On 19-25th June Vilnius University Drama Theatre group participated in AITA International Amateur Theatre Festival held in Debrecen, Hungary. Throughout the week, the team saw performances from all over the world (Finland, Japan, France, Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland, The Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Georgia, Slovakia, and Singapore), participated in theatre workshops, and presented their play “Hour 00” (dir. Felicija Feiferė) on June 23rd and 24th at the Csokonai Forum Theatre in Debrecen.
Let’s dive into the impressions of the trip by the group and the director.
Monday, June 19th
Ieva: It seems that we began to travel way before June 19th… After lunch, we drank Rokas’ homemade kombucha, took a group photo, and hit the road. The 18-hour journey passed quickly. We reached Hungary with a volleyball at every stop, songs, card games, (not)good sleep, and Shrek.
Tuesday, June 20th
Gerda P..: After not being accepted to our hotel in Debrecen early in the morning, we understood what the rest of the trip would be like - full of surprises, adventures, and very little rest.
Vakarė: We spent our morning in Debrecen Park playing ball. The locals were very interested, and the grandmas were laughing…
Gerda P.: Also, it was surreal to understand where we were. Debrecen Theatre is massive, and the stage is entirely different, way bigger than we were used to. Seeing other plays in there felt strange because we understood what was coming. Will we be seen? Will we be heard? How will people at the very back see us? How will we look?
Wednesday, June 21st
Vakarė: We were intrigued to watch plays from other countries and observe how they develop and comprehend Theatre through the nuances and topics they transmit in performances.
Viktorija: The most enjoyable performance of all, for me, was Czech. Our director implanted a belief in me that Theatre is unique because it has its language, which isn't typical and understood despite the language the actor speaks. The Czech play spoke in theatre language. Everything was clear. Many subtle elements made their performance alive, understandable, and visible even for those who don't understand the language. I liked the acting, the aesthetic, the subtleties, and the effort they put into it. I saw the play. Thank you for that!
Thursday, June 22nd
Imelda: The morning rehearsal took place in the ballet room. Heat has worn us out. Despite exhaustion, we sucked it up and rehearsed our parts of the play because we knew that tomorrow's performance was crucial.
Kristupas: Half of the week had passed in Debrecen. We saw and discussed many plays and tried strange, unusual, and eccentric Hungarian cuisine. We felt a bit tense. And there it was - THE WATER PARK. Before our major debut abroad, it was essential to our spiritual preparation. Those two hours were quite significant.
Titas: While someone had fun at the water park, I discovered the movements of Chinese opera. Everything moves in a circle there. When we had learned rhythmic breathing and the gestures of various character types, we began to weave a tale out of it. In a kimono, I played a man who was seducing a lady. Circling her and moving the fan, I had to show the audience how beautiful she was. It was an unusual and incredible workshop, nothing similar to what you would experience in Lithuanian Theatre. They have a completely different set of rules there.
Imelda: We finished our action-packed day with yoga. We nourished not only our bodies but our souls before tomorrow's performance.
Friday, June 23rd
Jokūbas: Since morning, we lived in the mood of the play and felt a lot of pressure. Once I saw the curtains rise and the giant stage shrinks to the size of our theatre stage, I felt enjoyment and gratitude for being there.
Monika: The process was tense because we saw how time flies. We finished our technical rehearsal 15 minutes before the play. I saw everything during that time: anger, stress, fear in everyone’s eyes, worry, but I felt a strong connection with everyone.
Jokūbas: After taking Singapore’s rehearsal time, we started the play half an hour late.
Monika: We tried to make the best of it. Focus was the most beautiful thing - the pulse of the actors, director, and our sound and light technicians. Our main goal was to present the play as best as possible in this environment. And we did it. It was one of the most touching performances for me. I am grateful to myself, my mind, and my body for not giving up, to Kipras, my stage partner, and to the group for supporting and pulsing together, even backstage.
Saturday, June 24th
Rokas: Early in the morning, we sat down to discuss our play with the Commission of AITA festival and theatre professionals. This discussion gave us strength and confidence in our performance. We understood that it is still alive, the problems are still relevant, and that our play conveys a message, even shown to people not understanding the language. I think it was the most important day for us because we got a response to our play.
I no longer felt novelty during the second performance, but my sense of duty grew stronger. We understood that we had to get it together for today and do the best job possible.
Monika: I had the opportunity to work with video projections. Technical work during the play is the same pulsation. You have to feel when visuals connect with music, the lights, the actors’ work on stage, and their lines. I am very grateful for this experience because it’s another successful test in my book. I am happy for my colleagues, Santautas and Juozas, whom I had to work with. Thanks for your help!
Kipras: Our goal for the evening - dance. As we heard the first song, we ignited the party and invited the Dutch team to join.
Beatričė: After leaving the party, we played czardas over the phone and started to dance. Then someone else, standing nearby, joined in. It was amazing!
Kipras: Our minds and bodies, exhausted by the plays, were enjoying the final night. We discovered a louder, brighter, and more lively side of Debrecen. That night we went to sleep at the break of dawn. As I returned to my room, I quickly packed and ran off to my last adventure: I rode the empty streets of Debrecen with the rising sun and waking birds. It was magical...
Sunday, June 26th
Gerda D.: I loved the bus trip back. I never wanted it to end. We spent it so beautifully and cozily and had fun conversations. Somebody played guitar, and we all sang along and shared treats. It felt good. Unfortunately, that time together passed very quickly.
Director Felicija Feiferė: Hungary… a country that has inspired me for a different theatre language - the contact with Earth and humans. It has freed me from sterility and introduced me to the gypsy passion of searching. In Hungary, I met my movement teacher, Peter Uray, who taught all my students. I was awarded several times in Hungary and invited to share my work methods in professional summer camps. Here lies sentiments.
At the Debrecen festival, we had a different world with less magic and beauty because we didn't meet those who would blow everyone away with their artistic power. After getting positive feedback, we still understand that there are heights of this art we cannot reach. We see it, but we are going towards it little by little.
I am happy that the festival has confirmed the truths we revealed ourselves. We have found allies who love directors T. Kantor, A. Tarkovsky, E. Nekrošius… it is the same theatre we are reaching for…
This trip has brought us together and made us stronger. We want more challenges, although we understand that time has its own measurements and purposes for minutes. More time for studies. "What happens now?" asked Kristupas and everybody else. If we are vibrant, committed, and open to "Vertikalis", something will happen. But no one knows that yet. I believe in my group and look forward to a trip and event.
Photos by Kipras Šivickas and Sonata Adomaitienė.