the SUITCASE theatre

Sergej Ignatov (Russia)

A living juggling legend which was included by Karl Ziethen among the four greatest world jugglers (Ziethen, Karl Heinz: Enrico Rastelli. Francis Brunn. Sergei Ignatow. Anthony Gatto. The World Greatest Jugglers. Berlin 1996).

World record keeper (1973) in number of juggled objects – cascade with 11 rings. Awarded the “Silver Clown” prize at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival in 1983 for his act inspired by well-known painters and classical music. In 1995 he was awarded the “ Pista Di Platino” prize at the Gran Premio del Circo in Italy.

It is particularly the perfect juggling technique based on body biomechanics that Sergej Ignatov attempts to deliver at his workshops. We may describe it as the most economical, most direct and most effective hand movement of tosses and catches of juggled objects which enables the juggler to make the most accurate tosses in order to achieve the highest number of juggled objects.

At the same time he stresses the active participation of the whole body in the correct –  thus relaxed body posture, ready to correct any deviation in toss by moving the body into the position which enables us to a correct catch in the ideal hand position. Every hand movement is performed in exact rhythm.

Franz Bauer is a German juggling actor but particularly, he is a professional photographer. He offers workshop of Pantography - “Theatre in pictures”.

Pantography attempts to record the development and scene composition of a particular moment. It includes warm-up exercises, relaxation, awareness of one’s body, movement and theatre improvisation, using voice and creative work. The workshop helps to realize the face-play, gestures, body and voice. It inspires towards playing with the wide range of one´s means of expression and recognizing the body as an instrument. During the process authentic or stylised game is achieved. The scenes and pictures thus get a strong raying. The result of the theatre work is rooted in pictures and therefore, the success is immediately visible. Lifelike and strong expression pictures that will be taken during the workshop under professional conditions are the prize for the participants. The result may be also performed as a stage performance.

Adéla Kratochvílová (1976) has been dealing with theatre since 1991 as she became a member of the Dům Studio at Brno Goose on the String Theatre, under the direction of Eva Tálská. In 1999 Adéla founded a free theatre group Pohyblivé teátrum (flexible theatre) which was later transformed into the Suitcase Theatre. In 2002 she graduated at JAMU, in Education in Drama specialization. At the moment she continues studying at the same university in a doctoral program. The subject of her doctoral, artistic and life research is juggling. In 2005, thanks to various grant supports, she took part in several stays in Europe focused on juggling (stay at a theatre university, Beltain Festival – Edinburgh, Cirkus Cirkör – Stockholm, Jonglieren Katakomben – Berlin, 5-3-1 Festival – Helsinky, etc.) In 1999-2007 she sang Jewish songs with a Brno band Ha-Chucpa. Since 2002 she has been working as a hospital clown for children.

This year Adéla will focus on the movement theatre and creation of the performer´s character in her workshop. The workshop is suitable for all participants with open approach…

Dáša Trávníková (1982) graduated M.A. in English and Music at the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University, Brno in 2005 and Ph.D. in Juggling with ADHD children at the Faculty of Sports Studies in 2008. In 2001 she started to cooperate with Adéla Kratochvílová on a project with Pohyblivé Teátrum and later they founded The Suitcase Theatre. During her pedagogical and artistic activities she uses movement and juggling skills she gained during various workshops of juggling, dance and movement (e.g. Brusel – Espace Catastrophe) as well as musical skills (singing, accordion..). Furthermore, she cooperates with Detlef Vogt (Germany) on shows of fire and light juggling and other theatre-juggling projects in the Czech Republic as well as abroad.

Together with Marika Antonova, Dasha Trávníková is going to give workshop on Juggling and Rhythm. Dasha will also lead workshops of relaxation and massage techniques in order to create a pleasant state of body and soul and stimulation for other activities…