CIS News

Launched in May 2021 at the "Ion Sava" Theatre Research and Creation Centre, the Playwriting Workshop, coordinated by playwright and screenwriter Mimi Branescu, will conclude with a series of reading performances under the title First Draft. There will be 9 theatre plays presented that resulted from the workshop. The authors of these texts are: Adelina Toma, Adriana Bordeanu, Ana Crețu, Carla-Maria Teaha, Cosmin Teodor Pană, Oana Jindiceanu, Ștefan Iancu, Tomi Cristin, Vlad Moszojanu. The reading performances will take place on March 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Hall of NTB. Admission is free.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

Ever since its launch in 2014, the 9G Program at NTB dedicated to young theatre artists has aimed to be a space of freedom and artistic search, of all kinds of experimentation and refined art. The new premiere Offending the Audience achieves these goals and brilliantly slaloms between these trends. Peter Handke's text, translated by Victor Scoradeț, turns everything we thought we knew about the art of theatre upside down, bringing an atypical plea for reactive theatre to the audience. Director Edda Coza flees from traditional conventions and finds in Handke's play the perfect refuge to question, even insulting us, theatre, life, time and our presence in a theater hall. Irina Ștefan, Carol Ionescu, Vlad Brumaru and Dan Coza are the actors who accompany her in this direct, personal and courageous approach. “I really hope you will talk and we will talk at the end, as I am convinced that theatre still has the magical power to bring people together, setting itself apart from all the other social environments - physical and virtual - that divide us and deprive us of the opportunity to listen and understand the perspective of the person or person next to us.” Edda Coza Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2019, Peter Handke invented, at the age of 24, a special kind of universal drama - Sprechstück (talking play) - with the publication in 1966 of Publikumsbeschimpfung, in direct translation - Offending the Audience. In an interview in 1970, Handke stated that "… paradoxically, the result was to do something for the stage against the stage, using theatre to protest against the theatre of the moment. I mean theatre as a historical phenomenon, as it is to this day." Staged the same year at the Theater am Turm in Frankfurt, representing Claus Peymann's directorial debut, the play instantly attracted a huge wave of criticism for its shocking and irreverent style, which only served to propel Handke into the ranks of the outstanding writers of the last century. The first performances of Offending the Audience will take place on February 19, March 3 and 5, 2023, at 8:00 pm, at the Sala Mică Hall of the National Theatre. A 9G performance at NTB   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, thanks to the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, launches the 9th edition of the 9G program at NTB (New Generation). The 9G program was launched in January 2014 and is aimed at young theatre-makers, graduates of theatre faculties, aged up to 35, not employed in performing arts institutions. So far 32 projects have been selected, 22 of which are performances included in the NTB repertoire. The 9G program at NTB takes place in the Small Hall, a space dedicated exclusively to young artists. Conditions for participation in the 9G Program at NTB: 1. The team proposing the project must be made up of independent artists who have graduated from a university in this field and must not be over 35 years old. 2. There are no requirements or restrictions in relation to the texts submitted (classical and contemporary drama) or the type of aesthetic proposed, but the concept of a performance that focuses on the actor's art is an advantage. 3. The proposals must be submitted in digital format and must include: - Directorial concept of the performance (maximum 2 pages)- Play / Dramatization / Dramatic script in Romanian- Cast, CVs of team members. (Links can be added to recordings of performances that team members have worked on before or recorded performances can be sent via transfer)- Set sketches (for the Small Hall in Italian stage configuration - sketches attached)- Costume sketches- Make-up sketches (where necessary)- Estimated budget- Technical needs of the project * under certain conditions, the selection team of the C.C.C.T. "Ion Sava" reserves the right to request the text in the original language, and applicants are requested to make it available within 48 hours. 4. The duration of the performance must not exceed 2 h. Important: The registration of the projects will be done starting from January 17 until February 17, 2023, in digital format at the email address ccct9gtnb@gmail.com. By March 10, the titles and teams remaining on the final list will be announced. Following further discussions with the teams, the selected titles will be decided to start rehearsals under the 9G Program (as per the attached rules). The 9G rules and technical drawings of the Small Hall are available below: Regulament 9G la TNB Sala spectacol sectiune Schemă Sala Mică Schemă de lumini    

