GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Nowadays, talk of crisis is everywhere. Theater, however, has over two thousand years of experience in this domain. The turning points in a life, the crossroads of societal development, have always been the stage upon which theater works. For the Salzburg State Theater, I envision the role of a cultural beacon, casting its light far across the city and the surrounding region. A lighthouse can provide guidance—in calm waters and in turbulent seas. But especially in stormy nights, sailors rely on clear signals.

A theater must prove itself in times of crisis through the quality of its work—and in doing so, it can become indispensable. We have heroes who face crises with courage, role models who reflect the many versions of our lives. When theater engages with the pressing questions of its time, it can generate meaning across generations. Now more than ever.

At the same time, a theater thrives on renewal— just as life itself never stands still. For the Salzburg State Theater, that means growing artistically, in how we communicate, and economically.

The city and state of Salzburg inherently possess a profound cultural competence. The State Theater, as a central and defining institution, can and should draw upon this advantage.

Innovative impulses can only emerge from the State Theater if it sees itself as a living organism. This also includes the conviction that theater has something vital to offer society: a greater sense of humanity, individuality, and a space for play and communication.

Dr. Carl Philip von Maldeghem, Intendant