Schwules Museum - Former Exhibition

Heino Hilger, Ende 1950er Jahre, Dauerleihgabe von Heino Hilger, Berlin

Walter Schmidinger und Heino Hilger, Berliner Ensemble 2003, Dauerleihgabe von Heino Hilger, Berlin

April 13th through September 18th 2006

Biographical display in the permanent exhibition

Born in August 1941 in an East German village, Heino Hilger was a youth during the early years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In 1958 he moved to East Berlin for training at the Hairdressers' School on Reinhardtstrasse. As the wall wasn't built yet, Hilger could still move freely about in the city. With a band he performed at club and private parties in Berlin's eastern and western sectors. He often visited a well-known bohemian bar run by artist Kurt Mühlenhaupt (died in April 2006), the Leierkasten in Kreuzberg and attended exhibitions at the Malerkeller (Art Basement). Here, Heino Hilger first encountered, then also adopted a libertarian lifestyle. Ever since, he has had relationships with men, though some also with women.

After finishing his hairdressers' training, Heino Hilger was engaged by the Berliner Ensemble as a make-up artist. Along with the other ensemble members, he enjoyed the many advantages of this state-supported cultural institution as well as its familiar atmosphere. From actors through to technical staff, everyone would join in the regular parties held after a premiere, at Christmas and New Year in the theatre restaurant cum canteen. Birthday celebrations and other special events were staged at Die Möwe - a renowned club run by the Artists Union. A unique club: with a theatre and cinema, specialist library, restaurant and bar with the very first jukebox in the GDR.

At the Berliner Ensemble Heino Hilger had a position of special trust. While having their hair cut or being made up for the stage, actors and actresses confided in him. The wardrobe situation had its own intimacy with actors being in various stages of undress. With some colleagues love affairs developed. All in all, a bohemian lifestyle predominated with hardly any boundaries between the private and professional side of life. After work, Heino Hilger and colleagues frequented the Esterhazy-Keller on Oranienburger/ Friedrichstrasse where artists and theatregoers, hetero- and homosexual, mingled.

In Summer 2006 Heino Hilger goes in retirement. Through his work he has enabled many to fully slip into their roles. The freedom offered by the world of the stage has also allowed himself to adopt different sexual roles. "At the Berliner Ensemble homosexuality was not an issue, certainly no problem. Nor in the early days; Helene Weigel, too, was caring and tolerant. As in most theatres, many actors and actresses, staff in make-up, wardrobe and stage design, but also technicians and administrators were and are homosexual."

In the theatre Heino Hilger was constantly surrounded by those he cared for; they came to him to be made-up. He was well-informed about the next party, the latest trend or a new meeting spot. He knew what went on "in the scene", even if he couldn't always participate. For stable relationships the climate was not conducive: "I was married to the theatre, with this kind of work I couldn't really have a constant companion." Instead, he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Ever since the 1960s gay friends have come to his apartment to be made up for the mardi gras parties held at Burgfrieden.

With generous support from

Please sign our guestbook!

back to the permanent exhibition

Biographies in the Permanent Exhibition No. 4 deutsch
Heino Hilger, Ende 1950er Jahre, Dauerleihgabe von Heino Hilger, Berlin Walter Schmidinger und Heino Hilger, Berliner Ensemble 2003, Dauerleihgabe von Heino Hilger, Berlin	April 13th through September 18th 2006 Heino Hilger: Make-up artist at the Berliner Ensemble theatre Biographical display in the permanent exhibition Born in August 1941 in an East German village, Heino Hilger was a youth during the early years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In 1958 he moved to East Berlin for training at the Hairdressers' School on Reinhardtstrasse. As the wall wasn't built yet, Hilger could still move freely about in the city. With a band he performed at club and private parties in Berlin's eastern and western sectors. He often visited a well-known bohemian bar run by artist Kurt Mühlenhaupt (died in April 2006), the Leierkasten in Kreuzberg and attended exhibitions at the Malerkeller (Art Basement). Here, Heino Hilger first encountered, then also adopted a libertarian lifestyle. Ever since, he has had relationships with men, though some also with women. After finishing his hairdressers' training, Heino Hilger was engaged by the Berliner Ensemble as a make-up artist. Along with the other ensemble members, he enjoyed the many advantages of this state-supported cultural institution as well as its familiar atmosphere. From actors through to technical staff, everyone would join in the regular parties held after a premiere, at Christmas and New Year in the theatre restaurant cum canteen. Birthday celebrations and other special events were staged at Die Möwe - a renowned club run by the Artists Union. A unique club: with a theatre and cinema, specialist library, restaurant and bar with the very first jukebox in the GDR.
At the Berliner Ensemble Heino Hilger had a position of special trust. While having their hair cut or being made up for the stage, actors and actresses confided in him. The wardrobe situation had its own intimacy with actors being in various stages of undress. With some colleagues love affairs developed. All in all, a bohemian lifestyle predominated with hardly any boundaries between the private and professional side of life. After work, Heino Hilger and colleagues frequented the Esterhazy-Keller on Oranienburger/ Friedrichstrasse where artists and theatregoers, hetero- and homosexual, mingled. In Summer 2006 Heino Hilger goes in retirement. Through his work he has enabled many to fully slip into their roles. The freedom offered by the world of the stage has also allowed himself to adopt different sexual roles. "At the Berliner Ensemble homosexuality was not an issue, certainly no problem. Nor in the early days; Helene Weigel, too, was caring and tolerant. As in most theatres, many actors and actresses, staff in make-up, wardrobe and stage design, but also technicians and administrators were and are homosexual." In the theatre Heino Hilger was constantly surrounded by those he cared for; they came to him to be made-up. He was well-informed about the next party, the latest trend or a new meeting spot. He knew what went on "in the scene", even if he couldn't always participate. For stable relationships the climate was not conducive: "I was married to the theatre, with this kind of work I couldn't really have a constant companion." Instead, he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Ever since the 1960s gay friends have come to his apartment to be made up for the mardi gras parties held at Burgfrieden. With generous support from Please sign our guestbook!
back to the permanent exhibition