Patricia Nickel-Thönicke: New director of the Lower Austria State Theater!

Patricia Nickel-Thönicke: New director of the Lower Austria State Theater!

St. Pölten, Österreich - On January 16, 2025, it was announced that Patricia Nickel-Thönicke will take over the artistic direction of the Lower Austria Landestheater in St. Pölten from the 2026/2027 season. This decision became necessary because the current director, Marie Rötzer, changes to a new position to the theater in the Josefstadt in Vienna. Nickel-Thönicke, who is currently working as the acting director and chief dramaturge at the Staatstheater Kassel, was selected from a total of 49 applications, including 32 of men and 17 of women from different countries. The announcement was made, among other things, by the NÖN .

The new era of the Landestheater

Patricia Nickel-Dönicke, who was born in Potsdam in 1979 and gained extensive theater experience in cities such as Darmstadt, Heidelberg and Mainz, is looking forward to the challenge in St. Pölten. Your contract, which begins on September 1, 2026 and is initially created for five years, aims to develop innovative and inclusive theater projects. She pays particular attention to the promotion of the children's and youth theater in the region and plans to involve international guest performances. Nickel-Thönicke emphasizes that she wants to build on the successful work of her predecessors, who have made the Landestheater an important house.

Paul Gessl, Managing Director of the Lower Austria Cultural Economy, emphasized the convincing aspects of Nickel-Dönicke's concept and its impressive artistic biography. He is convinced that their international contacts and their dramaturgical knowledge will contribute to the dynamic further development of the theater. These new responsibilities bring fresh wind and creative ideas with them, which should continue to make the theater a cultural highlight in Lower Austria, as well as the OTS reported.