CIS News

The HOP Young Actor’s Gala – under the artistic direction of choreographer and dancer Gigi Căciuleanu – will take place at the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest, in the open-air Amphitheatre, between September 3rd and 6th, 2020. For 3 days, 24 young dancers will compete for HOP trophies. Until the big confrontation, we invite the audience to encounter the artists and watch the HOP Gala online campaign. Vote for the 2020 annual DanceActor! Every day, between August 18th and 30th, the 16 artists from the individual section and the 9 artists from the Group section will introduce themselves through short films of their own. It is their first contact with the audience of the HOP Gala. From 3 to 5 September, every evening from 9.00 p.m., the audience can watch the live broadcast from the NTB Amphitheatre and then, on September 6th until 7.00 p.m., it has time to vote for the favourite dancers on www.galahop.uniter.ro. The vote of the audience matters! The People’s Choice Award will be announced at the award ceremony on Sunday, September 6th, 2020 at 10.00 p.m. The site of the HOP Gala https://galahop.uniter.ro/, the official Facebook account of the HOP Gala (https://www.facebook.com/GalaHopGalaTanaruluiActor), the UNITER official YouTube account (UNITER Romania) are the channels where you can watch the competitors' presentation films and live-streaming from the Bucharest National Theatre from September 3rd to 6th (broadcast simultaneously on Facebook, and YouTube). *Theme: Choreographic Theatre. The DanceActor as a phenomenon of contemporary theatre.The slogan of the current edition: «Said and done», the projection of the word and body in space.Artistic director: Gigi CăciuleanuHOP Gala Contest: 3 - 5 September, 9.00 p.m.Award ceremony: September 6th, 10.00 p.m.Location: NTB Amphitheatre *The HOP Young Actor’s Gala is a UNITER project that supports the debut of young artists, offering them professional training opportunities and future collaborations.HOP Gala Partners 2020 Organizers: UNITER – The Theatrical Union of Romania The „I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest, through the „Ion Sava“ Centre for Theatrical Research and Creation Cultural project financed by: the Ministry of Culture Co-producer: Romanian Television Society Partners: Romanian Cultural Institute; City Hall of Sector 5 Bucharest and the Cultural and Youth Centre "Stefan Iordache"; TIFF - Transylvania International Film Festival; IBC - International Theatre Institute, Romanian Section Established partner: Romanian Broadcasting Society Media partners: Metropolis Newspaper; RoEvents; Amfiteatru Magazine; LiterNet Monitoring partner: MediaTrust Sponsor: Kfea Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

During this period, the “Ion Sava” Centre for Theatrical Research and Creation organizes the MasterClass Poetic Copyright, held by Ion Caramitru, in which a large part of the National Theatre actors participate: Lamia Beligan, Amalia Ciolan, Ileana Olteanu, Monica Davidescu , Florentina Țilea, Costina Cheyrouze, Rodica Ionescu, Aylin Cadîr, Irina Cojar, Fulvia Folosea, Silviu Biriș, Ovidiu Cuncea, Tomi Cristin, Eduard Adam, Lari Giorgescu, Ionuț Toader, Ciprian Nicula, Mihai Munteniță, Axel Mustache, Petre Ancuța, Alex Voicu. Fine and experienced actor of poetic expression and its contained meanings, Ion Caramitru wrote in the Dilema veche magazine from April, an explicit essay, with the value of an acting manifesto, about the transfiguration of the written word into lived emotion. This route-concept is the starting point and the method of rediscovering the lyrics of Nichita Stănescu, Nina Cassian, Mihai Eminescu, Leonid Dimov, Tudor Arghezi, Geo Bogza etc. Poetic Copyright By Ion Caramitru The artistic existence I have traveled so far has been, more or less, under the sign of poetry: as a genre, on the one hand, as a chance, on the other. An actor’s job involves observing life in all its details. But it expresses itself, it ends with the utterance on a stage of words, lines, lyrics that do not belong to the artist and that are the absolute property of an author. In Shakespeare, for example, the author decided that the characters should speak sometimes in prose, sometimes in verse. It is a balance that implies vague musical knowledge, but, necessarily, a serious culture of contrasts, of paradox. And, of course, a real sense of humour. Poetry is a miracle of the use of language, of literary language in this case. And this not only because it saves typographic space and paper, but also because, in a minimal setting, it hides deep meanings. In