Thomas Bernhard Institute

Thomas Bernhard Institut | © Manuela Seethaler

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

  • © Armin Smailovic
    16.12.2024
    Body, Art and Knight Rider 

    Hanna Binder is an actress, performance artist and musician who is at home on stage and in film. Since 1st of September, she has been bringing her passion for bodywork and authentic stage presence to the Mozarteum in Salzburg as a university professor. With a wealth of experience in theatre, film and dance, Binder now dedicates herself to promoting young talent, always with a focus on the physical expressiveness and humanity that makes theatre so special.

    Interview
  • 14.11.2024

    The ‘With Dylan on the Road’ travel grant was conceived for the first time in 2022, enabling artistic teams to travel in the footsteps of Bob Dylan and develop projects. The trips took them to European countries as well as (North and South) American and African countries and brought back a variety of artistic works, from performance to song, from graphic work to theatre pieces, from video installations to artistically sophisticated documentation. With ‘With Dylan on the Road 2’, the Asian region (Japan, Korea, but also Turkey) is now also included in the above-mentioned geographical area, or rather opened up by the ten new artistic-scientific projects.

    Student project
  • © Anastasiia Larina
    20.10.2024
    Trageübung 

    You choose the material on the test field. And then the playing begins. How does your new body feel? What does it tempt you to do? You are not alone on this exploration, the others must also find themselves in their foreign bodies. A series of recordings accompany you on this journey in an attempt to create an environment that enables collective thinking and relationships, to rethink how we are together and what we learn from each other.

    Student project

Events

  • 13.1.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    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
    Drama
    · Free
  • 15.1.2025
    05:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    ¡OJO, DON! - Der Spottvogel von Sevilla
    Der Spottvogel von Sevilla: Don verführt Isabela und ihr eröffnen sich neue Dimensionen der Lust. Nach intimsten Berührungen und dem Moment des sich Erkennens flieht er. Zurück bleibt ein flacher Atem und eine Leere, die gefüllt werden will - mit neuen Experimenten und Eroberungen.
  • 15.1.2025
    09:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Who’s there besides foul weather?
    Europa 2050: Es war einmal ein Königreich. Die Wirtschaft liegt am Boden, die DB fährt nicht mehr, Armut, Hunger und Krankheiten breiten sich aus, Krieg liegt in der Luft. Eigentlich weiß niemand mehr, wozu dieses Reich noch gut ist. Wozu sie noch gut sind.
    Drama
    · Free
  • 16.1.2025
    05:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Who’s there besides foul weather?
    Europa 2050: Es war einmal ein Königreich. Die Wirtschaft liegt am Boden, die DB fährt nicht mehr, Armut, Hunger und Krankheiten breiten sich aus, Krieg liegt in der Luft. Eigentlich weiß niemand mehr, wozu dieses Reich noch gut ist. Wozu sie noch gut sind.
    Drama
  • 16.1.2025
    09:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    ¡OJO, DON! - Der Spottvogel von Sevilla
    Der Spottvogel von Sevilla: Don verführt Isabela und ihr eröffnen sich neue Dimensionen der Lust. Nach intimsten Berührungen und dem Moment des sich Erkennens flieht er. Zurück bleibt ein flacher Atem und eine Leere, die gefüllt werden will - mit neuen Experimenten und Eroberungen.
Artistic Theater Practice & Society

Applied Theatre

People

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Andreas Greiml | © Christian Schneider
Andreas Greiml

Department management / overall technical management / Lecturer for stage technology

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

Dispatcher / Assistant to the Head of Department / Lecturer for Cultural Management & Organisation of Work Processes

Employee
Faculty

Lecturer for Voice Training

Guest lecturer

Lecturer for Voice Training

Guest lecturer
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