Theater has an almost 250-year tradition in Meiningen. It experienced its heyday during the reign of George II of Saxe-Meiningen, who not only directed the fortunes of the state, but was also the creative head of the theater. He designed the stage sets, costumes and props. He went down in European theater history as the founder of a form of director's theater. From 1874 to 1890, the ensemble toured throughout Europe. With original stage sets, costumes, props, figurines and playbills, the "Zauberwelt der Kulisse" theater museum provides a multi-layered insight into the great days of Meiningen theater.