poetry, what is read is less significant than what must be deciphered from the mysteries of metaphor or symbols. Poetry attaches to one word another, in a logic that belongs neither to spoken language nor to literary prose. The associations of words that produce metaphors or poetic symbols are surprising, strange, contradictory most of the time. Deciphering and understanding poetry involve undergoing several stages. The first is intimate reading, in solitude. By simple reading, you approach the text without hesitation. Then when, still alone, you read it aloud and approach it from the perspective of sound. It can also happen, then, that after reading it in your mind and out loud, you want to "tell" it to someone, to check what he meant "to say". Check if the intention was perceived. This adds to the reading the ambition to translate the text of its substance into the interlocutor’s language. The next step of approach, of perceiving the hidden mystery, is the more or less spontaneous memorization of the verses. You learn them for yourself and you say them with the voice of thought. Then follows (in my case, ours, the actors') the climax, when you go on stage and utter the poem in front of the audience. In this situation, it acquires special values. I would call them unexpected usage values. The utterance that interests me is that of meanings. In a poem that excites you, you must intuit the hot moment of the poet's inspiration, the one that dictated to his hand to write. The poet conveys a good, a finished good, frozen in the page. I take it as such and pass it through the filter of my sensitivity. I am amazed by the aesthetic value, by the world I discover behind the metaphor and fascinated by the author's temperament. Poetry has become, organically, mine too. And that is why I feel attracted, I find myself forced to say it. I hurry back to the place where the poet sought, in solitude, to master the words. I feel the warmth of the moment of grace, I am a direct partner. Poetry becomes mine too. I willingly master it and add my speech to the method. I go on stage and claim copyright. All this receives meaning and aura when I take Eminescu's poetry as my ally. Through him, I fell in love with the Romanian language. He knew best that the worlds of poetry are the worlds of our dreams. That is why, having him by my side, I have the courage to go on stage and publicly claim the right to be an author myself. Text published on April 30th, in Dilema Veche magazine   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The project selected within the 6th edition of the 9G at NTB programme is the following: "M from Murphy" Concept, choreography and music illustration: Andrea Gavriliu Stage design: Alexandru Petre Cast: Bianca Bor, Alexandru Chindris, Mariana Gavriciuc, Pedro Aurelian Gafei, Flavia Giurgiu, Maria-Beatrice Tudor, Ciprian Valea, Tavi Voina   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

As early as May, the Outdoor Amphitheatre, NTB's newest stage, a unique space in Romania, at the theatre, 24 meters above the University Square became an effervescent place of cultural and aesthetic encounters, in an exciting and varied nightclub. Theatre and dance performances, jazz, rock or folk concerts, art films or the latest cinematic productions, meetings with artists will be seen and experienced this summer under the free sky of Bucharest at the NTB Amphitheatre. Until the end of September, we are waiting for you on the roof of the National Theatre alongside  established names and young artists to count together this summer unforgettable nights. Gigi Caciuleanu, inspired by the charm and uniqueness of the outdoor Amphitheatre and enthusiastic about the creativity of the young actors shortlisted at the HOP Gala, whose artistic director he is this year, prepares an absolute premiere: On the Roof! The first performances were put on sale for July 27th and 28th, 2019 from 9:30 p.m.   “The Magic Amphitheatre on the rooftop of the National Theatre of Bucharest seduced me and inspired me ever since the moment I presented my show "TextShop" there. I proposed to Mr. Caramitru to offer to the National Theatre, as a gift, a show created on purpose for this space. This triggered the idea of ​​an ad-hoc company composed of some of the shortlisted Hop Gala finalists. Of course I would have liked to co-opt in the company (baptized "Ad-Hop" Company) all those chosen by the jury to participate in the Young Actor Gala final, being convinced that each of them would have been able to participate in the creation I propose. But ... not all of them could be available to work offhandedlyduring the holiday months ... The selection for the show On the Roof was based on two criteria: 1. Calendar availability 2. Ability to face, to prove to be fast, original and creative, at the improvisation test everyone has been confronted with at the Hop Gala preselection, in addition to the previous work they have done. On the Roof: I conceived the show as the invention of a world of contemporary jesters, a universe that uses a choreographic theatre language: a poetics of spatial geometry, a mathematics of clown tricks; Verb - Action (the dance movement) in alternation, (and / or symbiosis), with Verb - Speech (poetic metaphor). Reinventing a vocabulary: an Introfugue, a Frolic Bullet, a Groundling, a Teetotum, a Skew Fallen, a Ricochet, a Spinner, a Flying Meander and many others ... I relied on what I was inspired first of all: youth and the theatrical-bodily features of the ones I discovered working on the preparation of the Hop Gala and of course taking into consideration the specific theme I have boosted upon this event: "The DanceActor, protagonist of the Choreographic Theatre - a requisite factor for the theatrical creation of the future." Gigi Caciuleanu The show is produced by NTB, through the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, in partnership with UNITER, the Art Production Foundation / Gigi Caciuleanu “Ad Hop” Company, with the support of JTI,  within the 9G at NTB programme. In order to find out more about the show, about the outdoor Amphitheatre, about the Hop Gala and the young actors, about 9G at NTB, we invite you on Thursday, July 18th 2019, from 11:30, to a relaxing encounter, in the Small Hall lobby of the National Theatre. Show details   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The IL Caragiale National Theatreof Bucharest, through the Ion Sava Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, launches the fourth edition of the programme 9G at NTB (New Generation), which addresses young theatre makers, graduates of relevant faculties of up to 35 years of age, not employed in performance institutions. The programme was launched in January 2014, so far 22 projects have been selected, 17 of them being included in the 9G Season at TNB. 9G at the NTB takes place in the Small Hall, space reserved exclusively for young artists. 9G atNTB. Proceeding: - The "IL Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest through the "Ion Sava" Centre for Theatre Research and Creation ensures the space for the preparation of the show at the Small Hall or in one of the theatre’s rehearsal halls for a period of four weeks including a week on the stage of the Small Hall). Depending on the rehearsal schedule of the theatre and the availability of spaces (rehearsal rooms, foyers, etc.) or the difficulty of the proposed project, the time allowed for the preparation of the show may be prolonged. - NTB provides the technical facilities at the Small Hall, the costume stock, the scenery stock, the props, the theatre workshops, without any additional investment related to the production of the show, but also the logistical support and consultancy from the theatre. - The performances resulting from the selected projects will have 3 free performances, with free entrance, without payment of copyright or related rights. - Following the public performances, and with the agreement of the NTB Artistic Council, the show can be taken over for a season (with the possibility of contract extension) in the Small Hall repertoire, in the 9G Season at NTB, benefiting from minimum investment in production, copyright, according to the representation, revenue and promotion recipe. Conditions for participation in the pre-selection of projects: - The project team should consist of independent artists, faculty graduates, up to the age of 35. - There is no type of requirement or restriction with regard to the written texts (classical and contemporary dramaturgy) or the kind of aesthetics proposed, but concepts of performance are preferred that rely mainly on the art of the actor. Projects will be sent per e-mail to: ccct9gtnb@gmail.com. They will include (according to the attached form): the directorial concept of the show (maximum 2 pages); cast, resume of team members. (Links with recordings of shows to which team members have worked can be added or can be sent by recorded shows). Also, the technical needs of the project will be detailed. The play, the drama, the script (any text underlying the project) must be included in a separate document. Projects will be registered from June 12th until July 31st, 2019 and the shortlisted titles and teams will be announced on September 20th. Following a discussion with the teams, the titles will be decided to begin the rehearsals in the first stage of the 9G programme (as per regulation). Fișa de înscriere 9G 2019   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu  

