From 1937 to 1938, the theatre was extensively rebuilt according to plans designed by Paul Baumgarten. Baumgarten simplified the facade and the auditorium considerably, changing the appearance of the theatre with respect to the New Objectivity of the 1920s, but also in line with the prevailing monumental Nazi architecture trend. A special state box ("Führerloge") was installed in the auditorium. The sculptors Paul Scheurich and Karl Nocke and the painter Albert Birkle were involved in the conversion. From the re-opening with Schiller's "Kabale und Liebe" in the presence of Adolf Hitler on 15 November 1938, the theatre was run as "Schiller-Theater der Reichshauptstadt Berlin". The famous actor Heinrich George was employed as general director, acting under the pseudonym of "Heinrich Schmitz". During the bombing of Berlin in World War II, the auditorium was destroyed in a RAF air strike on the night of 22/23 November 1943. Performances continued on a provisional stage until the theatre finally closed in September 1944.