Austrian actress Marie-Luise Stockinger will take over as the head of the “Literature & Theater” division at the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden this coming autumn. Succeeding Karin Bergmann, Stockinger steps into artistic leadership following Bergmann’s transition to the Salzburg Festival earlier this year, marking a notable generational shift for the cultural institution.
The Bottom Line
- The Transition: Marie-Luise Stockinger succeeds Karin Bergmann as the head of “Literature & Theater” for the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden starting this autumn.
- The Predecessor: Bergmann stepped down to become the interim artistic director of the Salzburg Festival in April.
- The Leadership Vision: Festival managing director Johanna Mitterbauer highlighted the appointment as a bridge connecting institutional continuity with a fresh artistic outlook.
Stepping Onto New Terrain at the Traunsee
For 33-year-old Linz-born actress Marie-Luise Stockinger, taking the helm at Gmunden marks a completely fresh chapter in her career. As reported by the Austria Press Agency (APA), Stockinger admitted that she had never previously pictured herself sitting in the chair of an artistic director.
She noted that there are “viele Texte, die mich bewegen, Schriftstellerinnen und Schriftsteller, deren Arbeiten mich begleiten, und Künstlerinnen und Künstler, die mich nicht loslassen – und die Lust, diese Begeisterung mit anderen zu teilen,” expressing her gratitude for the trust placed in her by the festival organizers.
The Salzburg Connection and Festival Handover
The appointment didn’t materialize out of thin air. Karin Bergmann—who spent the last five years shaping the artistic identity of the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden—personally put Stockinger forward as her ideal successor. Bergmann herself made headlines back in April when she moved away from the Traunsee up to the Salzach to take over as interim intendant of the prestigious Salzburger Festspiele, as detailed by Kleine Zeitung.
Festival managing director Johanna Mitterbauer publicly praised Bergmann’s half-decade tenure, emphasizing “ihre Menschlichkeit, ihre Neugier und ihr feines Gespür für Menschen.” But looking ahead, Mitterbauer stressed that the incoming leadership represents a deliberate blending of “Kontinuität mit Aufbruch” that defines the trajectory of the festival going forward.
| Role / Division | Outgoing Leadership | Incoming Leadership | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature & Theater Division | Karin Bergmann (5-year tenure) | Marie-Luise Stockinger | Autumn 2026 |
| Salzburg Festival (Interim Intendant) | — | Karin Bergmann | April 2026 |
| Festwochen Managing Direction | Johanna Mitterbauer | Johanna Mitterbauer | Ongoing |
Balancing Performance and Curation
Stockinger enters the Gmunden administrative fold with deep first-hand knowledge of contemporary Austrian performance spaces.
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