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

  • © Land Salzburg/Neumayr/Hofer
    19.11.2025

    Cristina Giurgea, alumna of the Master's programme in Applied Theatre at the Thomas Bernhard Institute of the Mozarteum University, has been awarded the Province of Salzburg's annual scholarship for performing arts, worth €12,000, to support her work at the intersection of research theatre and performance art in Salzburg. Congratulations!

    Awards & Successes
  • 17.11.2025
    X Human Minutes 

    How long is a minute? A fleeting moment or rather an eternity? In fact, each of us perceives time differently. For some, a minute at the bus stop drags on endlessly, for others it races by like a world record attempt.

    Student project
  • 29.10.2025

    Alumnae & Alumni Stories

Events

  • 24.11.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    Andreas Steudtner - Wer hat von meinem Tellerchen gegessen?
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
  • 1.12.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    hello again 3 - with students of Applied Theatre
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
  • 8.12.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    surprise from the neighbourhood - with neighbours of Franz-Josef-Str. 2
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
  • 15.12.2025
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    hello again 4 - with students of Applied Theatre
    Open Theatre Lab
    · Free
  • 12.1.2026
    05:30 pm
    Großes Studio, Applied Theatre
    TheaterLabor X
    Andreas Steudtner - How should we arrange our neighbourhood?
    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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