On Friday, May 10th, 2019, from8.00 p.m., the Small Hall of the National Theatre of Bucharest shall host the premiere of a new show within the 9G programme at NTB, "Catch-up in the Dark", based on a text written by the Israeli writer Edna Mazia and directed by Radu Stoian. "Catch-up in the Dark" is a reinterpretation of the title "Games in the Backyard", one of Edna Mazia's plays. Written in 1993 and relying on a real case that has deeply affected Israeli society, the text recreates the drama of Dvori Manhes, a 14-year-old girl and a group of four adolescents accused of rape. Everything starts from a game, but - "as in any game" - non-observance of the rules can always lead to the loss of control, with serious consequences for all participants ... Theviewer is offered both perspectives, of the defense and prosecution. The roles are reversed and the victim becomes guilty and the accused plea innocence. The young team of creators explores psychologically intuitive themes such as abuse, both physical and mental, or the failure of the legal system. The play does not provide answers, but rather invites the spectator to reflect on the human nature, the understanding of the other, the discovery of truth. "The real case underlying this text is not a singular one, unfortunately, and TV news or shocking reports are not always able to convey a message or be completely touching. I believe that through the energies of this show, through the mirror that the theatre illuminates in front of the spectators, we shall be able to uncover such abuses and sound the alarm. The show will primarily address young people, whom we hope to bring to the theaters to understand that childhood games have repercussions in the future, that what we learn in childhood applies throughout adulthood. " (Radu Stoian, director) The show features the following cast: Alexandra Spataru, Radu Stoian, Florin Craciun, Adrian Georgescu, Adrian Loghin. The creative team: Radu Stoian (director), Teodora Budescu (choreography and direction assistance), Samuel Mikhailovich (stage concept), Aurel Ciucur (musical composition), Cristian machine (light design), Daniel Octavian Nae (sound) and Daniel Buglea (stage direction).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The contest organized by the Ion Sava Center for Theatrical Research and Creation within the "I. L. Caragiale" National Theatre for the ending of the unfinished play The Island by Mihail Sebastian registered 44 of texts. Following the reading of these endings, the jury consisting of Marina Constantinescu, Cristiana Gavrilă and Andrei Marinescu has retained in the final shortlist the following 5 texts:   1. Motto: "Do not console yourself with the thought that the times are unfair. Their moral injustice does not make us more righteous, their dogness is not enough because they can not accept people, we can already count ourselves. "(Boris Pasternak) - author Ruxandra Tuchel 2. Motto:" Where is this island if not in ourselves? "(Octavian Paler) - author Andreea Nanu 3. Motto:" For two thousand years "- author Radu Macrinici 4. Statement: "A fixed idea is a closed universe "(Mihail Sebastian) - author Laura- Georgiana Dimbu 5. Motto: (Anti-passivity) "What's the point of my vote !? With him, without him, it’s the same ... Oh, my God, but myriads of sand splinters, entwined, confer overwhelming power to the wasteland. Myriads of water droplets engage to bring forth the width and depth of world oceans. Likewise, my vote, with yours, with hundreds of thousands, millions give power to change for good. Try, come out, be brave! "- author Daniel Tei The text signed by Ruxandra Tuchel was declared winner. The prize is worth 2000 Euros. Also, the winning text will be the subject of a theater laboratory at the Ion Sava Center for Theatrical Research and Creation in the 2018-2019 season.