Faces in HELLERAU – Isabelle Zschömitzsch, #2 – 2026

In our “Faces” series, we introduce the people who, both on stage and behind the scenes at HELLERAU, ensure that everything runs smoothly and that our guests feel at home.

How long have you been working at HELLERAU and what are your responsibilities?

I’ve been working here since July 2021 as Head of Visitor Services. My three main responsibilities are ticketing, managing the visitor centre and liaising with the admissions staff.

When it comes to ticketing, for example, I create the events in the ticketing system and set the prices. This is done in close consultation with the communications and program team, as well as with the administrative director. When advance sales begin, I make the events available for sale. In addition, I set discount rates, coordinate partnerships with other venues, plan ticket promotions, analyse visitor statistics and review revenue statements.

Otherwise, I look after visitor services and ensure that guests, as well as our loyal HELLERAU cardholders, feel looked after when they visit us. I also ensure that guests are well informed about our venue and the garden city of Hellerau, and that they can take part in guided tours offered by the Deutscher Werkbund Sachsen e.V.

Another area of my work involves organising the admissions staff. I plan the rota for the staff who manage admissions at our events, man the box office, look after the cloakroom or direct vehicles in the car park. We work closely with our service provider, Power GmbH, on this. Overall, I ensure that our audience feels at home at HELLERAU and is keen to return.

But you have even more responsibilities, namely event protocol and tourism. What does that involve?

On special occasions, such as the opening of a season or a festival, and at premieres, we invite various representatives from politics, the cultural sector and other communities and organisations. In consultation with the theater’s directors, I handle matters such as: Who should be invited? Are we addressing the person correctly? How will the invited guests receive their tickets?

Tourism is the fifth pillar of my work; it’s about how we spark tourists’ curiosity and draw their attention to HELLERAU. Of course, this also means we do a great deal of networking, meet with other tourism stakeholders and effectively communicate what HELLERAU is and what we stand for. The aim is to make HELLERAU so attractive to tourists that visitors to Dresden will definitely want to visit HELLERAU.

What particular events or challenges have stuck in your memory?

I remember very well the first piece I saw live here in July 2021: “Ghost Girls” by Kristin Mente. For me, that’s one of the best pieces I’ve experienced here. I found the story of the Radium Girls, which began in the USA around 100 years ago, fascinating. And I was impressed by the staging with the glow-in-the-dark colors and by Seraphina Detscher’s dance performance. As for major projects, the Tanzplattform Deutschland 2026, which took place this March, really stands out in my memory. Together with Nicole Meier, who was in charge of accrediting the professionals, I managed the entire ticketing process for five venues here in Dresden. Apart from that, I really enjoy our team outings and the events and garden parties that take place here in the Kulturgarten. And the grand opening of the East Wing in September 2025 was, of course, fantastic too.

What do you particularly like about HELLERAU?

The wide variety of people who come to the events. I love it when the forecourt has a festival atmosphere and is bustling with people, sitting in deckchairs and enjoying the sun. Then they go inside, watch a piece, come back out, have a drink or something else, and chat about the work. That really is something special.

And what are your hopes for the future of HELLERAU?

I hope that HELLERAU remains a vibrant place, open to all generations. And also that the garden city of Hellerau becomes better known as a cultural gem with a laid-back atmosphere, without losing any of its unique character.