A new performance created by young artists premieres as part of the 9G Program at NTB. Launched in 2014 and now in its eighth edition, 9G offers independent artists the support to produce their productions at the National Theatre's Sala Mică, a space exclusively dedicated to this approach. Perpetual peace by Juan Mayorga (translated by Luminiței Voina-Răuț), directed by Alejandro Duran, set design by Delia Ghizdăveț, will have its first performances on December 3, 4 and 20 December, at 8 pm, at the Sala Mică of NTB. Mayorga's play makes reference to the famous political essay by the philosopher Immanuel Kant, whose title it borrows, and becomes an occasion for reflection on the ethical dilemmas of human reasoning and action: "Does any means justify the end? Is the life of a single man quantifiable? Where does prevention and security end and where does the abuse begin?". Without offering a clear-cut answer, Juan Mayorga invites us to examine our own conscience. Starting from these questions, the young Colombian director Alejandro Durán, a graduate of U.N.A.T.C. "I.L. Caragiale" in Bucharest, builds a vibrant and topical show, with emotional impact, which urges the audience to become aware of these questions. In the play Perpetual Peace, three dogs are in the running to win the most desired prize - admission to an elite anti-terrorist unit. Three distinct personalities, with only seemingly similar sets of values and ambitions, reveal themselves over the course of the successive trials the three undergo, sparking an intense, life-and-death debate about power, sacrifice and the moral pitfalls of fighting terrorism. "Through physical and psychological tests, to which the three competing dogs are subjected, Perpetual Peace proposes a debate on ethical dilemmas in today's political and social life. It is a shocking metaphor for our world under the absurd threat of terrorism, a text that features animals as protagonists but is deeply rooted in the psychology of human nature." (Alejandro Durán, director) The Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga is one of the most powerful and relevant voices of contemporary theatre. Winner of numerous awards - the Princess of Asturias Literary Award (2022), the Valle-Inclán Award (2009), the National Theatre Award (2007), the Max Award for Best Playwright (2006, 2008, 2009); he has taught drama and philosophy at the Royal School of Dramatic Art (Madrid); he is currently head of the Masters in Theatre Creation at Carlos III University in Madrid. Production by the Ion Sava Centre for Creation and Research within the 9G program at NTB.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

Between September 3 and 7, 2022, the performances in the official competition of the "Șerban Ionescu" Theatre and Film Festival can be seen at the Sala Mică of the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre in Bucharest. Admission is free of charge and is by online reservation at contactfestserbanionescu@gmail.com. #FestivalulContinuă – the young generation award The second edition of the "Șerban Ionescu" Theatre and Film Festival, held on 2 May, ended on 23 July 2022 with a gala award ceremony for young theatre and film creators. In addition to the two prizes offered by the three members of the jury - Andrei Huțuleac, Nicoleta Hâncu and Eugen Jebeleanu -, the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre, as a partner of the festival since the first edition, offered a special prize in the form of an experience: a micro-season of young theatre, composed of all the 5 shows in competition: The Sand Pit, The Institution, Romeo ± Juliet, Wasted and Disney Thriller. Entitled #FestivalulContinuă, this event to support and promote the young generation of artists will take place from September 3rd to 7th 2022, at the Sala Mică of the NTB. Admission is free, and online reservations can be made by emailing contactfestserbanionescu@gmail.com, specifying the title of the show, the number of seats requested and the name of the person making the reservation. Next. Now. After. - more than a slogan Both this micro-season, organized at the initiative of Cristiana Gavrilă, coordinator of the 9G program at NTB, and the special prize offered by TIFF to director Paul Chirilă, whose short film - Caliban - we were able to see on May 2nd, come as a crowning achievement of the effort that our team has made in recent months. With the birth of this festival, we took on the mission of helping those younger or even of an age with us to have contexts in which to present their creations and find opportunities for new projects. That's why the slogan of the second edition - Before. Now. After. - does not refer exclusively to the time bridge between generations of artists or to historical periods in Romania's social and cultural reality, but also expresses our desire to create cultural events outside the festival period itself. And this continuity can only be ensured through solid partnerships with traditional institutions and structures in the field of cinema and performing arts. We are therefore deeply grateful to Cristiana Gavrilă and Tudor Giurgiu, people who have chosen to invest part of their time and energy in the future of Romanian theatre and film. We would also like to thank all our partners and sponsors and invite them to the #FestivalulContinuă micro-season!  – Edda Coza, PR & Communication Director, Șerban Ionescu Theatre and Film Festival.   Programme and details about the performances September 3rd, at 8 pm - The Sand Pit by Michał Walczak, directed by Bianca Oprea September 4th, at 8 pm - The Institution (devised theatre), directed by Florin Liță September 5th, at 8 pm - Romeo ± Julieta by William Shakespeare, directed by Mihaela Sîrbu September 6th, at 8 pm - Wasted by Kae Tempest, directed by Vlad Isăilă September 7th, at 7 pm - Disney Thriller by Philip Ridley, directed by Monica Stoica   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

