Theater Geert Teis in Stadskanaal
Theater Geert Teis is the 628-seat regional theatre in the centre of Stadskanaal: one hall, one price rank, free parking next door and bus stops four minutes away.
Photo credits
The exterior of Theater Geert Teis on Geert Teisplein in Stadskanaal.: Gouwenaar · Public domain
Quick answers
- Capacity
- 628 seats in one intimate hall
- Address
- Geert Teisplein 29501 VL Stadskanaal
- Location
- Centre of Stadskanaal, free parking next door
- Public transport
- Bus stops 4 min away; bus station 8 min
- Evening shows
- Usually start 20:00; doors open 19:00
- Tickets
- One price for every seat, no ranks
- Food
- Teis Borrel €15 p.p.; 3-course menu €42.50
- Wheelchair access
- Yes, with spaces booked via the box office
- Contact
- +31 599 631731
Theater Geert Teis agenda: upcoming events
Tonight, this week and the months ahead at this venue in Stadskanaal.
Last night at Theater Geert Teis: TikTok Tammo
January 2027
February 2027
Plan your visit to Theater Geert Teis
How many seats does Theater Geert Teis have?
The theatre seats 628 people in one hall, 231 fewer than De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen and 277 fewer than De Lawei in Drachten.
- Main hall
- 628 seats
- Price ranks
- One rank; every seat the same price
- 1997 renovation
- Capacity raised from 560 to 630
- Balconies
- Reached by stairs only; no lift
628 is the theatre's own current figure: the intimate hall where, in its words, 628 guests sit on the artist's lap. The number is close to the 630 seats the theatre reached after its 1997 rebuild, when the front balcony was enlarged and the capacity rose from 560 to 630.
There is one hall and one price rank. Every seat in the room costs the same, whether you sit on the ground floor or on a balcony. That makes the capacity easy to use: a sold-out show means 628 people, no more and no fewer.
For private events the theatre also rents the foyer and meeting space, but the fixed theatre capacity is the 628-seat hall. If you are comparing venues for a large conference or a big touring production, the table below puts the hall next to two regional theatres that publish their own main-hall figures.
| Venue | Place | Main hall | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theater Geert Teis | Stadskanaal | 628 seats | theatergeertteis.nl |
| De Nieuwe Kolk | Assen | 859 seats | denieuwekolk.nl |
| De Lawei | Drachten | 905 seats | lawei.nl |
Where will I sit at Theater Geert Teis?
There is one rank, so every seat costs the same; seat numbers run in an even and an odd section, and the balconies are reached by stairs only.
- Price rank
- One rank; the same price everywhere
- Numbering
- Even and odd sides; 7 and 9 are adjacent
- Balcony
- Stairs only; there is no lift
- Wheelchair spaces
- Book through the box office only
- Cushions and boosters
- At the information desk
The hall is divided into an even and an odd side. That is why your seat numbers may look non-consecutive: seats 7 and 9 are next to each other, and so are 8 and 10. The theatre places tickets from one order together, whether you book two, three or six seats, except when a show is almost sold out.
The ground floor is the step-free part of the hall. The balconies are only reachable by stairs; there is no lift in the theatre. If stairs are difficult, book ground-floor seats or ask the box office to keep you downstairs.
Wheelchair users get a special place in the hall, booked through the box office rather than online. A wheelchair space replaces a theatre seat, so there is no extra chair in that spot. The theatre also has an accessible toilet.
Seat plans are linked from the technical information page, and the box office can talk you through the room if you are choosing between the floor and a balcony. Cushions for small adults and booster seats for children are available at the information desk.
- Pick your own seat on the seat map when you book online; tickets from one order are kept together.
- Need a ground-floor seat or a wheelchair space? Call 0599-631 731 instead of booking online.
How do I buy tickets for Theater Geert Teis?
Buy online, by phone or at the box office; every seat is the same price, and online orders carry a €1.00 fee.
Tickets are sold online, by phone and at the box office. Online you choose your own seat and pay €1.00 per order in administration costs. Phone and mail orders cost €1.50, the box office also €1.50, an invoice €4.50 and an e-invoice with payment link €1.00. E-tickets are free; posting tickets costs €2.50.
