Scandal in the Theater der Jugend: How the City of Vienna reacted to allegations!

Scandal in the Theater der Jugend: How the City of Vienna reacted to allegations!

The theater of youth in Vienna is the focus of a significant change. The city of Vienna, which acts as one of the main sponsors, has reacted to internal allegations that came from the theater ensemble. In 2021, two former employees informed the cultural and science group of concerns about the theater management. These allegations were reinforced by an anonymous letter that was sent to both the federal government and the cultural department. In order to clarify the situation, the city immediately initiated discussions with relevant areas, including the theater management and the works council. As wien.gv.at was also brought in to improve and To act.

The city expects all its funded institutions to comply with the funding guidelines, which underlines transparency in processing these incidents. While a non-extension of the Treaty of Thomas Birkmeir was considered in 2022, it was ultimately decided that he will end his leadership prematurely after the 2025/2026 season. This decision, which was welcomed by the City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler, expects the tender for the artistic direction that falls into the hands of the association. This was regarded as a necessary step to bring a breath of fresh air to the theater, such as wien.gv.at further.

These developments are not only important for the theater, but also reflect on the responsibility that the city bears as funding. The comprehensive discussions and the inclusion of external companies show how seriously the city deals with its funding obligations and what measures are taken to sustainably improve the ongoing operation and the work environment.