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

  • © Johanna Mayrhofer
    30.9.2025
    The Beautiful Show of Failure 

    ‘The Beautiful Show of Failure’ takes a look behind the scenes of public figures and tells stories of failure, friction and reorientation. Four artists open the doors to their inner lives and reveal what lies hidden behind the beautiful show.

    Student project
  • © Christian Schneider
    1.7.2025

    From 22 to 28 June, the Mozarteum University hosted the national competition for German-speaking drama students, in conjunction with the 36th meeting for the promotion of young drama talent in Salzburg. The ensemble prize ‘Raus aus der Bubble’ (Out of the Bubble), worth 3,125 euros, went to the 4th year acting class of the Thomas Bernhard Institute and their production “Jederman” (Everyman), directed by Hanna Binder. Amadeus König was awarded in the category ‘Strong Performance’.

    Awards & Successes

Events

  • 6.11.2025
    07:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Absolvent*innenvorspiele
    Die Premiere des Vorsprechprogramms der Absolvent*innen: 14 Schauspieler*innen präsentieren sich mit selbstgeschriebenen Songs und verschiedenen Spielweisen des Gegenwartstheaters im „Nahkampf mit der Welt“.
  • 7.11.2025
    07:00 pm
    Theater im KunstQuartier
    Absolvent*innenvorspiele
    Die Premiere des Vorsprechprogramms der Absolvent*innen: 14 Schauspieler*innen präsentieren sich mit selbstgeschriebenen Songs und verschiedenen Spielweisen des Gegenwartstheaters im „Nahkampf mit der Welt“.
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
Faculty

Univ.-Prof. of Performance & Theatre Studies

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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