The box office is open Wednesday to Friday from 13:00 to 15:00 and one hour before every performance. The theatre itself opens one hour before the start, so the doors are open at 19:00 for a 20:00 show.
If you pay cash, collect your tickets within two weeks; unpaid reservations can be cancelled. Last-minute bookings must be collected by 20 minutes before the start. E-tickets avoid the queue entirely.
There are no refunds. In exceptional circumstances you can exchange tickets for another performance in the same season up to three days before the show, at €2.50 per ticket. If a show is sold out, the box office may try to resell your tickets within those three days; if that works, you get a credit note valid for one year.
- Online order
- €1.00 per order
- Phone or box office
- €1.50 per order
- Box office
- Wed–Fri 13:00–15:00 and 1 h before shows
- E-tickets
- Free
- Exchange
- €2.50 per ticket; no refunds
- Booking online is the cheapest way to buy a single ticket.
- A wheelchair space cannot be booked online; call the box office on 0599-631 731.
Can I eat and drink at Theater Geert Teis?
Yes: City Hotel Stadskanaal runs the theatre café and offers a €15 Teis Borrel arrangement and a €42.50 three-course menu at Grand Café 't Raadhuys.
The Teis Borrel arrangement costs €15.00 per person and includes a reserved table in the theatre café, coffee or tea with something sweet on arrival, an interval drink with nuts and a drink of your choice with a snack platter. If the show has no interval, you get two drinks after the performance instead. Book it with your tickets, at least 48 hours before the show; it is sold per person.
The three-course theatre menu costs €42.50 and is served at Grand Café 't Raadhuys. Reserve it through City Hotel Stadskanaal on 0599-650699. The arrangements are only available by reservation, not walk-in.
Dietary wishes, allergies and vegetarian requests can be sent to [email protected] so the kitchen can take them into account. The food page does not publish a payment method for the café; online ticket sales use iDEAL, and the box office handles ticket payments.
- Teis Borrel
- €15.00 p.p., book 48 h ahead
- Theatre menu
- €42.50 for three courses
- Reserve the menu
- City Hotel, 0599-650699
- Dietary wishes
- [email protected]
- Online payment
- iDEAL for online tickets
- Book the borrel together with your tickets; it is not sold at the bar on the night.
- The menu is at Grand Café 't Raadhuys, a short walk from the theatre, not inside the building.
Is Theater Geert Teis wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The theatre has wheelchair spaces, an accessible toilet and step-free access to the ground floor; the balconies are stairs-only and there is no lift.
Wheelchair users can book a special place in the hall. These places are not sold online: call the box office on 0599-631 731 or email [email protected]. A wheelchair space replaces a theatre seat, so the person using it does not also get a chair. The theatre has an accessible toilet.
The balconies are only reachable by stairs; there is no lift in the building. If you cannot manage stairs, book a seat on the ground floor. The theatre's staff can advise on the best place for a wheelchair, a walker or a companion.
For hearing, the theatre has a sound amplification system. Hearing-aid users can receive the sound through the loop setting; if your aid cannot pick up the signal, you can borrow a headset with a 2.5 mm plug at the information desk. Headsets are lent out on the night.
There are disabled parking spaces on Geert Teisplein, directly next to the theatre. Booster seats for children are available at family shows, and cushions for small adults can be borrowed from the information desk.
- Wheelchair spaces
- Yes; book through the box office
- Accessible toilet
- Yes
- Lift
- No; the balconies are stairs-only
- Hearing loop
- Yes; headsets at the information desk
- Disabled parking
- Next to the theatre on Geert Teisplein
- Book a wheelchair space by phone or email, not through the online seat map.
- Ask for a ground-floor seat if stairs are a problem; the balconies have no lift.
How do I get to Theater Geert Teis?
The theatre is in the centre of Stadskanaal; the closest bus stops are Raadhuisplein and Navolaan, a four-minute walk, and the bus station is eight minutes away.
By bus, lines 15, 24, 71 and 107 stop at Raadhuisplein (280 m) and Navolaan (260 m), both about four minutes on foot. The bus station is 570 m, eight minutes, and has the widest choice: lines 14, 15, 24, 71, 73, 74, 75, 107, 173, 312 and 512. Spont, Maarsdreef and Esperantolaan are also within a ten-minute walk.
