Summary of the 2023/24 Season

SUMMARY OF THE 2023/24 SEASON

Past season was fullfilled with events, emotions, and heartfelt moments. As every year, we have prepared a summary that encapsulates several months of our work and the most noteworthy moments.

Festiwal Przestrzenie Sztuki Taniec (September 16-27, 2023)  – stands out impressively in numbers: 3 intimate premieres, 1 premiere co-produced with the Spaces of Art Operator in Białystok, 3 guest performances, 9 performances presented during the festival, 10 workshops, 2 debates, 4 accompanying events, 1,166 attendees of all festival events, 79 artists, educators, and guests, and 23 people involved in the production and coordination of festival events. This massive undertaking would not have been possible without the financial support from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage through the Przestrzenie Sztuki Program, implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance, funding from Lower Silesia, numerous partners, and all individuals supporting with kind words. 😊

PREMIERES:

◆ "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" directed by Radosław Rychcik – (Centrum Technologii Audiowizualnych [CeTA], November 24, 2024) – based on the acclaimed novel by Horace McCoy and the film by Sidney Pollack.

◆ "I love Chopin" directed by Jędrzej Piaskowski, written by Hubert Sulima – (Wytwórnia Filmów Fabularnych, May 17, 2024) – an alternative, queer biography of Chopin, serving as a starting point for a discussion about the complex and nuanced nature and sources of creativity, including that considered "national."

FESTIVALS:

◆ 16th International Divine Comedy Theatre Festival in Krakow | "The Discomfort of Evening", directed by Małgorzata Wdowik | in the main competition INFERNO | December 12, 2023

◆ NOVÁ KOMEDIE Festival | "The Discomfort of Evening", directed by Małgorzata Wdowik | April 11, 2024

◆ 57th International Theatre Festival KONTRAPUNKT in Szczecin | "The Discomfort of Evening", directed by Małgorzata Wdowik | in the International Form Competition section | April 23, 2024

◆ 28th International Theater Festival Contact in Toruń | "The Discomfort of Evening", directed by Małgorzata Wdowik | June 5, 2024

◆ 38th Contemporary Art Days in Białystok | "Crime and Punishment. Because of the Crimes of Russians that we cannot understand", directed by Jakub Skrzywanek | May 24, 2024

◆ 44th Warsaw Theatre Meetings | "The Discomfort of Evening", directed by Małgorzata Wdowik | June 5, 2024

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

◆ In the BEST OF THE BEST poll for the 2022/2023 season by "Teatr" Magazine, our theatre was honored 18 times in categories including best performance, best directing, theatrical adaptation and dramaturgy, scenography, lighting design, music, musical arrangement, best costumes, and best musical performance. The recognized productions were: "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik, "Alpine Symphony" directed by Cezary Tomaszewski, and "Ballads and Romances" directed by Piotr Soroka, Zdenka Pszczołowska, and Błażej Peszek.

◆ Agnieszka Kulińska received the "Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture".

◆ Eloy Moreno Gallego was nominated for the Wrocław Artistic Discovery WARTO Award by Gazeta Wyborcza in the theater category.

◆ Award for BEST SCENOGRAPHY for Aleksander Prowaliński and Jan Baszak for "The Discomfort of Evening" at the International Divine Comedy Theatre Festival in Krakow.

◆ Award for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS for Urszula Kuśnierz for her role in "The Discomfort of Evening" at the International Divine Comedy Theatre Festival in Krakow.

◆ Nomination for the Wrocław Artistic Award in the Popular Music category for Magda Pasierska and Szymon Tomczyk for the music for "Ballads and Romances".

◆ Nomination for the Wrocław Artistic Award in the Theater category for Małgorzata Wdowik for directing "The Discomfort of Evening".

◆ "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik was listed among the "Best Performances and Most Important Events of 2023" by Onet.pl critic and reviewer Dawid Dutko.

◆ Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Award on the occasion of the 62nd International Theatre Day for Jan Kochanowski for outstanding achievements in culture.

◆ Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Award on the occasion of the 62nd International Theatre Day for Artur Borkowski for outstanding achievements in culture.

◆ Arlekin Award in the debut category for Karolina Paczkowska for her role as Hanna in "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik.

◆ Arlekin Award in the supporting female role category for Izabela Cześniewicz for her role as Rosemary Loftus in "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" directed by Radosław Rychcik.

◆ Arlekin Award in the lead male role category for Jan Kochanowski for his role as Father in "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik.

◆ Arlekin Award in the episode category for Eloy Moreno Gallego for his role as Rabbit in "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik.

◆ Arlekin Award in the supporting male role category for Artur Borkowski for his role as the Veterinarian in "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik.

◆ Agnieszka Dziewa was nominated for the Arlekin Award in the lead female role category for her performance as Gloria Beatty in "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" directed by Radosław Rychcik.

◆ Special mention for Agnieszka Dziewa for the best supporting role in "The Discomfort of Evening" directed by Małgorzata Wdowik in the "Best of the Best" of the 44th Warsaw Theatre Meetings according to Wiesław Kowalski.

