The Schauspielhaus was opened on 24 and 25 September 1966, playing Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's Nathan der Weise and Else Lasker-Schüler's Die Wupper (de).

[7] As a renovation could not be funded, a 135-seat studio theatre, the 'Kleines Schauspielhaus' operated in the foyer from the 2009/2010 season.

[2] A further use as an international archive for the dance theatre or an extension of the Von der Heydt Museum is considered, but depends on major renovation that likely also can not be funded.

White walls are accented by a "Fensterband", a horizontal arrangement of narrow windows.

The broad entrance hall is on the ground floor, also the foyer including two atriums with Japanese gardens.