Theater crisis in Senftenberg: Director Daniel Ris is under pressure!

Theater crisis in Senftenberg: Director Daniel Ris is under pressure!

The decision not to extend Daniel Ris' contract as director of the Neue Bühne Senftenberg is currently causing big waves in Brandenburg. On July 7, 2025, there was a broad declaration of solidarity from directors from the region who reacted to this news with surprise. In a press release published on nachtkritik.de, it becomes clear how important trust is in cultural-political processes and that the protection of the Senftenberg theater location should have top priority.

In recent years, Daniel Ris has left a lasting impression not only on the press but also on the audience with record capacity utilization and consistently positive feedback. But the exact reason for the decision not to renew remains unclear, which prompted the directors in Brandenburg to demand a transparent explanation, as can be read in an article on lr-online.de. The German Stage Association has also already reacted to the situation and said that the reports had caused considerable irritation.

Political influences in the cultural sector?

In the last few days there has been repeated speculation about political influence, particularly with regard to the AfD. The German Theater Association emphasizes that a public theater program should not be politically controlled, which reinforces the prevailing concerns. Political influence could be a significant factor in the decision affecting Daniel Ris. Demands for a clear stance and a fair procedure are becoming louder.

The topic is also discussed on the homepage of the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district. Neither District Administrator Siegurd Heinze nor Mayor Andreas Pfeiffer have publicly explained the reasons for the decision. The uncertainty about the background contributes to the unrest in the cultural sector.

The role of cultural promotion

In Germany, cultural funding is generally carried out by the federal states and is therefore a sensitive topic. According to ndr.de there is no central “Federal Ministry of Culture” in Germany. Current events raise concerns that cultural policy could become politicized. The CDU and AfD have already commented on federal cultural funding, while the SPD is calling for greater support for cultural institutions.

Overall, it can be said that the decision surrounding Daniel Ris is another example of the complex entanglements between culture, politics and public perception. The voices calling for transparent and fair cultural policy are becoming louder and developments in Senftenberg will likely continue to be closely monitored in the future.