The theater in Gera was completed in 1902 according to the designs of architect Heinrich Seeling. He created one of the most modern and unusual theater buildings of his time, as he combined a theater and a concert hall under one roof. Architecturally, the building represented the characteristic historicizing mixed style of the time. While the façade is in the Neo-Renaissance style, the ornamental elements are strongly dominated by Art Nouveau. The theater was closed in 1944 due to the war, but the curtain opened again in September 1945 with Mozart's „The Marriage of Figaro“. After a fire broke out during a guest performance in 1963, extensive changes were made to the building to repair the damage. The new design was accompanied by modernization and met with great incomprehension among theatre-goers, so that the old state was restored. In the summer of 1999, the 552 seats in the auditorium were replaced. A general refurbishment took place from 2005-2007, during which the entire building was restored to its original state and the technology was brought up to date. A magnificent chandelier shines on the ceiling of the auditorium, which is decorated with golden foliage. Both the two tiers, the mirrored windows and the golden-framed stage portal are festively and gloriously illuminated. With musical theater, ballet, drama, the philharmonic orchestra and the puppet theater, from traditional pieces of high culture and light entertainment to sophisticated children's and youth plays and popular shows for the whole family, the theaters in Altenburg and Gera cater to a variety of tastes and age groups and reach around 150,000 people a year. The outstanding ensembles of the five sections are known beyond the borders of Thuringia for the highest quality and innovative artistic aspects.