The open-data station in Stadskanaal is 1,770 m from the theatre, a 24-minute walk. Buses 15, 24, 71 and 107 connect that station with Navolaan, four minutes from the theatre. For a door-to-door plan, the theatre refers visitors to 9292.nl.
By car, the theatre is signposted with yellow signs. From Zwolle, take the A28 towards Assen, leave at exit 32 (Assen-Zuid), follow the N33 towards Veendam, the N34 at Gieten and then the N378 to Stadskanaal. From Groningen, take the A28 to exit 36, then the N34 towards Zuidlaren and Emmen, and at Gieten continue straight towards Stadskanaal. From Emmen, take the N34 towards Groningen and follow the signs through Borger.
Once in Stadskanaal, follow the 'Plein-Lijn' parking route to the car parks around the centre. The theatre's own car park is on Geert Teisplein, directly next to the building.
Late in the evening the theatre publishes no last-bus times. If a show ends around 22:00–22:30, check the current departure on 9292.nl before you travel; the nearest stops for the return journey are Raadhuisplein and Navolaan, four minutes' walk, and the bus station is eight minutes away. Do not assume a connection after the performance.
Closest stop
Raadhuisplein, 280 m / 4 min
Bus station
570 m / 8 min, 11 bus lines
Stadskanaal station
1,770 m / 24 min walk
By car
A28/N33/N34/N378, follow the yellow signs
Parking route
'Plein-Lijn' to the centre car parks
- Use 9292.nl for live bus times; the theatre itself does not publish a timetable.
- The walk from the bus station is straight through the centre and takes about eight minutes.
Where can I park at Theater Geert Teis?
The best parking is the free car park on Geert Teisplein, two minutes from the door; Liliënthalplein and Generaal Maczekplein are also free, five minutes away. The nearest paid garage is Europaplein, four minutes away, but on most days its doors close at 20:00.
The theatre names three free car parks around the building: Geert Teisplein, Liliënthalplein and Generaal Maczekplein. Geert Teisplein is directly next to the theatre and has spaces for disabled visitors. The other two are a five-minute walk through the centre.
At Generaal Maczekplein, two spaces fall under the blue parking zone. With a blue disc you can park there for a maximum of two hours on Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 (Thursday until 21:00) and on Saturday until 17:00. Outside those hours parking is free without a disc.
The nearest paid option is the Europaplein underground garage at Europaplein, 9501 VM, a four-minute walk away. It has no separate evening tariff: the standard rate is €1 for 16–60 minutes, €1.50 for 1–1.5 hours and €2 for 1.5–2 hours, then €1 per hour, with a €5 daily maximum. The garage is open from 08:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday, until 22:00 on Thursday, and closed on Sunday. Arrive before closing if you use it for an evening show. The tariff comes from Stadsparking B.V. (stadsparking.nl/Tarieven.html).
The theatre's 'Plein-Lijn' route signs lead you to the various car parks. On a normal evening the Geert Teisplein car park is the first and easiest choice.
| Car park | Address | Walk | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geert Teisplein | Geert Teisplein | 90 m, 2 min | Free |
| Europaplein (underground) | Europaplein, 9501 VM | 300 m, 4 min | Paid: €1–€2, then €1/h; max €5/day |
| Liliënthalplein | Liliënthalplein | 330 m, 5 min | Free |
| Generaal Maczekplein | Generaal Maczekplein | 360 m, 5 min | Free (2 blue-zone spaces, max 2 h) |
- Closest car park
- Geert Teisplein, free, 2 min
- Also free
- Liliënthalplein and Maczekplein, 5 min
- Paid garage
- Europaplein, 4 min; €1–€2, max €5/day
- Disabled spaces
- At Geert Teisplein, next to the theatre
- Blue zone
- 2 spaces at Maczekplein, max 2 hours
- Check the blue disc if you use one of the two Maczekplein spaces during shopping hours.
- The Europaplein garage closes at 20:00 (Thursday 22:00) and is closed on Sunday; arrive before closing for an evening show.
Can I hire the hall or the foyer?
Yes. The theatre rents its hall and foyer for congresses, meetings and parties, using the same 628-seat hall as its main space.