The end of the season brings at the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, under the aegis and organized by the "Ion Sava" Centre for Research and Theatrical Creation, important artistic meetings in the form of workshops. Thus, young artists and not only, from various areas of this industry, employed in Romanian theatres or independent, will be able to explore and test ideas, themes, theatrical techniques under the guidance of accomplished professionals. Helmut Stürmer and Corina Grămoșteanu will coordinate a scenography workshop whose theme is the creation of a unique scene set space suitable to interpret the Shakespearean tragedies "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Richard III", basic spaces suitable for theatrical metamorphoses necessary for various directorial concepts. Nine young scenographers have been selected to participate in the workshop from June 13 to 18, 2022. From June 20 to 25, 2022, stage director Victor Ioan Frunză will hold a Theatre Workshop for actors up to 40 years old. The great director proposes an essential theme for the art of theatre and actor training, the workshop being entitled About the secret power of words. As of 30 May 2022, also within the "Ion Sava" Centre for Research and Theatrical Creation, a Playwriting Workshop has been released, coordinated by playwright and screenwriter Mimi Brănescu. Taking place over 3 months, with weekly meetings, 20 participants will be able to develop a dramatic proposal for which they have been selected. These workshops and artistic meetings complement the mission of the "Ion Sava" Centre for Research and Theatrical Creation, the only Theatre Research and Creation Centre operating within a theatre in Romania, to be a space open to ideas and experimentation, to the creative process in the first place, whether it is about professional development or about exploring new trends in the performing arts, which are so necessary for artists and theatre professionals.    Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

For this edition, there were 33 projects submitted for the selection phase, of which, according to the 9G competition regulations, 27 were declared eligible. The selection team, consisting of Cristiana Gavrilă (9G coordinator at TNB), Claudiu Goga (C.C.C.T. manager, “Ion Sava”) and Andrei Marinescu (head of the Literary Secretariat), nominated a short list of 7 projects. Following the specific discussions with the 7 artistic teams, which will take place these days, the selection team will establish the winning projects. Projects and teams included in the short list: Perpetual peace by Juan Mayorga, translated by Luminița Voina – Răuț, director: Alexandro Durán, set design: Ruxandra Manole, cast: Denis Imbrescu, Vlad Brumaru, Jawad Mohammad Shahbazimoghadam, Alexandru Ion, Ciprian Chiricheș Offending the Audience by Peter Handke, director: Andreea Ciocârlan, cast: Carol Ionescu, Vlad Brumaru, Dan Coza, Irina Ștefan Do fish sleep? by Jens Raschke, translated by Ciprian Marinescu, director: Ana Maria Țârlea, set design Ana-Maria Obogeanu, video, light & sound design Tudor Nicorici, cast: Paula Trifu Start Swimming by James Fritz, director: Eusebiu Mihail Tudoroiu, set design: Radu Gheorhițoiu, coregrafia George Pleșca, cast: Dragoș Maxim, Dragoș Ioniță, Șerban Ghilvaci, Robert Oprea, Iulia Neacșu, Paula Trifu, Ana Vânău, Filip Stoica, Ursu Ileana Raluca, Lăcrămioara Soare, Andrei Mărcuță, Iuliana Elena Danciu, George Olar You say tomato by Joan Yago, translated by Florin Galiș, director: Florin Liță, sound design: Adrian Piciorea, set design: Sînziana Cadar, cast: Irina Ștefan, Denis Hanganu, Bianca Cuculici Defendant by Teodora Florea & George Lungu, after a short story by Amalia Iorgoiu, director: George Lungu & Teodora Florea, décor designed by: Ana-Maria Obogeanu, costumes deigned by: Elisabeta Onoriu, cast: Silvia Bem, Șerban Melnic, Mircea Andrei Constantinescu, Cosmin Gaspar, Alexandru Barbu Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

