The House of Saxe-Meiningen was a German noble family that emerged in the 17th century. It was a branch of the larger House of Saxe and ruled the small duchy of Meiningen in Thuringia. The family is known for its contributions to the arts, particularly in theater, and for its progressive governance during the 19th century. The most notable member of the house was Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who is often credited with modernizing theater production. His innovative approaches influenced the development of modern stagecraft and set a standard for theatrical performances in Europe.