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The „Ion Sava” Centre for Theatrical Research and Creation within the „I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre announces a dramaturgy contest for the unfinished play of Mihail Sebastian, The Island* (the text can be downloaded in pdf format from www.tnb.ro). The interested ones must propose a continuation of the two acts written by the author. The award for the winning text (ending of the play) amounts to 2000 euros. Furthermore, it shall become a part of a show enacted in the 2018 – 2019 season, on one of the stages of the National Theatre of Bucharest. The recording of the texts shall be performed in “motto” system, appearing on the first page of each text, the same motto being also noted on a separate sealed envelope, containing the author’s personal data. Plays in electronic format are accepted (saved on a CD). The CD containing the play registered in the contest shall be accompanied by a sealed envelope featuring the author’s identification data.                                              The texts can be sent to the address: „I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest 2 Nicolae Bălcescu Blvd., postal code 010051, district 1, Bucharest, until 30th September 2018, with the remark Dramaturgy contest!   Document in romanian: Insula, actul I   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On Wednesday, 13th June 2018, 7:00 p.m., the Small Hall of the National Theatre hosts the first representation of the show Improvisation by Eugène Ionesco, bachelor’s degree exam of the Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography 2017 (Best Show Award, Graduate Gala, 2017). Welcoming young theatre creators, NTB in partnership with UNATC presents a series of shows created by students. „Improvisation is a play where I attempt to imitate Moliere, being, at the same time, a criticism of some critics. I reproach to critics dogmatism, not understanding art, their refusal to understand theatre. The critics I enact in this play are militant critics. If the harm people inflict upon each other changes its appearance, its profound nature remains the same. I have written to ask myself about this issue, about this mystery.” Eugène Ionesco “Far from being a pretentious discussion on philosophy and theatre, it is a still topical parable about society who does not want you different, but brainwashed, wants you to think and live according to its dictates. And most of the times, society wins. This is the nightmare of the world we live in and this has also been the nightmare of Eugene Ionesco. The show wants to be a sign of alarm, pulled for us all (regardless whether we are artists or corporatists), who must ask ourselves whether we ever stopped telling our truth and why we have started preaching the one of others.” Andreea Ciocîrlan (director)                    — Where? — In Ionesco’s study. — When? — In a dream of Ionesco. — Who? — Three critics in search for an author, an author on the quest of freedom of expression and a maid searching for normality. — What? — A discussion on theatre and philosophy culminating with the author’s manipulation by the critics. — Why? — To become aware of what awaits us if we want to be like butterflies… free.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

  By meeting the needs of young theatre creators, NTB in partnership with UNATC, presents a series of shows created by students. On Saturday, 5th May 2018, 7:00 p.m., the Media Hall of the ”I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest shall host the first representation of the show The Tragedy of Man, Master’s degree exam 2017 within the framework of the „I. L. Caragiale” Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography of Bucharest. The Tragedy of Man is a ritual of initiation conducted by Lucifer. After the expulsion from Heaven, the fallen angel guides the first pair of human beings, Adam and Eve, on a journey through time and space, aiming at the enlightenment of the two in the end. Thus, in Egypt, Man learns that the abuse of power causes suffering, in Rome – that pleasure without love is like the pest, in Byzantium – that faith which kills in the name of God is a lie, in Prague – that superior knowledge used only for individual force darkens the mind. In Chaos, death can be defeated through love. The Tragedy of Man truly presents a cycle of falls, a graveyard of shattered kingdoms. It is not by chance that Lucifer only unveils the ages of decline of the great Empires. Despite all atrocities from history, man owns the supreme weapon – Freedom – to change, to search, to Choose. “The Tragedy of Man" is a show about Freedom. It presents a world in which God is silent, Lucifer rules over time, History is an illusion and man, a tormented being who tries to rebuild a Paradise Lost having a single weapon – Free Will”. Diana Mititelu Thesis show coordinated by Alexandru Darie (M.A. professor for Theatre Direction), Ștefan Caragiu (M.A. professor Scenography) and Vladimir Anton (associate professor).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu