Description of the play
A socially inclusive theatre production for teenagers about two types of heroes. Those who have lost their stage fright = fear and act without restraint, and those who have lost their stage fright = fear and act courageously and honestly. The play is based on the current need for young people to find their way in a world of globalization, information warfare, terrorism, and extremist groups. Their disorientation in basic human values is influenced by conspiracy media and misinformation on social networks, deepened by false prophets, and relativized by corrupt politicians.
The performance is primarily intended for secondary school and university students aged 15 to 25, or young adults. The play uses the natural environment of a school classroom and attractive modern technologies. Due to the unique form of the production, the capacity of the auditorium is limited to a maximum of 45 people. There is a discussion between students and creators after each performance.
Creative team:
Screenplay: Jana Mikitková et al.
Dramaturgy and production: Ján Fakla
Song lyrics and music: Jakub Pohle
Movement collaboration: Tibor Trulík
Graphic collaboration: Juraj Behún
Directed by: Jana Mikitková
Featuring:
Dominika Bodorová, traveler
Filip Jekkel as a policeman, a lecher in Genoa, Rarach, Serhij Nigoyan, hacker Weev,
Mária Tóčik Knoppová as Greta Thunberg, Martina – Rarach’s girlfriend, president, Júlia Ebner, Oľga Misikova, mouflon
Jakub Pohle, musician, also as leader of ultras, leader of Russian occupiers
Ján Fakla, technician, also as a man in a pub, judge
Jana Fakla Mikitková as a guide
Filip Sedov + Matej Rarach Jurášek (from the recording)
and students in the audience in various roles
Premieres:
April 3rd 2025, Arm. gen. Ludvík Svoboda Gymnasium, Humenné
April 4th 2025, Arm. gen. Ludvík Svoboda Gymnasium, Humenné
The play is a part of the project City of Culture Humenné 2024: Current boundaries, supported from public funding by the Slovak Arts Council
“If you don’t have something, invent it.” Peter Scherhaufer
In 2019, we created a hybrid theatre for the first time, in which actors were partially replaced by audience members and audience members by actors. The format proved successful, and the theme makes so much sense today that we are not giving up on culture and young people in Slovakia. On the contrary. Each original happening is a different, authentic statement by a given creative group of actors and audience members, and we watch with amazement as it all comes together here and now. No student remains indifferent.
The script began to take shape in December 2024 during two workshops at secondary schools in Humenné. Students creatively defined anti-heroes, overcoming prejudices based on first impressions of people, learning about the stories of attractive anti-heroes, and acting out initial dramatic situations based on them. The script was written immediately after the workshop and edited in a creative process with professional actors. The inspiration and ideas of the workshop participants were also incorporated into the final script. Our thanks go to all the students involved from the Arm. Gen. Ludvík Svoboda Gymnasium and the Polytechnic Secondary School in Humenné.
