Bernadette Sonnenbichler studied directing at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna. After completing her education, she assisted at the Schauspielhaus Graz, where she created her first productions. Since 2008, she has worked as a freelance director at Schauspiel Frankfurt, Berliner Ensemble, Schauspiel Stuttgart, Staatstheater Nürnberg and Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, among others. Since the 2016/17 season, she has been director at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, where she has also been head of the theatre company and part of the artistic direction since 2022. Bernadette Sonnenbichler will take over the artistic direction of the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg in the 2026/27 season.