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

  • © Salzburg AG/Marco Riebler
    27.2.2025
    Salzburg AG Art Prize 2025 

    Data whispers: Making the invisible visible. Salzburg AG endeavours to promote artistic exploration of the topic of ‘energy’. The Salzburg AG Art Prize for students of the Mozarteum University Salzburg is intended to honour outstanding projects in the field of visual arts and make a lasting contribution to artistic reflection.

    Open Call
  • 4.2.2025

    In the winter semester 2024/25, the directing students at the Thomas Bernhard Institute will develop workshop productions based on an examination of the Elizabethan era and plays by William Shakespeare.

    Drama production
  • © Christoph Lepschy, POON Sze Wan, LEONG Wai Ling
    14.1.2025
    Cityscape Hong Kong – Salzburg: Dramaturgy of Cityscape 

    What is the sound and rhythm of a city? How do people meet in this or another place? Where do they feel free? How does urban architecture inscribe itself into our bodies? How do we walk in the city? What does the climate of a city feel like? How does the memory of a city work? And what happens when we relate our experiences with these questions in places as different as Hong Kong and Salzburg?

    News

Events

  • 10.3.2025
    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
  • 17.3.2025
    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
  • 24.3.2025
    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
  • 31.3.2025
    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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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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