"Blockpost" - A Story of Courage and Vulnerability
„Blockpost," a Romanian-Ukrainian theater co-production that brings the onset of the war in Ukraine to the stage, will premiere on November 6 in Timișoara. This production is the result of a collaboration between the ARTMEDIA Cultural Foundation and the FAINA UA Association, in partnership with the Faculty of Music and Theater at the West University of Timișoara.
The avantpremiere on November 5 and the official premiere on November 6, 2024, will take place at 8:00 PM at the German State Theatre in Timișoara. This play reflects a deeply meaningful event, not only for the Ukrainian community but also for anyone who resonates with its powerful message.
"The uniqueness of this theatrical project lies in the fact that it is essentially the first Ukrainian stage approach to the tragic theme of February 24, 2022, the day Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine began," writes Oleg Vergelis, a Ukrainian journalist, theater critic, and writer.
"Blockpost" is a powerful play that takes us into the night when the war in Ukraine begins. It tells a story of courage, vulnerability, and generational bonds in the face of chaos. At an improvised checkpoint, a grandfather and his grandson await soldiers who never arrive. What follows is a night of reflection, uncertainty, and unspoken truths, as several people pass through the checkpoint, each with their vision of the future.
The Ukrainian director Oleksandr Stepantsov brings this modern text, reflecting issues of war and solidarity, written by Anton Nesmiyanov, to the stage.
The story comes to life through young Romanian actors, most of whom are students at the Faculty of Music and Theater in Timișoara. The cast includes Benone Viziteau, Luca Șandor, Flavius Hudișteanu, Darie Doklean, Ariana Harșani, Marius Caraiman, Nadina Druța, Diana Nițu, Andrei Zgăbaia, and Cătălin Kopandi. The set design is by Olena Drobna, with Mirela Puia as assistant director and Marius Caraiman as assistant scenographer. Video and light design are by Sebastian Hamburger, and the text translation is by Lyudmyla Ganzha and Olga Botnarciuc.
The play will be performed in Romanian, with Ukrainian subtitles.
This production is part of the Sunlight Over Borders project, an innovative initiative aimed at young people and the general public in Timișoara, actively involving the Ukrainian community in the city. The project seeks to create a space for reflection and collaboration between practitioners from Romania and Ukraine.
About the Ukrainian Team:
Oleksandr Stepantsov is a director and acting teacher with extensive experience in Ukrainian theater. Currently, he directs at the prestigious Lesya Ukrainka Academic National Theatre, where he has contributed his creative vision over the past five seasons. He is committed to training the new generation of actors and teaches an acting course at the I. K. Karpenko-Kary National University of Theatre, Film, and Television in Kyiv.
Olena Drobna is a renowned set designer with over 80 productions in Ukraine, Germany, and Canada. As the chief set designer at the Lesya Ukrainka Academic National Theatre in Kyiv, Olena will discuss how set design can aid in collective healing and in building new cultural bridges.
Anton Nesmiyanov graduated from the National Academy of Arts and Architecture in Ukraine, specializing in scenography. He has worked as a set designer in theaters across Ukraine, as well as a journalist covering cultural and social issues. He has written plays, poetry, compositions, and a guide for students entitled Scenography for Beginners.
Partners: Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre, Faculty of Music and Theater Design at the West University of Timișoara, FLIGHT FESTIVAL, Banat National College, and the Students' Cultural Center from Timișoara.
The Sunlight Over Borders project is implemented by the ARTMEDIA Cultural Foundation and FAINA UA, with the support of the IZOLYATSIA Foundation, Trans Europe Halles, and Malý Berlín, co-funded by the ZMINA: Rebuilding program, created with support from the European Union through a call dedicated to supporting displaced Ukrainians and the cultural and creative sectors in Ukraine.