Maja Kowalczyk

Maja Kowalczyk _ Libido Romantico

© Photo by: Theatre21_Monika Stolarska

200 lat temu premierze „Ballad i romansów” towarzyszył skandal obyczajowy i niepokój społeczny. Mickiewicza oskarżono o niemoralność i perwersyjność. Przemówił językiem grupy o najniższym statusie społecznym, oddając jej prawo do ucieleśnienia jej fantazji i pragnień. Przepełnione erotyzmem, zmysłowością, miłosnym szaleństwem teksty spełniały również rolę emancypacyjną, stając się manifestem nowej wrażliwości, znosząc hierarchie klasowe i postulując demokrację uczuć. Balladami wprowadził nowe, niedopuszczane społecznie obrazy, które uderzyły z całą mocą w mieszczańską pruderyjność. Czy jego teksty dziś mogą wywołać podobny niepokój? W „Libido romantico” aktorzy i aktorki, twórcy i twórczynie rzucają wyzwanie współczesnemu społeczeństwu. Sięgając po klasyczne i (wydawałoby się) ujarzmione, narodowe, uświęcone teksty narodowego wieszcza, odnajdują w nich swój głos.

Maja Kowalczyk during the show "A Revolution That Never Happened" by Theatre 21

© Photo by: Wojciech Radwański

The starting point for this performance was a protest organized by people with disabilities and their parents which began in the Polish Parliament on 18 April 2018 and lasted for forty days. The performance is not a reconstruction of those events, but rather a play on the meanings and emotions of that time. The protest, witnessed by the entire country, ended in disappointment and was a painful testimony to the marginalization of people with disabilities. Archival materials including banners, letters and postcards written to and by the protestors will be used by the actors to ask questions about what happened in the Parliament, about the image of people with disabilities in Poland and finally, about whether the community can unite around a common cause. Director: Justyna Sobczyk Producers: Teatr 21, Biennale Warszawa Dramaturgy: Justyna Lipko-Konieczna Text: Justyna Lipko-Konieczna, Justyna Sobczyk Choreography: Justyna Wielgus Costumes&Set Design: Wisła Nicieja Lighting Design: Sebastian Klim Partners: Teatr Soho, Warsaw Dance Department Live Music: Trio Pokusa (Tymek Bryndal, Natan Kryszk, Teo Olter) Beata Bandurska, Teresa Foks, Daniel Krajewski, Maja Kowalczyk, Barbara Lityńska, Aleksander Orliński, Martyna Peszko, Maciej Pesta, Aleksandra Skotarek, Magdalena Świątkowska, Piotr Sakowski

Body to Body with Marilyn

© Photo by: Theatre 21, Photo & Video Wojtek Kaniewski

Actresses with Down syndrome: Maja Kowalczyk and Aleksandra Skotarek play the role of Marilyn Monroe. This American icon of pop culture is still perceived as a symbol of femininity, liberated sexuality and one of the most recognizable and appreciated actresses in the world. The artists enter into a game with the figure of Monroe. In their artistic work they explore how the disabled body is perceived in society and they confront taboos about disability. performed by: Maja Kowalczyk, Aleksandra Skotarek screenplay: based on texts by Maja Kowalczyk and Aleksandra Skotarek inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s diary directors: Justyna Wielgus, Justyna Lipko-Konieczna costumes: Wisła Nicieja cinematography: Wojciech Kaniewski, Ania Hatłas editing, subtitles: Wojciech Kaniewski The performance “Body to Body with Marilyn” was commissioned by Saša Asentić within the project “DIS- is not included”. The event was funded by the Department for Culture and Europe of the Senate of the City of Berlin. It premiered in February 2021 at Sophiensæle in Berlin.

How I stopped being perfect

© Photo by: Theatre 21 Maciej Czerski

Sometimes we feel bad, sad and there are moments when we just want to disappear. And supposedly in India lives half elephant, half man, who turns human worries and troubles into delicious sweets.Together with the characters of the play we will go to visit him and find out why he has only one fang. We will also learn the story of a boy turned into an elephant, who saw no other way out than to perform in the circus. What will connect the fates of these characters? Let's embark on a journey to discover an unknown story! Let's create a new story about the world in which there is a place for everyone. In the circus tent, anything can happen! "How I Stopped Being Perfect" is a family spectacle staged in a circus tent, produced by the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute and Teatr 21. In this performance, filled with live music, questions about difference and diversity are juxtaposed with breathtaking acrobatic feats, and humour with reflection on the long road that sometimes leads to self-acceptance. The show is inspired by the myth of Ganesha - a Hindu deity with the head of an elephant, and the true story of Joseph Merrick - also known as the Elephant Man. Drawing on the presence of circus artists, dramatic actors, musicians, and the actors and actresses of Teatr 21, we invite you to a performance that brings audiences and artists together in a shared theatrical and circus play. With the young audience in mind we will discover stories of otherness, in which the protagonists had to face the lack of acceptance. Together with the audience, under the circus shtick, we will create a world in which there is room for everyone and diversity becomes a value. ​ ​