Theatre Association Chorea

Activity of the CHOREA Theatre Association is a continuation of work started by two groups in the “Gardzienice” Center of Theatrical Practice: The Anctient Orchestra and The Labirynth Dance Formation. After three years of an intense, international activity, the theatre found its permanent residence in Lodz and, together with Lodz Art Center and the city of Lodz, created in the year 2007 a new cultural center – the Art Factory in Lodz.
Within the scope of its activity in the Factory the association runs Theatrical and Educational Center, which, among other things, organizes:

- Tuesdays in the Factory „Movement, Sound, Word” – a series of theatrical, music and dance workshops, focusing on work with human body, voice and rhythm.

- Patriotic Manoeuvres – project aiming at organizing cyclic events in the Lodz area and concerning collective staging of fragments from the canon of Polish literature in the public space. The main idea of the project is its openness and mass participation of the citizens of Lodz, especially students and schoolchildren (actions, street instalations)

- Lessons of Antiquity – classes in middle and high schools, acquainting young people with the origins of the European culture: music, theatre and dance of the Anctient Grece. With a broaden group of teachers the program includes also a short workshop for the participants in the final part of the meeting.

- Theatrical Summer – a few days long, cyclical theatrical workshops.

- concerts

- staging of performances

At the beginnings of its artistic activity Chorea drew from the ancient tradition. Researching the sources of dance and music it explored the culture of the antiquity. The results of its researches were confronted with modern theatrical forms and resulted in innovative, dynamic performances in which the tradition meets the modernity. Currently Chorea concentrates on the problems and condition of the modern man, drawing inspiration from Artaud, Wyspianski, Herbert and others. Using the latest technological solutions it introduces into performances multimedia presentations and animations of sound and picture. One of currently implemented projects is neTTheatre – the first in Europe internet theatre, in which performances are broadcasted live on the internet and internauts can have influence on the form of the spectacle.
So far, the group has realized the following performances/projects: Hode Galatan – in cooperation with Earthfall Dance (2003), Tezeusz w Labiryncie/ Theseus in Labirynth (2004), Po Ptakach/ After the Birds– in cooperation with Earthfall Dance (2005), Taniec Lasu/The Dance of the Forest in cooperation with Kan Kasura – Butoh (2006), Bakkus in cooperation with Earthfall Dance (2006), Wiatr w Sosnach/Wind in the Pines (2006), Sczeźli (2007), Tehillim/ Psalmy/Psalms (2008), Drugi Pokój/Second Room (2008), Gry (w) Pana Cogito/Mr Cogito’s Games (2008).

„Chorea’s team represent physical fitness on the verge of reality and magic, excellent quality of teamwork, great vocal training, both in the voice production or articulation, and clearness of singing. ”

„From the first minutes one can feel the tension, which makes us believe that we are witnessing something exceptional.”

„..this unusual group in an unique way combines music, corporeality, storytelling and thought expression…”
David Adams, Western Mail

„…one of the most original and most interesting Polish groups searching for new means of expression…”
Ewa Obrębowska – Piasecka, Gazeta Wyborcza, Poznan

Translation: Paulina Pajer