As of 1 September 2026, Laurence Rippel will assume the position of interim manager of the German State Theatre Timișoara (GSTT), pursuant to a decision issued by the Mayor of Timișoara. The measure follows the withdrawal from office of the current manager, Lucian Vărșăndan, announced in June 2026.
Born in Timișoara in 1974 and trained as an engineer, Laurence Rippel has been part of the GSTT team since 1997, bringing nearly three decades of experience within the institution. Throughout his professional career, he has served as Technical Director and Head of the Technical Department, and since 2022 has held the position of Deputy General Director of the theatre.
In this capacity, he has been directly involved in coordinating the theatre’s logistical, technical and administrative activities, managing production processes, investments and procurement, as well as organising performances, tours and other institutional events. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous artists and theatre professionals from Romania and abroad and has been involved in the logistical coordination of several editions of the Eurothalia Festival.
Through his extensive experience within the institution and his in-depth knowledge of the specific mechanisms and operations of a repertory theatre, Laurence Rippel’s appointment as Interim Director ensures the continuity of the projects and programmes currently underway. The GSTT will continue to fulfil its mission as a public cultural institution dedicated to theatrical creation in the German language, while maintaining its commitment to national and international collaborations, intercultural dialogue and the development of a lasting relationship with its audiences.
