Contemporary Playwriting Festival
April 24-28
Oct. 26, 2017
The second workshop of “Dramokratija” with Russian playwright and screenwriter Mikhail Durnenkov has come to an end. During the workshop which took place in 20 – 24 of October, M. Durnenkov introduced upcoming playwrights with schemes, characters development techniques, documentary theatre and verbatim method.
Ingrida Ragelskienė, who is participating in “Dramokratija” for the second time was rejoiced with advices from Russian playwright and teambuilding during the lessons. “The lecturer was very generous not only with his knowledge but also with what I would call secrets of trade. And since I have some experience with educational projects, I must say it is a rare feature found only in big, strong Master – this ability to share and connecting to the apprentice as equal. And what was surprising and very dear – Mikhail united us as a team. A team of Dramocrats, a community.”
Participants also noticed that after this workshop their demands for their plays has also grown. Augustė Žičkytė says that M. Durnenkov’s phrase that freedom is work stuck with her: “ The workshop inspired me to work. To constantly listen and hear, to watch and wonder.” She was also very positive about conversations about ideas for the plays which oftenly grew into discussions. “I want to remember all the excercises we made, schemes we drew, remarks said. But most of all I want to understand characters of my play, their motives and stories. To write,” said A. Žičkytė.
Earlier playwrights who are writing plays about propaganda had an opportunitty to meet a playwright from Germany Theresia Walser and hear her advices. Now participants of “Dramokratija” are preparing for the third workshop with Lithuanian playwright, poetess, writer Gabrielė Labanauskaitė which will take place on 4 - 8 of December. G. Labanauskaitė also is initiator and heart of “Dramokratija” festival which was established four years ago. Then it started as an idea to make open readings of contemporary dramas in public places in Vilnius. For the first “Dramokratija” a manifesto which is still read at every festival, was written by Gabrielė and then-student of screenwriting in Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. “You have a right to drama / So don’t be afraid to spill the ink.” – these words of manifesto are probably the most precise in describing what is “Dramokratija”.
The festival nourishes colaborating culture in and works as a creative lab. Everything starts from an idea and playwright’s text. Later more teammates add up to the idea (not the name which is undisclosed for that purpose) and all the team is united to look for the best way to present the play to the audience. After every reading there are discussions which are as important for “Dramokratija” as the play itself. In spring of 2018 “Dramokratija” and its participants will invite everyone for a discussion about propaganda.
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Festival is sponsored by – Embassy of Germany, Geothe institute Vilnius.
Partners of the festival - LMTA, LMTA SA, Theatre Union.
