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

  • 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
  • © 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

Events

  • 9.4.—10.4.2025
    Theater im KunstQuartier, Theatrum
    Freiräume 2025
    Experimental 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
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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