Inspired by the New York Group Theatre, founded by Harald Churman, Lee Strasberg and others, in April 2001 the european grouptheater was started in Austria under the direction of Ricky May-Wolsdorff. Its aim is to realise new forms of theatre, innovative artistic projects, as well as new forms of theatrical expression, and to present plays which deal critically with present day society. The european grouptheater is made up of artists from very different fields, who all contribute to the productions as and when needed. Performance locations are individually chosen depending on the piece's form and content.

Among the plays produced by the european grouptheater so far were five world premieres and six Austrian premieres, for instance its opening production, the Austrian premiere of »Spoonface Steinberg« by Lee Hall, or the premiere of the monodrama »Die Blinden, Tauben und andere Geilisten« by Austrian playwright Franzobel.

»The absence of any kind of parting sorrow shows how little we are still able to sense of what we no longer are. The heart is incapable of feeling cultural loss.« (Botho Strauss)

In these times of globalisation and EU enlargement it seems imperative, to empower the individual mentally and to open up areas in our mind, which will supply us with the ethical strength to shape the future.