For this edition, there were 33 projects submitted for the selection phase, of which, according to the 9G competition regulations, 27 were declared eligible. The selection team, consisting of Cristiana Gavrilă (9G coordinator at TNB), Claudiu Goga (C.C.C.T. manager, “Ion Sava”) and Andrei Marinescu (head of the Literary Secretariat), nominated a short list of 7 projects. Following the specific discussions with the 7 artistic teams, which will take place these days, the selection team will establish the winning projects. Projects and teams included in the short list: Perpetual peace by Juan Mayorga, translated by Luminița Voina – Răuț, director: Alexandro Durán, set design: Ruxandra Manole, cast: Denis Imbrescu, Vlad Brumaru, Jawad Mohammad Shahbazimoghadam, Alexandru Ion, Ciprian Chiricheș Offending the Audience by Peter Handke, director: Andreea Ciocârlan, cast: Carol Ionescu, Vlad Brumaru, Dan Coza, Irina Ștefan Do fish sleep? by Jens Raschke, translated by Ciprian Marinescu, director: Ana Maria Țârlea, set design Ana-Maria Obogeanu, video, light & sound design Tudor Nicorici, cast: Paula Trifu Success or small contemporary anxieties by Andreea Lăcătuș, director and musical illustration: Delia Dușa, set design: Flavia Stroe, video-mapping Miruna Croitoru, cast: Oana Jipa, Patricia Cordoș, Răzvan Mîndruță, Andrei Marius Barbu Start Swimming by James Fritz, director: Eusebiu Mihail Tudoroiu, set design: Radu Gheorhițoiu, coregrafia George Pleșca, cast: Dragoș Maxim, Dragoș Ioniță, Șerban Ghilvaci, Robert Oprea, Iulia Neacșu, Paula Trifu, Ana Vânău, Filip Stoica, Ursu Ileana Raluca, Lăcrămioara Soare, Andrei Mărcuță, Iuliana Elena Danciu, George Olar You say tomato by Joan Yago, translated by Florin Galiș, director: Florin Liță, sound design: Adrian Piciorea, set design: Sînziana Cadar, cast: Irina Ștefan, Denis Hanganu, Bianca Cuculici Defendant by Teodora Florea & George Lungu, after a short story by Amalia Iorgoiu, director: George Lungu & Teodora Florea, décor designed by: Ana-Maria Obogeanu, costumes deigned by: Elisabeta Onoriu, cast: Silvia Bem, Șerban Melnic, Mircea Andrei Constantinescu, Cosmin Gaspar, Alexandru Barbu. Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

January brings news to 9G at NTB. After the launch of the 8th edition of the project competition, with a new set of rules, much more attractive for young artists (full details on www.tnb.ro), on January 21st, 22nd, 23rd 2022, starting at 7:00 p.m., the National Theatre's Small Hall will host the latest 9G premiere: The Best Child in the World, a one-woman show by Alina Șerban. An autobiographical show, on the borderline between life and theatre, between experience and confession, authentic to the point of becoming a fragment of reality, Alina Șerban's show impresses audiences of all ages by inviting empathy. The story of the Roma girl who discovers at a very young age the differences of race, colour, and environment, but who manages to make her way through life and transform her complexes into determination and motivation, has the power of a therapeutic exercise.The Best Child in the World speaks to us about the power of achieving the impossible and the effort to make peace with the past and with one's own identity, one's own life, one's mother, one's father. I wish The Best Child in the World would build bridges between us. My goal is to offer healing to myself and others, and if possible, to create change for the better through my art. Alina Serban Both painful and comical, The Best Child in the World brings to the stage the unpredictable story of a young girl who loses everything but saves herself by building the destiny she imagined. The heroine's life story transcends ethnicity and becomes a source of inspiration for anyone who wants to make their dream come true. A 9G at NTB show Premiere: January 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Small Hall, NTB Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest, through the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, is launching the 8th edition of the 9G at NTB (New Generation) programme with a new set of rules, more attractive for young artists. The document can be downloaded below. The 9G programme was launched in January 2014 and is aimed at young theatre-makers, graduates of the relevant universities, aged up to 35, not employed in performing arts institutions. So far, 26 projects have been selected, 19 of which are shows included in the NTB repertoire. The 9G programme at NTB takes place in the Small Hall, a space exclusively for young artists. Conditions for participation in the 9G at NTB Programme:The team proposing the project must be made up of independent artists who have graduated from a university in the field and are no more than 35 years old.There are no requirements or restrictions regarding the texts submitted (classical and contemporary drama) or the type of aesthetics proposed, but the concept of a performance that focuses on the actor's art is an advantage. Project proposals will be submitted in digital format and will include:- Directorial concept of the show (maximum 2 pages)- Play / Drama adaptation / Dramatic script in Romanian- Cast, resumes of the team members. (Links to recordings of shows the team members have already worked on can be added or recorded shows can be sent by transfer)- Set sketches (for the Small Hall in Italian stage configuration - sketches are attached)- Costume sketches- Make-up sketches (where required)- Cost estimate- Technical requirements of the project* under certain conditions, the selection team of the "Ion Sava" C.C.C.T. reserves the right to request the original language text and applicants are obliged to provide it within 48 hours.- The duration of the performance should not exceed 2 hours.  Important: The projects must be submitted from January 13th until February 15th, 2022 in digital format to the email address ccct9gtnb@gmail.com. The titles and teams remaining on the shortlist will be announced on 5 March. Following discussions with the teams, it will be decided which titles will be selected to start rehearsals in the 9G Programme (according to the attached rules). The 9G rules and technical sketches of the Small Hall are available below: Regulament 9G la TNB Sala spectacol sectiune Schemă Sala Mică Schemă de lumini