Drama
Professional, goal-oriented and practice-related examination of social issues in connection with contemporary aesthetic and methodological approaches: In addition to the classical techniques of role acquisition, acting students at the Mozarteum University receive extensive training for film and stage at an international level.
Study & professional fields
Theater is directly affected by the great movements that swept our society in the last decade of the twentieth century. The audience's expectations of the content and forms of expression of our work, as well as the organizational and economic conditions, have changed drastically within a short period of time. This presents an apprenticeship with new, interesting tasks. It must be open, curious, diverse, but will not neglect the technical basics of the profession - an indispensable core of any training - over the new orientation.
General study information
The program aims to develop actors who invest their personality, to master their skills with open mind and artistic confidence. Students learn how to respond flexibly, curiously and, above all, independently to different working contexts and aesthetic concepts. This presupposes that the students' individual creative potential is recognized and encouraged. Therefore, the studies of acting at the Thomas Bernhard Institute put emphasis on taking responsibility as well as on courageous decision-making in the collective artistic process.
Vocal expression, bodywork, singing and movement skills are developed in close collaboration with the various acting classes. Artistic expression is understood as a comprehensive psycho-physical process. Acting classes focus on the development of the student’s individual phantasy and scenic imagination. Students learn how to understand and deal with their own resilience, to perceive and describe artistic processes as well as to practice and accept criticism. A wide range of theoretical and discursive seminars aim to give acting students an awareness of the history and nature of their art form.
In order to give students an awareness of the history and nature of their art form, a wide range of theoretical and discursive seminar formats are part of the drama programme at the Thomas Bernhard Institute. The examination of theatre is related to space, body and movement as the fundamental elements of the play. In addition, there is an intensive and enjoyable engagement with contemporary issues and discourses.
The study program is divided into a basic and a main study. In the basic classes (1st semester), acting and directing students learn the basics of acting and improvisation together. The focus is on the fun-filled exploration and development of individual playful possibilities.
In the subsequent main study period, acting students continuously deepen the basics of speaking, vocal and physical expression in the so-called technical subjects and develop their musical, vocal, dance and acrobatic skills. This is done in close coordination with scenic classes, which teach students how to work on situation/character/role in sequential study projects specifically.
Link to semester plan (1st semester)
NOTE: The start of studies is only possible in the summer semester.
Prerequisite for the diploma study is the passed admission exam. The entrance examination for the acting major consists of the scenic presentation of at least two role excerpts, the performance of a song, various tasks from the subjects for the development of linguistic, physical and musical skills and from the subject of acting.
Four roles are to be rehearsed for the 1st round of the entrance examination:
- One of three offered, self-selected scenes of two. The role can and should be gladly chosen regardless of gender.
- Three monologues. Two of these should be from a play (classical or modern), the third should be self-written by the applicant.
- In addition, please prepare a theater song or a song (without musical accompaniment).
After the first round, applicants will be notified whether they will be admitted to the second round, which will take place on the evening of the same day.
For the 3rd round of the entrance exam, in addition to auditioning again for the roles they ve prepared, applicants will receive additional work opportunities in the area of improvisation. In the evening they will be informed whether they will reach the final round (4th round).
Tips for the entrance examination
- When choosing your monologue roles, applicants should choose characters that particularly interest them, even if they do not resemble their personal character or gender match.
- In interpreting these characters, applicants should avoid playing after models (such as in the manner of an imitation of great theater actresses), but should try to play the role with personal expression.
- Applicants should prepare themselves for an interview with the jury, commenting on their motivation and interest in wanting to study at the Mozarteum University.
At the time of application a minimum age of 17 years should be reached. Matura/Abitur is not a mandatory requirement for admission.
10 study places are allocated each year. An acting talent is expected and it is pointed out that each university requires different evaluation criteria for artistic decisions. It is recommended to apply to different colleges or universities and also to apply a second or third time to the Mozarteum University, if further experience has already been gained.
For applicants whose first language is not German, proof of German language skills must be provided.
- Our examination rooms are barrier-free. The department has a lift to the upper floors and a stair lift to the basement.
- On examination days, our students are available to assist you if necessary.
- If you have any questions regarding the entrance examination and your studies, please contact our secretary's office on +43 676 88122 445 and you will be put through to someone in our department who can talk to you about your specific needs.
Admission procedure
We have 10 study places to offer and are looking forward to a diverse year, also in terms of gender and origin. Applicants should be at least 17 years old at the time of application. Matura/Abitur is not a mandatory requirement for admission.
Since the language of instruction is German, a good knowledge of German (at least level B2) is required to pass the entrance exam. These are checked as part of the admission test, so it is not necessary to submit a certificate.
The Department of Drama expects an acting talent and would like to point out that each university requires different evaluation criteria for artistic decisions. You are therefore welcome to try it at different universities and also like to come to us a second or third time, if you have more experience.
Registration for the entrance examination takes place online via Muvac.
Timetable
- Online registration by 14.11.2024
- after the end of the registration period: invitation to the 1st round by email
- participation in the examination rounds after the respective invitation (for information, see the procedure)
- if the entrance exam is passed: invitation to enroll in the course
- enrollment during the general admission period
- start of the course: 01.03.2025
Dates for the 2024/2025 examination rounds
1st and 2nd round (all applicants will be assigned to one of the 9 possible dates)
- 12. and 13.12.2024
- 16. and 17.12.2024
- 27., 28., 29., 30. and 31.01.2025
3rd round (all applicants who have reached the 3rd round will be assigned to one of the two dates)
- 03.02.2025
- 04.02.2025
4th round
- 05.02.2025
The approval process consists of four rounds. This is a multi-stage process - passing the previous round is required to advance to the next round. After the registration period has expired, you will be informed of a date for the first round as soon as possible.
1st round
You can prepare for the 1st round of the entrance exam as follows:
- Please decide on one of the suggested choice scenes and prepare one of the two roles in this scene. You are welcome to choose the role regardless of your gender if you wish.
- Please prepare three monologues. Please write one yourself. At least one of the other two should be from a play.
- Please also prepare a song (without musical accompaniment).
How many of your roles you will play in the first round and how extensively the commission will work with you will be decided in the course of the morning.
2nd round
The 2nd round always takes place on the same date as the 1st round. If you come to the 2nd round in the evening and then convince us with your performance again, you will be notified on the same day and will soon receive the invitation and your date for the 3rd round in written form.
3rd round
For the 3rd round of the entrance examination, the applicants will receive additional job offers in the field of improvisation in addition to re-acting the roles they have worked on. The evening after the exam, you will be informed whether you have reached the final round (4th round), which will take place in February
4th round
On this last day, we work in depth and improvisation in a variety of ways.
- Read through all the information about the procedure in advance so that you can prepare as well as possible and do not miss any deadlines.
- When choosing your monologue roles, you should choose characters that you are particularly interested in, even if they don't resemble your personal character or match your gender.
- When interpreting these characters, you should avoid acting from models (in the manner of imitating great theater actors, for example), but try to play the role with your own personal expression.
- Prepare yourself for an interview with the jury and comment on your motivation and your interest in studying at the Mozarteum University.
Any questions?
Here you can find more information about starting your studies:
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