Acting
Acting
Thomas Bernhard Institute
© 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.
Paris-Lodron-Straße 9
5020 Salzburg
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
Events
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Made in Austria Master's project Applied Theatre by Cristina GiurgeaDrama· Tickets (Opens in new tab) -
7.4.202505:30 pmGroßes Studio, Applied TheatreTheaterLabor XTheaterLabor 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 takOpen Theatre Lab· Free
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9.4.—10.4.2025Theater im KunstQuartier, TheatrumFreiräume 2025Experimental theatre works: In the summer semester 2025, students from the 2nd and 3rd year of drama and the theatre directing course at the Thomas Bernhard Institute will present their jointly developed Freiraum projects. These projects are characterised by collective artistic processes and the testing of experimental working methods.Drama· Free
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28.4.202505:30 pmGroßes Studio, Applied TheatreTheaterLabor XTheaterLabor 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 takOpen Theatre Lab· Free
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5.5.202505:30 pmGroßes Studio, Applied TheatreTheaterLabor XTheaterLabor 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 takOpen Theatre Lab· Free
