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.

It offers three study programs: Acting, Directing and Applied Theatre. In all three programs students find a comprehensive range of practical and theoretical courses. The core of each study is formed around project based artistic work in combination with technical-practical and theoretical-reflective teaching. This enables students to develop their own artistic practice right from the start of their studies. 

The three programs 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 program of theThomas Bernhard Institute. There are intensive co-operations with international partner institutions such as the Free SZFE Budapest and the E:UTSA network.

As a place of public assembly, theatre genuinely maintains a relationship to social reality. The Thomas Bernhard Institute takes this fact into account by constantly incorporating questions of responsibility and the function of theatre. Care for oneself and for each other, recognition of difference and mutual appreciation, as well as the distribution of resources and negotiation of diversity, are crucial to the rehearsal process and the academic debate. Critical awareness and social, political as well as ecological problems build the common ground for artistic work at the Thomas Bernhard Institute.

Courses

At one glance

16
Productions per year
3
Venues
9
Rehearsal rooms
20
Graduates annually

News

Events

  • 4.10.—11.10.2024
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    The Crack
    Somewhere on the border of Europe. News of a zombie attack unsettles people. The military rehearses an assault on the defences. But while preparations are still underway, the zombie virus is spreading within their own camp.
  • 7.11.—8.11.2024
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Graduate auditions
    120 minutes with the graduates of the acting class of the Thomas Bernhard Institute: With monologues, songs, duo and ensemble scenes, the students conclude their studies and show their skills in selected productions.
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

Lecturer for drama

Faculty
Employee
Stephan Pfister | © Christian Schneider
Stephan Pfister

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

Employee
Faculty
Stefan Kaminsky | © Lena Beltermann
Guest lecturer
Guest lecturer
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