ACTion: Heart of Europe
July 10 - August 20, 2024
ACTion: Heart of Europe is an immersive 40-day expedition across the bohemian landscapes of Czechia and Slovakia, which culminates in a festival of original devised work in the capital city of Bratislava.
ACTion is an opportunity to:
Amplify often unheard voices through DAT’s Community Storytelling Project
Explore diverse cultures and terrain
Workshop with local experts, artists, and theatre companies
Engage with local communities through arts education and community-led service projects
Collaborate with professional artists to create new devised theatre pieces
Perform original pieces in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city and cultural heart
The breakdown:
Acclimate in Prague
Start the adventure in one of Europe’s top destination cities: Prague, a place where cutting-edge art blooms amidst medieval towers. Explore endless exhibitions and historical sites on your way to visit classics such as the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, and the Dancing House—just to name a few. See a show at one of Prague’s world-renowned theatre companies with your cast and begin your own devised theatrical process with director-led rehearsals and workshops with DAT’s resident playwright. Prepare for upcoming service work with teaching artist workshops led by DAT’s education director as well as other training sessions led by DAT’s experienced team—all on-site in one of the greatest artistic hubs of Europe.
>> Hike in Bohemian Paradise
En route to Brno, we will find ourselves in Bohemian Paradise, Český Ráj - a global UNESCO geopark site. After a busy few days in Prague, we'll welcome the opportunity to recalibrate in nature before heading to Brno. There we'll prepare for our individual cast assignments, but here it’s time to take a hike! Český Ráj offers an escape from the bustling city life with much to explore — stunning sandstone formations, lush valleys, meandering rivers, dramatic caves, castle ruins, and charming chateaus.
Engage in Brno
After a scenic ride through Bohemia, arrive in historic Brno, a city famous for its impressive architecture and rich history as the capital of Moravia. Here, you’ll apply your teaching artist training in a one-day workshop with a local Roma “Gypsy” community. One of Europe’s most historically marginalized populations, the Romani make up Europe’s most disenfranchised community. Their rich culture exists today amidst striking poverty, with Eastern Slovakia (where we’ll head next) representing some of the worst conditions in Europe. To further contextualize our impending community storytelling project work, we’ll also explore Roma historical and contemporary life at Brno’s Museum of Romani Culture, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Roma culture and fighting racism and xenophobia.
Facilitate Storytelling Workshops in a Roma Village
“Creating a space for imagination is creating a space for future action.”
— Martin Wezowski, Futurist
For the most impact, our group will break off by cast at this point, with each settling in at one of four Roma communities in Eastern Slovakia. Casts will work closely with DAT’s longstanding partner, ETP Slovensko, an organization that empowers Roma communities through job training and arts education. DAT actors will engage in a series of workshops with local youth designed to facilitate the process of writing, directing, and performing original theatre pieces for local communities. The workshops will result in free public performances of student devised work that gives voice to their experience.
Some casts will also work with Slumdog Theatre, a small company dedicated to creating and touring theatre pieces that represent issues facing the Romani. In addition, casts will have the opportunity to engage in other types of service work, both designed and led by each local community.
While this is surely the most intensive portion of the journey, our days here will also include some time for ACTion artists to decompress and enjoy the local surroundings.
>> Tour Eastern Slovakia
On the way to your next destination, tour some of the major sites of Eastern Slovakia, such as breathtaking Spiš Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the largest castles in all of Central Europe. Also visit the charming town of Levoča, a village still surrounded by its ancient walls that’s known for its ornately decorated St. James Church, home of the largest wooden gothic altar in all of Europe. This masterpiece was carved by Slovakian folk hero, Master Pavel, whose incredible wooden sculptures are also featured in a local museum dedicated to his work.
Rehearse in the High Tatras
The whole group joins forces again as we arrive in the beautiful mountain town of Ždiar. The fresh air and beautiful views of this pastoral setting make it the perfect place for both rehearsing and relaxing. Your time in the Tatra Mountains will be split between horse drawn sleigh rides, gazing at the stalactites of Belianska Cave, hiking in the mountains, and it’s here where your cast will engage in intensive rehearsals as you polish your devised piece.
