Ágota Szalánczi, a fourth-year dramaturgy student, participated in the International Theatre Workshop organized by the University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) in Sopron. The workshop brought together acting teachers and young actor- and directing students from Romania, Peru, Spain, Bulgaria, Mongolia, and Hungary, with the involvement of MATE University in Kaposvár.
Szalánczi, the only dramaturgy student in the program, joined the creation of 15–20-minute performances inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Over eight days, participants trained in the mornings and collaborated in mixed international teams in the afternoons to prepare for the final presentations.
Working without a pre-written script and in a multilingual environment, Szalánczi focused on structuring nonverbal scenes rooted in impressions and emotions rather than text. “It was a safe, inspiring space where we explored how to tell this classic story through shared universal experiences,” she noted.
Her group, led by directing student Bonifác Korda, staged their piece in the dreamy setting of Sopron University’s botanical garden, at the Erzsébet Spring. The production used minimal dialogue, emphasizing movement, silence, and music, accompanied by natural sounds and a Hungarian folk song.
Beyond the artistic process, the workshop fostered deep personal and professional connections. Participants shared presentations about their studies, explored cultural sites like the Fertőrákos Quarry Theatre, and bonded through late-night gatherings and collaborative problem-solving—even adapting their final performance to include an injured teammate.
The workshop concluded with six outdoor performances attended by a large audience despite the rain. “It was empowering to see so many people come together to celebrate our work,” Szalánczi reflected. “I left Sopron with new skills, fresh perspectives, and a strong sense of creative freedom that I hope to carry into my future projects.”
Source: University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE)
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