The Institute of Theatre Studies (ITW) was founded in 1992 at the University of Bern and remains to this day the first and only institute for theatre and dance studies at a Swiss university. Its aim is to explore local and international theatre and dance phenomena in terms of their aesthetic, cultural, historical and social contexts. As part of the organisational structure of the Faculty of Arts and History, the ITW offers Theatre and Dance Studies at BA and MA level (degree programmes) as well as at doctoral level. The main areas of focus in research and teaching are theatre and dance history, contemporary theatre and dance, theatre and dance theory, and theatre and dance aesthetics. The ITW maintains an international network of diverse collaborations in the artistic and academic spheres. An important aspect of the ITW is the close interaction between the student body and the institute, which gives rise to numerous projects with and by students (e.g. workshops, theatre visits, mentoring programmes).

Photo: Die unendliche Geschichte, Bühnen Bern © Florian Spring