- Main hall
- 628 seats, stage and theatre technology
- Foyer
- Modernised in 2011; receptions and drinks
- Contact
- 0599-631 777 / [email protected]
How do I contact Theater Geert Teis?
The theatre is at Geert Teisplein 2, 9501 VL Stadskanaal; the box office is on 0599-631 731 and the general line is 0599-631 777.
- Address
- Geert Teisplein 2, 9501 VL Stadskanaal
- Box office
- 0599-631 731, Wed–Fri 13:00–15:00
- General line
- 0599-631 777, Tue–Fri 09:00–17:00
- [email protected]
- Post
- Postbus 26, 9500 AA Stadskanaal
What kind of theatre is Theater Geert Teis?
Theater Geert Teis is the regional theatre of the Kanaalstreek: a 628-seat house in the centre of Stadskanaal that programmes about 100 professional shows a year for Groningen and Drenthe.
The theatre calls itself a leading regional theatre on the border of Groningen and Drenthe and has been the cultural heart of the region for decades. It is part of the Municipality of Stadskanaal, which keeps the programme accessible and the building in public hands.
The programme mixes cabaret, music, musical, family theatre and tribute shows, with Dutch touring names, regional companies and a regular stream of returning favourites. Around 100 professional performances a year is a lot for a town of this size, and the hall is the reason: 628 seats in one room, close enough to the stage that the theatre itself describes guests as sitting on the artist's lap.
The name comes from Geert Teis, the pen name and anagram of the Groningen writer Gerard W. Spitzen. He wrote stories, plays and poems in Groningen dialect, including the Groningen anthem and the Knoalster Lorelei, and the theatre was named after him when it opened in 1967.
The building is deliberately unflashy: one hall, a foyer, a theatre café and a box office. That is also its charm. You can park at the door, walk in, order a drink, sit close to the performer and be back outside within a few minutes of the final bow.
- Opened
- 14 November 1967
- Programming
- About 100 professional shows a year
- Operator
- Part of the Municipality of Stadskanaal
- Namesake
- Geert Teis, pen name of Gerard W. Spitzen
When was Theater Geert Teis built?
The theatre opened on 14 November 1967 as the Geert Teis Centrum; a 1997 rebuild raised the capacity from 560 to 630 seats, and the foyer was modernised in 2011.
The story starts with Philips coming to Stadskanaal in 1955, which turned the town into a growing industrial centre. A theatre was high on the wish list. A foundation for a social and cultural centre followed three years later, and in the sixties the town decided on a multifunctional building with a library and a music school alongside the theatre.
The hall was designed after small foreign theatres, with the audience wrapped around the stage, a fly tower, a large stage and an orchestra pit. It opened on 14 November 1967, performed by Marga Klompé, then minister of culture. In its first year the theatre scored with sixteen sold-out performances of the musical Anatevka, a production that could only play in the north at Geert Teis.
The name Geert Teis is the pen name and anagram of Gerard W. Spitzen, a Groningen writer of stories, plays and poems, including the Groningen anthem and the Knoalster Lorelei. The centre was named after him in 1964, a hundred years after his birth.
In 1981 the centre became a municipal service. The 1997 renovation by Sax Architects kept the outer walls but rebuilt the interior: new climate control, stage technology, a larger front balcony (raising capacity from 560 to 630), new seats and a computer-controlled acoustic system. The foyer was modernised again in 2011. Today the theatre is still part of the Municipality of Stadskanaal and programmes around 100 professional shows a year.
- Opened
- 14 November 1967
- Original name
- Geert Teis Centrum
- 1997 renovation
- Capacity 560 → 630; new interior
- Foyer
- Modernised in 2011
- Namesake
- Gerard W. Spitzen, pen name Geert Teis
Photos
Photo credits
The exterior of Theater Geert Teis on Geert Teisplein in Stadskanaal.: Gouwenaar · Public domain
The foyer of Theater Geert Teis in Stadskanaal, with a wooden service desk, red carpet and a black armchair.: Jeroen Helmers / Theater Geert Teis
The bar and lounge of Theater Geert Teis, with a dark bar counter, high tables and a red patterned carpet.: Jeroen Helmers / Theater Geert Teis · Exposure corrected
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Theater Geert Teis: frequently asked questions
The questions visitors ask most, from show times and seat numbers to parking and wheelchair places.
