Since its establishment in 1995, Divadlo z Pasáže has produced 11 productions ranging from fairy tales to existential dramas, created a full-length film (From a Diary of a Carriage) and four television documentaries, organized an international theatre festival and participated in international festivals, theatrical exhibitions and workshops in Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Portugal, France, Slovenia and Austria.

Divadlo z Pasáže embraces members of various marginalized groups including developmentally and physically disabled actors, refugees and Roma communities. The company chose theatre because theatre is one of the most powerful and basic languages of expression combining all artistic languages: words, movement, color, music, reality and dreams, emotions and ideas. Divadlo z Pasáže creates its works through a unique collaborative process involving the special needs performers and renowned Slovak artists, actors, directors, choreographers and composers.

About eight years ago, Divadlo z Pasáže helped establish two nonprofit sister organizations: an educational day unit and a sheltered housing program. These organizations have pioneered a new system of education for people with disabilities.

On any given morning in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, 14 staff members and 15 actors arrive by 8 o'clock in the morning. Together, they hold a tea ceremony. Then they continue to classes, rehearsals, a shared lunch, afternoon workshops, field trips or performances. What has remained constant through the company's 12-year history is this strict routine: they work, learn, create, eat and — for some — live together. The ritual and routine help stabilize the lives of the performers. They develop their artistic and character gifts through educational activities that are closely related to the rehearsal process, the different facets building upon each other thematically.

This model will be repeated during the company's American residencies, giving the communities an opportunity to see their unique process first-hand. They will conduct regular classes, workshops and rehearsals as they do in Slovakia with the involvement of local artists and special needs groups.

As part of its Cedar Rapids residency, Divadlo z Pasáže will perform Chranene Uzemie (The Protected Territory), a play created through a rehearsal process involving a director, choreographer, composer and extensive source material from the performers. Chranene Uzemie brings to the stage the seemingly unrelated stories of adults confronting not only the world around them but also their childhoods. Since the play is largely nonverbal, the music and movement are the main channels of communication in this humorous, haunting and expressionistic piece.

Fri-Sat May 22-23 | 8 pm
$15 advance | $18 day of show | $5 student-artist rush
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids

Related events | During their week in Cedar Rapids, Divadlo z Pasáže will perform Chranene Uzemie; make a presentation at the annual statewide conference of ARC Iowa; and participate in other community activities. The company will also hold two open workshops: Thu May 21 at 7 pm at Prairiewoods, and Sat May 23 at 2 pm at CSPS. The company's workshops are appropriate for artists and theatre professionals, mental health workers, caregivers, educators, students and others. Pre-registration appreciated but not required. For info or to sign up call CSPS at 319.364.1580.

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The US tour of Divadlo z Pasáže is made possible in part from a grant from the Ford Foundation and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Ensemble Theatre Collaborations Grant Program, and by a grant from the Trust for Mutual Understanding.

The presentation of Divadlo z Pasáže in Cedar Rapids is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from the Iowa Arts Council, the General Mills Foundation, and the Land O’Lakes Foundation.