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Studio Matejka Summer Workshop 3–8 September 2012 Brzezinka, the forest base of the Grotowski Institute In this work session, we will explore the territory of ‘contradictions’ as a source of research for the performer. Contradictions are not a limitation, but rather, by focusing simultaneously on opposite ideas, they open doorways in which the performer can awaken the inner, primal sources of the body to flow. Through a multi-disciplinary approach drawing from dance, movement and acting techniques we aim to unlock the potentialities for beginnings, where action is born. Brzezinka is a unique landscape of contradictions, where the isolated environment opens the space to a deeper source of creativity and freedom. This is an invitation to delve into the rigorous and experimental workspace that defines Studio Matejka.  The aim is not to create bodies that are plastic devices in service to the storytelling of theatre, but on the contrary, to instill a practice that keeps the physical body a well-cleaned instrument, capable of complex subtle expression. By engaging the entire body-mind, the body becomes a luminous reflection of the inner thoughts and the channel for the self. Matej Matejka Participants will be introduced to elements of: • the ritual of a respectful and focused working environment • the building of a personal, daily physical practice • sensitivity and listening through partner and group relations • awakening the anatomy of the body to develop readiness for action • transforming elements from physical training into creative improvisation • composition of physical structures The workshop is targeted towards practitioners with an interest and experience in theatre or dance. It is open for both professional actors and dancers. This challenge requires serious focus and precision from all engaged in the work. It is open to those who are willing to explore less common fields of physical and vocal expression. Workshop led by Matej Matejka, director of Studio Matejka and company member of Teatr ZAR. Matej is assisted by Studio Matejka members: Alexandra Kazazou, Magdalena Koza, and Daniel Han.  Fee 380 EUR/300 EUR (for participants from Central and Eastern Europe) Accommodation, food and transportation to/from Wroc³aw included. Contact Please send application form and your CV to marta@grotowski-institute.art.pl by 1 July 2012. We will get back to you by 8 July 2012. The workshop will be restricted to a limited number of participants.
More: www.matejkastudio.blogspot.com Matej Matejka, born in 1978 in Bratislava, Slovakia, studied music and drama in the State Conservatory in Bratislava, at JAMU in Brno, as well as film and theatre science at Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic. In the years 2000–2005 he was a member of Farm in the Cave, a theatre studio in Prague where he was co-creator and performer of several performances including Sclavi/The Song of an Emigrant (2004), a performance that won multiple awards including the Herald Angel Award, Total Theatre Award, Fringe First Award, and the Alfred Radok Award for the Best Performance of the Year. Since 2005 he has collaborated with the Grotowski Institute in the field of research of physical expression in theatre. He acts and leads physical training in Teatr ZAR. As an actor and co-creator, he performs with the company in the following performances: Gospels of Childhood. Overture (Part I of the “Gospels of Childhood” triptych), Caesarean Section. Essays on Suicide (Part II of the triptych) and Anhelli. The Calling (Part II of the triptych). Matej’s work has been seen widely around the world. He has taken part in several theatre research expeditions to India, Andalucia (Spain), Eastern Slovakia, Georgia, Corsica and Mount Athos. In 2006–2008 he practiced the southern style of Kalarippayattu with Jayachandran Nair and Sankar Lal Sivasankaran Nair, both in India and in Poland. In 2008–2010 he studied the martial art of Aikido with Shidoin Piotr Masztalerz. In 2007 he took part in Jaro Vinarsky’s dance project Paisyn as a co-creator and performer. He leads frequent work sessions at the Grotowski Institute in Wroc³aw, Poland; Au Brana Theatre, France; ARTEL, Los Angeles, USA; as well as numerous other workshops abroad. In autumn 2010 he founded Studio Matejka under the auspices of the Grotowski Institute, where he leads an ongoing research on physical expression in the foundation of the actor’s craft. In his work he seeks for the path where dance and drama are equal vehicles for performer’s expression. Alexandra Kazazou was born in Greece, where she studied acting at the North National Theatre School in Thessaloniki, followed by a degree in classical Greek theatre. She first encountered physical theatre in a workshop with the Song of the Goat Theatre during her studies, and later returned to Wroc³aw to follow the MA acting programme of the Song of the Goat Theatre. Before starting the MA, she worked for a year in Athens, co-founding the company Team Asypka with which she performed three acclaimed shows. She is now part of Studio Matejka’s artistic team. She has eight years of experience with yoga, and leads sessions of Ashtanga yoga with the other Studio members. Magdalena Koza was born in Poland, where she studied at the Physical Academy of Education. She qualified as an instructor in contemporary dance at the National Centre of Culture in Cracow, under the Polish Ministry of Culture and Heritage. From 2003–2006 she was a member of Experimental Dance Studio, and later worked with Krakowski Teatr Tañca before joining Teatr Capitol’s company in 2009. In 2008 she represented Poland in the 13th Biannual of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean in Bari, Italy. She has participated in several projects with all these companies, and has extensive experience in many different approaches to dance, contact improvisation and physical theatre both in Poland and abroad. She is co-founder and initiator of the Cyrkulacje Festival of Movement in Wroc³aw. She is carrying out her artistic research in the Studio Matejka in the Grotowski Institute. Daniel Han is a Korean-American performer and musician who has worked internationally in the USA, UK and Poland. He holds a BA in economics from Northwestern University, USA. He has a background in Taekwondo and classical violin. Since 2010 he has collaborated with the Grotowski Institute as a performer/researcher with Studio Matejka. He holds an MA acting degree from Manchester Metropolitan University after studying with the Song of the Goat Theatre in Wroc³aw. Daniel continues to collaborate with the Song of the Goat Theatre as a musician and through artistic workshops. He is a founding member of the Odra Ensemble, an international research project led by Anu Salonen (Song of the Goat Theatre) researching the performative source within cultural and artistic traditions. In 2011 he founded the project “Jubilo”, an artistic endeavor to engage with socially-excluded people and youth through the language of sound, movement and rhythm. Daniel continues to develop his research into the application of art and performance as a tool to reforge human bonds within conflict zones, focusing on the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is a 2011–2012 recipient of the Fulbright Grant (Poland) for his artistic research work in theatre/performance. |
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