in the online programme and in the monthly leaflet.
Plain language
We will make selected content on our website available in plain language. Plain language uses short sentences and easy-to-understand words. It helps people to read and understand information more easily.
Accessible guided tours
Discover Theater & Orchester Heidelberg with an accessible look behind the scenes. The theatre tour is available as a tactile tour, with interpretation in German Sign Language (DGS), with a mobile induction loop system, and as a wheelchair-accessible tour with no steps.
We offer accessible theatre tours on request. Please contact
Ellen Brüwer and Jana Gmelin:
→ +49 6221 5835 613
→ theaterplus [at] theater.heidelberg.de
