Lessing and Schiller, among others, were on the programme. In June 1915, all members were dismissed due to the turmoil of the First World War. During an air raid, two bombs hit the theatre and severely damaged it. During the Second World War, the Großes Haus and the Kammerspiele were completely destroyed. However, the Kammerspiele was reopened in September 1946 and the Großes Haus three years later.

The Freiburg Theatre was a career springboard for many artists. Probably the best known among them is Klaus Michael Grüber, who directed in 1967 and later became known in particular for his work at the Schaubühne Berlin. In the 1980s, productions by Andrea Breth, who also later went to the Schaubühne Berlin, brought the Freiburg Theatre nationwide recognition. In the early nineties, under the directorship of Friedrich Schirmer, productions by director Jürgen Kruse with actress Anne Tismer found their way into the German feuilletons. The currently celebrated successful director Michael Thalheimer also began his career in Freiburg.

Since the beginning of the current season, the former head of the Schauspiel Frankfurt, Amélie Niermeyer, has been running the theatre. But now the financial end is threatening. Three million euros are to be saved in Freiburg over the next two seasons. That would mean the end of the three-part stage.