Scandal at the Theater der Jugend: allegations of fear and abuse of power!

Scandal at the Theater der Jugend: allegations of fear and abuse of power!

In the scandal for the Theater der Jugend in Vienna, serious allegations against long -time director Thomas Birkmeir are in the room. These allegations, which result from an anonymous email to the City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ) in 2021, have recently been confirmed by reports to a "system of fear and abuse of power". Formers describe the theater as a place where control and intimidation prevail. In particular, it is reported that critics of Birkmeir had to fear negative consequences, which could also explain the high fluctuation of employees, as a costume designer noted. According to Kurier , the speech of physical and verbal assault that would have exceeded both professional and private borders.

allegations are rejected

The director itself vehemently rejected the allegations and described the reports as untrue. The youth theater said in an official statement that compliance guidelines, training courses and a child protection concept had been established since 2019. Birkmeir emphasizes that his dealings with employees were respectful and made it clear that the allegations either did not take place in the form described or were torn from the context. exemplary is also the willingness of the theater to offer a "safe space" to work on the allegations.

Although Birkmeir has announced that it will leave the theater "at his own request" at the end of the 2025/26 season, the traceability of this decision remains questionable in view of the serious allegations. The City Councilor Kaup-Hasler welcomed his retreat, while Birkmeir has no further information regarding his future plans. The city administration confirmed the receipt of several complaints from former employees, but concrete consequences seem to have failed to do so far. The current state and the measure held against the allegations cause a critical light on the leadership of the theater.