Karoline Exner

Karoline Exner is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna (MUK). She holds a PhD in dramaturgy and art philosophy from the Max Reinhardt Seminar and the University of Vienna, focusing on 'Dramaturgies of Memory in Hebbel-Ibsen-Schnitzler.' Her career spans freelance dramaturgy, theater direction, and academic leadership. She has served as head dramaturg at Theater St. Gallen and directed Swiss premieres of Elfriede Jelinek's works. Since 2014, she has led MUK's Performing Arts faculty and co-manages the Elfriede Jelinek Interuniversity Research Network and the Competence Center for Film and Film Music. She also serves on the Vienna Drama Scholarship jury since 2018.

• Education: German/Philosophy (Universities of Cologne & Free University Berlin); Directing (Max Reinhardt Seminar, Vienna); Interdisciplinary PhD (Dramaturgy/Art Philosophy).

Her research and practice bridge theater, philosophy, and memory studies. She has curated playwriting competitions, directed award-winning productions, and integrated interdisciplinary approaches into her work. Teaching includes public lectures at the University of St. Gallen and leadership in academic-cultural institutions.