Thomas Bernhard Institute

Jederman, Mai 2025 | © Paulo Jamil Sieweck

The Thomas Bernhard Institute at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg is one of Austria's most renowned and innovative places to study contemporary theatre practice.

Three study programmes are offered at the Thomas Bernhard Institute: Acting, Directing and Applied Theatre. All three programmes include a comprehensive range of practical and theoretical subjects, all centred around project based artistic work. Students therefore learn essential technical skills in a real life context, as well as continually refining their reflective capabilities. Right from the outset, our students are free to develop their own artistic practice.

The three programmes encourage an understanding of theatre from different perspectives. Independent performance practice and research projects are just as much part of the studies at Thomas Bernhard Institute as the exploration of the dramatic repertoire, performative interventions in public space and lectures on recent political struggles. Transcultural cooperation and international exchange play an important role in the study programmes at theThomas Bernhard Institute and the department frequently co-operates with international partner institutions such as the Free SZFE Budapest and the E:UTSA network.

As a place of public assembly, theatre maintains strong ties to social reality. The work of the Thomas Bernhard Institute reflects this in both the rehearsal process and the academic debate, constantly addressing issues such as the responsibility and the function of theatre, care for oneself and for each other, recognition of difference and mutual appreciation, the distribution of resources and how to negotiate topics of diversity. Critical awareness and social, political and ecological problems build the common ground for artistic work at the Thomas Bernhard Institute.

Courses

At a glance

16
Productions per year
3
Venues
9
Rehearsal rooms
20
Graduates annually

News

  • © Johanna Mayrhofer
    17.10.2025
    Lieben Lieben 

    ‘Well, in my life so far, I've found that being in love is something that comes and goes. And that even when I'm in love with one person, I'm not immune to falling in love with someone else.’

    Student project
  • © Johanna Mayrhofer
    17.10.2025

     "extra-intro" is a participatory project in the genre of applied theatre, where the main character is our experience of being among others.

    Student project
  • © Johanna Mayrhofer
    17.10.2025
    What has politicised us? 

    An OMAphonie in five movements. Stories by and featuring OMAS GEGEN RECHTS (Grandmothers Against the Right) – Master's project in Applied Theatre by Tin Blümke, (in collaboration) with Gerti Mayer, Gerlinde Ausweger, Ulrike Murfett, Doris Horwedel-Fuchs & Traude Probst

    Student project

Events

  • 27.10.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    TheaterLabor X sees itself as a space for all theatre enthusiasts. The X marks the multiple intersections that arise when people meet under the sign of a common interest. Choreography is practised and tried out, as are writing, speaking, role-playing, games and thematic settings. Preferences are tak
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
  • 3.11.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    TheaterLabor X sees itself as a space for all theatre enthusiasts. The X marks the multiple intersections that arise when people meet under the sign of a common interest. Choreography is practised and tried out, as are writing, speaking, role-playing, games and thematic settings. Preferences are tak
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
  • 6.11.2025
    07:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Absolvent*innenvorspiele
    Die Premiere des Vorsprechprogramms der Absolvent*innen: 14 Schauspieler*innen präsentieren sich mit selbstgeschriebenen Songs und verschiedenen Spielweisen des Gegenwartstheaters im „Nahkampf mit der Welt“.
  • 7.11.2025
    07:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Absolvent*innenvorspiele
    Die Premiere des Vorsprechprogramms der Absolvent*innen: 14 Schauspieler*innen präsentieren sich mit selbstgeschriebenen Songs und verschiedenen Spielweisen des Gegenwartstheaters im „Nahkampf mit der Welt“.
  • 10.11.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    TheaterLabor X sees itself as a space for all theatre enthusiasts. The X marks the multiple intersections that arise when people meet under the sign of a common interest. Choreography is practised and tried out, as are writing, speaking, role-playing, games and thematic settings. Preferences are tak
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
Artistic Theater Practice & Society

Applied Theatre

People

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Univ.-Prof. for Voice

Faculty
Andreas Greiml | © Christian Schneider
Andreas Greiml

Department management / overall technical management / Lecturer for stage technology

Service department management
Employee
Faculty
Faculty
Stephan Pfister | © Christian Schneider
Stephan Pfister

Scheduling Coordinator / Assistant to the Head of Department / Lecturer in Cultural Management & Organisation of Work Processes

Employee
Faculty
Employee

Lecturer in Voice Training

Guest lecturer

Lecturer in Voice Training

Guest lecturer
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