What time do evening shows at Theater Geert Teis start?
Evening shows usually start at 20:00, and the doors and box office open an hour earlier, at 19:00. Matinees may start in the afternoon; the exact time is shown on the event page.
What time do shows at Theater Geert Teis end?
The theatre does not publish end times. With a 20:00 start and a typical show of 90 to 120 minutes plus an interval, most evenings finish around 22:00 to 22:30. Treat that as a planning estimate and check the foyer boards or the event page on the night.
How many seats does Theater Geert Teis have?
The hall seats 628 people. It is one room with one price rank, so a sold-out show means 628 visitors. For comparison, De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen seats 859 and De Lawei in Drachten 905 in their main halls.
Are all seats at Theater Geert Teis the same price?
Yes. The theatre works with one rank, so every seat in the hall costs the same, whether you sit on the ground floor or on a balcony. There are no premium seats or separate balcony prices.
Why are my seat numbers not consecutive?
The hall has an even and an odd side. Seats 7 and 9 are next to each other, and so are 8 and 10. The theatre keeps tickets from one order together, except when a show is almost sold out.
Can I choose my own seat?
Yes, when you book online you pick your own seat on the seat map. The box office can also choose for you and will keep a group together. For a wheelchair space or a ground-floor seat, call the box office instead.
Do I need to print my e-ticket?
E-tickets are free and can be printed at home or kept as a PDF on your phone. If you choose posted tickets, they cost €2.50 per order. Collect cash tickets within two weeks, or by 20 minutes before the start for a last-minute booking.
Can I get a refund or exchange my tickets?
Tickets are not refunded. In exceptional cases you can exchange them for another performance in the same season up to three days before the show, at €2.50 per ticket. If a show is sold out, the box office may try to resell your tickets within those three days and give you a one-year credit note if it succeeds.
Where can I park at Theater Geert Teis?
The free car park on Geert Teisplein is next to the theatre, two minutes from the door, with disabled spaces. Liliënthalplein and Generaal Maczekplein are also free, five minutes away.
How do I get to Theater Geert Teis by public transport?
Buses 15, 24, 71 and 107 stop at Raadhuisplein and Navolaan, about four minutes' walk. The bus station is eight minutes away and has lines 14, 15, 24, 71, 73, 74, 75, 107, 173, 312 and 512. The station in Stadskanaal is a 24-minute walk, or a short bus ride to Navolaan.
Is Theater Geert Teis wheelchair accessible?
Yes. There are wheelchair spaces in the hall, an accessible toilet and step-free access to the ground floor. The balconies are reached by stairs only and there is no lift. Book a wheelchair space through the box office on 0599-631 731 or [email protected]; it cannot be booked online.
Is there a hearing loop at Theater Geert Teis?
Yes. The theatre has a sound amplification system, and hearing-aid users can use the loop setting. If your aid cannot receive the signal, you can borrow a headset with a 2.5 mm plug at the information desk on the night.
Can I eat before the show at Theater Geert Teis?
Yes. City Hotel Stadskanaal runs the theatre café and offers the Teis Borrel arrangement for €15.00 per person, including a reserved table, coffee or tea, an interval drink and a snack platter. Book it with your tickets at least 48 hours ahead. The three-course theatre menu at Grand Café 't Raadhuys costs €42.50 and is reserved on 0599-650699.
Can I hire the hall at Theater Geert Teis?
Yes. The theatre rents its 628-seat hall and foyer for congresses, meetings and parties, with the technical facilities of a working theatre. Contact the general line on 0599-631 777 or [email protected] for availability, the technical rider and a quote.
Sources: Theater Geert Teis — Over ons (October 30, 2026) · Theater Geert Teis — Veelgestelde vragen (October 30, 2026) · Theater Geert Teis — Zaalverhuur (October 30, 2026) · Theater Geert Teis — Eten & drinken (October 30, 2026) · Theater Geert Teis — Bereikbaarheid (October 30, 2026) · Theater Geert Teis — Geschiedenis (October 30, 2026) · Theater Geert Teis — Contact (October 30, 2026)
