Opera, ballet, and drama are located in the central complex at Hiltropwall, the https://www.theaterdo.de/philharmoniker/konzerte/ Dortmund Philharmonic also the https://kulturkenner.de/events/konzerthaus-dortmund Concert Hall on Brückstraße, the renowned children's and youth theater on Sckellstraße, and the children's opera in a temporary building next to the drama theater. Due to its innovative formats, the Dortmund Opera was awarded the OPER! AWARD 2023 in early 2023 – as the best opera house of the past year.
The current building of the opera is located at the site of the destroyed synagogue and was realized from 1958 to 1963 according to the plans of the architects Heinrich Rosskotten, Edgar Tritthart, Edgar Frasch, and Josef Clemens. The copper-clad tension dome is the most striking element. As purely decorative, it has also repeatedly faced criticism, as it merely spans the staircases to the upper foyers. The large terrace in front opens the foyer to the city. At the back of the opera house is the drama theater. The workshop wings were renovated in the 2010s and largely completely rebuilt. The children's opera is housed in a temporary building next door. Plans for a new building at this location, which would also accommodate the children's and youth theater, are still underway.
Under the ballet director Xing Peng Wang, who has led the dance department since 2003, the work of the company has been significantly expanded. A rehearsal and training center was created at Westfalenpark, and with the Junior Ballet NRW, a junior company was established that also tours internationally. During his tenure as the drama director from 2010 to 2020, Kay Voges developed the idea of a https://theater.digital/ Academy for Digitality and Theater, which will be based in the Dortmund harbor.
