Aslı Kışlal will be new artistic direction at the Theater der Jugend!

Aslı Kışlal will be new artistic direction at the Theater der Jugend!

Wien, Österreich - aslı Kışlal will take over the artistic management of the youth in Vienna from autumn 2026. This was decided by the board of the theater, the Vice Chancellor and Minister of Culture Andreas Babler and the City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler. Kışlal succeeds Thomas Birkmeir, who has held the office since 2001 and announced his withdrawal in February 2025, regardless of later allegations against him. The decision was made from a variety of applications, a total of 40, including 28 of women and 20 of men, where there were also seven teams. Finally, Kışlal was selected as the best -approved candidate.

Kışlal, who was born in Ankara in 1970, came to Vienna in 1990 at the age of 19 without knowledge of German. Just two years after her arrival, she played a leading role in the youth theater. With her extensive experience of 25 years in the free theater scene and her work as a street worker, she brings a valuable background. In addition to her theater work, she led an acting school and is a co -founder of the Vienna Festival "Wienwoche". Her contract term is five years and plans to preserve the strengths of the theater and set new impulses.

socio -political impulses

During her term, Kışlal would like to experience and use the cultural diversity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding between migrant groups and the right -wing radical youth scene. Christoph Brenner, the deputy chairman of the board, praised her personality, experience and communicative talent. Babler emphasizes that the theater of youth plays a socio -political role as an interface between education and art.

A subsidy increase was decided for 2025, while the amount of the subsidy is to be kept for 2026. Kaup-Hasler describes the theater as a social space for socio-political issues and sees a suitable person in Kışlal to meet this claim. She also plans a transparent and communicative management that focuses on the inclusion of various institutions.

a promising start

Kışlal already has promising projects. In the coming season, the premiere of "Oh no, not again!" expected in the Burgtheater casino, and her directing work "Mini-Horror" with Divitylab was nominated for the Nestroy 2024. Kışlal combines her multilingual origin with an artistic concept that is recognized as convincing and inclusive. Their appointment is considered a great opportunity for the Theater der Jugend to explore new ways and perspectives.

The announcement of her new role is not only an important step for Kışlal, but also for culture and youth promotion in Vienna as a whole. It brings a fresh perspective to the theater and is committed to telling stories that encourage young people.