May 20 – 25, 2025: Hi PerformanCZ: Visitors’ Program of Artistic Creation with special focus on Creative Education in Theatre for Children and Young People

Dramaturges, artistic directors, theatre educators and facilitators and other performing arts professionals are invited to take part in the Hi PerformanCZ: Visitors’ Program of Artistic Creation with focus on Creative Education in Theatre for Children and Young People. The Visitors’ Program will take place on May 20 – 25, 2025 in Prague and in Brno as a part of International Festival Theatre World Brno, one of the largest theatre festivals in the Czech Republic.

The program for the participating professionals from the field of theatre for children and young people will include workshops led by international lecturers (e.g. Kjell Moberg – Making performing arts for, and with young audiences). The entire content of the Visitors’ Program will be focused on the intersection of theatrical creation, creative education and social intervention in theatre for young audiences.

Visitors’ Program is organised by the PerformCzech team based in the Arts and Theatre Institute in Prague and in collaboration with the Czech ASSITEJ Centre, Theatre World Brno and several Czech theatres.

Free accommodation, tickets for local transport, shows and accompanying program will be provided for selected participants. Come and see nonverbal shows or performances with English subtitles, take part in discussions with artists and production teams, lectures, presentations, and share examples of good practices.

Let’s exchange contacts and initiate cooperation with Czech professionals.

PROGRAM                                        

Tuesday, May 20 (Prague)    
16:15 – 17:00  Welcome to the guests                    
17:30 – 18:30  Young Spectator Club (presentation and discussion) / Divadlo v Dlouhé (club)
Young people: a surprisingly diverse, picky, and hard-to-assess audience.
19:00 – 21:00  Divadlo v Dlouhé: Golem (12+, 120 minutes with intermission) / Divadlo v Dlouhé (main stage)
21:00 Dinner / Divadlo v Dlouhé (club)                                                                            

Wednesday, May 21   (Prague)                     
9:30 – 10:00 Damúza: Eyjú (from 10 months to 3 years, 30 minutes) / Prostor KUK         
10:15 – 10:45  Vyšehrátky festival (presentation, discussion) / Prostor KUK         
11:00 – 12:00  Roundtable: Theatre for Children and Taboo / Prostor KUK
What do we imagine and what does taboo mean in theatre for children and young audience?
What is so untouchable in art today that it raises questions and attempts at correction? Is the guideline a social norm, a code of ethics or a personal moral attitude, or something else? What is the trigger for a crackdown on a theatrical work intended for children? Is today’s time necessarily conducive or directly exposed to recommendations or even prohibitions? What is meant by free creation and what do children “”need”” to see and experience in the theatre?
Moderated by Hana Strejčková
12:30 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00  Tour to Minor Theatre / Minor Theatre      
15:00 – 16:30  Minor Theatre’s extra-theatre activities program (presentation and discussion) / Minor Theatre                                                                                                                                 
An insight into Minor Theater’s creative and educational programs for children, youth and schools.
19:00 Dinner
20:30 – 21:15  Dramaturgical introduction to Dance of Death / Arts and Theatre Institute         
22:00 – 23:00  Geisslers Hofcomoedianten: Dance of Death (60 minutes) / Malostranský hřbitov cemetery                                        

Thursday, May 22 (Prague)                          
10:00 – 12:00  Sightseeing
Join Kateřina Červenková and Jakub Philipp on a guided walk through Old Prague’s historic heart. Explore Prague from a perspective of two locals. 
12:30 Lunch
14:00 – 16:00  Association of Theatre Educators (presentation and discussion) / Rehearsal rooms of National Theatre
The meeting at the National Theatre will be an opportunity to get briefly acquainted with the accompanying activities we offer to the audience and the activities of the Association of Theatre Educators. We consider networking and foreign inspiration very valuable, so we have invited drama teachers from 7 other Czech theatres – to inspire and be inspired. Together, in a kind of speed dating, we will share experiences and insights into how to attract young audiences to the theatre today and pass on our enthusiasm for this kind of art.             
18:00 – 18:45  Migač, Hermannová, Pichler: Hoops and Loops (12+, 45 minutes) / Alfred ve dvoře         
18:45 – 19:15  Discussion with the creators of Hoops and Loops / Alfred ve dvoře
20:00 Dinner                                                        

Friday, May 23 (Brno)                       
8:30 Departure to Brno
12:00 Lunch
13:30 – 15:30  Meeting: Artistic Creation with special focus on Creative Education in Theatre for Children and Young People (presentations, networking) / Polárka Theatre (small stage)
16:00 – 18:30  Workshop A – Kjell Moberg: Making performing arts for, and with young audiences (block 1) / Polárka Theatre (small stage)
19:00 – 19:50  Polárka Theatre: The First Time (13+, 50 minutes) / Polárka Theatre (big stage)
20:30 Dinner                                

Saturday, May 24 (Brno)                               
9:00 – 11:30 Workshop A – Kjell Moberg: Making performing arts for, and with young audiences (block 2) / Radost Theatre (big stage)
12:00 Lunch
13:15 – 14:15  Petra Jeroma: Audience development (presentation) / Radost Theatre (big stage)
15:00 – 15:40  Naive Theatre Liberec: The Red Balloon (3+, 40 minutes) / Goose on a String Theatre (cellar)
15:50 – 16:50  Workshop B – Petra Jeroma: Let’s talk! (block 1) / Goose on a String Theatre (bar) 
17:30 – 18:20  Minor Theatre: Hamlet Junior (8+, 50 minutes) / Polárka Theatre (big stage) 
18:30 – 19:30  Workshop B – Petra Jeroma: Let’s talk! (block 2) / Polárka Theatre (small stage)
20:00 Dinner                                  

Sunday, May 25 (Brno)                                 
9:00 – 10:30 Workshop B – Petra Jeroma: Let’s talk! (block 3 – evaluation) / Reduta Theatre (Mozart Hall)
11:00 – 11:45  Terén: Little Visitors (4+, 60 minutes) / Goose on a String Theatre (CED studio)
12:30 Lunch
14:00 Departure to Prague

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any enquiries:
Veronika Nádeníčková
International Cooperation Department
E: veronika.nadenickova@idu.cz

Foto: Roman Dobeš