Theater current issue

CONTRIBUTORS

2009-06-01

Up Front

Sellar, T. — 2009-06-01

THE CENSOR'S VERDICT

Malita, L., Sellar, T. — 2009-06-01

Tom Sellar interviews Romanian theater scholar Liviu Malita, who has recently unearthed records of theater censorship during Ceau escu's communist regime. Malita discusses his research at the Archive of the General Directorate for Press and Printing (DGPT) and the relationships between dissident playwrights, apologists, and censors throughout the 1980s. He also considers the work of Romanian dramatists who continue to examine the psychological consequences of self-censorship and reform after the 1989 revolution.

IN CINDERELLA'S SHOES: Romanian Theater Twenty Years after Communism

Popescu, M. — 2009-06-01

Romanian theater critic and scholar Marian Popescu discusses the challenges faced by Romanian playwrights, directors, and other theater practitioners since the fall of communism. He details the struggles that artists and institutions have had to address and adjust to since the end of the Ceaucescu regime, as well as efforts of Romanian artists to create new forms and engage in the world theater scene.

THE OLD ROAD RAPIDLY AGING: Changes in Romania's Theater since 1989

Modreanu, C. — 2009-06-01

Romanian theater scholar Cristina Modreanu discusses the primary model of dramaturgy, classical texts presented in a realistic style, has evolved after 1989 in Romania to accommodate new visual styles of avant-garde directors. Modreanu describes directors such as Mihail Maniutiu, Alexandru Tocilescu, Gabor Tompa, Victor Ioan Frunza, and Alexander Hausvater as artistic "survivors" of the old regime, while Silviu Purcarete represents the present and future of Romanian theater.

SILVIU PURCaRETE'S WORLD

Tompa, A. — 2009-06-01

Critic Andrea Tompa discusses the work of Romanian director Silviu Purc rete in the context of contemporary Romanian theater. She gives particular attention to his productions Pantagruel's Cousin and Faust, and examines Purc rete's approach and influence with regard to his contemporaries in Romania and in Europe.

Portfolio: HELMUT STURMER AND THE ROMANIAN THEATER

2009-06-01

CLAP IF YOU WANT TO

Penescu, R. — 2009-06-01

In this personal essay, Romanian publisher (LiterNet.ro) Razvan Penescu writes about his decision not to applaud a poor performance at the National Theater of Bucharest and how his dissent represents an expressive freedom that was disallowed in communist Romania.

Portfolio: DRAGOs BUHAGIAR'S STAGE DESIGNS

2009-06-01

THINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH US: A Playwright's Notes on the Struggle for New Romanian Plays

Nelega, A. — 2009-06-01

Alina Nelega offers a playwright's perspective on the development of playwriting in post-communist Romania. She details the challenges faced by new playwrights in a primarily visual, director-driven theatrical culture, and discusses the history of programs like Dramafest and dramAcum, designed to foster new writing. Particular attention is paid to writers Gianina Carbinariu and Stefan Peca.