◆ Special mention for Małgorzata Wdowik for the best choreography and stage movement in "The Discomfort of Evening" in the "Best of the Best" of the 44th Warsaw Theatre Meetings according to Wiesław Kowalski.

◆ Special mention for actress Agnieszka Dziewa in "The Discomfort of Evening" at the International Theatre Festival KONTAKT in Toruń.

◆ Young People’s Award “THE SCREAM OF THE YOUNG GENERATION” for Małgorzata Wdowik for "The Discomfort of Evening" at the International Theatre Festival Contact in Toruń.

THEATRE COMPETITIONS:

◆ "Alpine Symphony.A spiritualist-mime thriller inspired by the figure of Wanda Rutkiewicz with music by Richard Strauss" directed by Cezary Tomaszewski and based on the text by Klaudia Hartung-Wójciak reached the finals of the 30th The National Competition for the Production of Polish Contemporary Drama Play. 

◆ "CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. Because of the Crimes of Russians that we cannot understand" directed by Jakub Skrzywanek in the 30th The National Competition for the Production of Polish Contemporary Drama Play.  The performance is a co-production with the Teatr Polski w Podziemiu.

TOURS:

◆ "Microcosm" in Lower Silesia - This project increased access to cultural events for the residents of Lower Silesia and reduced economic barriers in attending to theatre. With the financial support of the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, we presented the performance "Microcosm" directed by Konrad Dworakowski in five cities across the region.

◆ "Invite Us" Project - As part of the tours around Lower Silesia, we showcased three premieres created within the Przestrzenie Sztuki Taniec framework: "WoW" choreographed by Marta Wołowiec, "Dirty Talk" choreographed by Daniela Komędera-Miśkiewicz, and "Just Three More Times" choreographed by Wojciech Furman. These performances were staged in 20 towns.

◆ "Queen. The Yard Fairy Tale" on tour in Lower Silesia - Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund – a state special purpose fund – and the budget of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, we were able to perform in three cities: Bieruń, Milicz, and Kłodzko.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

◆ Pantomime Studio – We revived the legendary form of training mime artists, originally established by Henryk Tomaszewski in 1956. The return to the Pantomime Studio's idea not only reaches back to our roots but also engages in a dialogue with our history and artistic identity. The studio operated in a monthly, weekend workshop format, each session focused on a different theme. During eight meetings, participants had the opportunity to work with various artists, educators, and specialists in the fields of pantomime, movement, dance, and directing.

◆ PantoZIN – This publication is accompanying each premiere. It provides a space for our audience to share their creativity. PantoZIN is hosting artists, painters, writers, poets, graphic designers, and all those who creatively interpret the themes of each edition.

◆ PANTO DANCES – These events kicked off the past season and left a lasting dance accent for the following months. They help us maintain a lively connection with our audience and build a community through movement, dance, and fun.

◆ PANTOMIMA PRUSZA: tematy Podcast – We released two podcasts discussing theatre-related topics. In one, we talked with Monika Rostecka about self-awareness and movement, and in another, we discussed theatre pedagogy with Katarzyna Krajewska, who has been associated with the Wrocław Puppet Theatre for 15 years.

◆ Choreographic Residencies – We hosted two residents: Adrianna Kazimierz, who undertook a choreographic residency during the production process of "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" directed by Radosław Rychcik, and Wojciech Gruziński, an artist, choreographer, and dancer who explored forgotten stories and archaic dance techniques as part of his project.

PARTNERS:

Thanks to you, the theatrical world is full of color. We are deeply grateful for your help, collaboration, and willingness to participate in what we do!

First and foremost, we thank our organizer, Lower Silesia, and all the operators who have trusted us – the National Institute of Music and Dance, the Theatre Institute, and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

This year, we joined the Google Arts & Culture project – an interactive exhibition dedicated to our region. We have been consistently supported for several seasons by Kino Nowe Horyzonty, helping with every premiere.

The importance of media patronage cannot be overstated. We are deeply thankful for your continuous support: Radio Ram, Radio Wrocław, Radio Wrocław Kultura, Radio Luz, Echo24 TV, Radio GRA, Radio Rodzina, TVP 3 Wrocław, DlaStudenta, Wrocławski portal, Wrocław.pl, Kocham Wrocław, Gazeta Wyborcza, Gazeta Wrocławska, Vogue Polska, WrocLife, Notatnik Teatralny.

Each of our events was beautifully designed, photographed, and recorded thanks to the talented and skilled artists we have the pleasure to work with. Special thanks to Natalia Kabanow, Justyna Żądło, Rafał Skwarek, Adrian Janisio, Michał Matoszko, Patryk Hardziej and Victor Soma.

Our audience service team ensures safety and comfort during each performance. We thank Dominika Nestorowska, Julia Walczak, Hanna Gołecka, Zofia Gołecka, Wiktoria Serwin, Jędrzej Mikstacki, Karolina Kluza, Adam Szymecki, Jan Załęcki, Maria Karaś.

In the past season, we performed 48 repertoire shows, 8 shows within the Festival Przestrzenie Sztuki Taniec, and 7 shows at international festivals in Poland and abroad. In Wrocław, our theatre was visited by 5,551 audience members.