At the end of this intensive development time, we’ll share preview performances for local audiences in Ždiar, during which time you’ll receive invaluable feedback on your piece.
Perform in Bratislava at ACTion FEST
Travel to Slovakia’s thriving capital city of Bratislava, where you’ll finalize the technical elements of your devised piece and perform them as part of ACTion FEST VIII — ZOČI-VOČI: Face to Face in Bratislava. This roaming, cross-cultural festival of short plays is designed to celebrate the spirit of cross-cultural collaboration. The final plays developed by each cast will reflect their unique experiences in the Heart of Europe and will raise awareness for the needs of the community and the work of our partner organization in this region.
>> Cast Party in Old Town
Bratislava is also the perfect place to decompress and celebrate our work. Here you’ll enjoy the Old Town’s cobblestoned streets, 18th Century rococo buildings, bustling market, and lively café culture as we share a final toast to the completion of our epic journey together.
WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING?
July 10 - August 20, 2024
>> Cross-Country Travel from July 10 - August 11
>> Festival Rehearsals & Performances in Bratislava from August 12 - 18
>> Cast Farewell Party on August 19
NOTE: ACTion: Heart of Europe will return again in 2027.
COST OF PARTICIPATION
Artist Fee: $7900 USD**
>> THIS AMOUNT INCLUDES:
Lodging for all 40 nights in the Heart of Europe.
A daily food per diem (to cover all meals)
All ground transportation — including bus, train, and boat travel across Czechia and Slovakia
All scheduled activities — including workshops with master teachers, excursions to ancient castle ruins, and more (your days are full)
Traveler’s insurance
Built-in community donation (deepening our impact)
Carbon offsetting (earth-friendly travel)
Professional photographic documentation (travel, teaching, rehearsal, and production photos)
Professional theatrical production of your ensemble’s new work at ACTion FEST
Lifetime membership to DATx and the Alumni Network
And more!
NOTE: Roundtrip international flights are not included. Due to the nature of this project, there are no refunds.
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All returning alumni will automatically receive a $400 USD grant.
In addition, we are currently able to offer two select ACTion $1000 USD grants.
The Alumni Grant and the Alumni Select Grant can be used together. These grants are strictly for DAT’s alumni artists and must be applied towards the cost of participation on ACTion.
To apply, email casting@dramaticadventure.com and state your case why you deserve the grant. In 250-500 words, discuss the value of your previous Dramatic Adventure and what you hope to bring to this ACTion experience. Additional review weight will be given to applications that speak to the impact of the work in the local communities served.
The final deadline for grant applications is March 10, 2024. However we encourage you to apply early.
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These grants are strictly for citizens of Czechia and Slovakia who are also based in those countries. The grant must be applied towards the cost of participation on ACTion.
Email casting@dramaticadventure.com for more details.
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We are more than happy to work with you and your home institution to set up an independent study, practicum, or internship for this experience.
For more details, email casting@dramaticadventure.com.
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Let DAT provide you and your students with an engaging and enriching experience abroad. We’re happy to customize a study abroad experience to meet the needs of your institution. For more details, email info@dramaticadventure.com.
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YES! We have developed a kid’s “day” camp that runs parallel to the ACTion experience — this will give you the freedom to participate in all of the adventures, teaching, rehearsing, and performing required while also allowing you to share special moments with your child.
This was created in an effort to make travel more inclusive. There are additional costs involved.
For those details and more, email casting@dramaticadventure.com.
Ready for a dramatic adventure?
We are carefully selecting actors from across the U.S. and around the world.
We are looking for talented actors who have a strong desire to engage with foreign cultures, explore devised theatre, and empower youth across the world. There are a total of 40 artist positions (actors, directors, writers, and designers) available for this year's expedition. Artists will be strategically placed in a cast based on their skill sets, personality, shared interests, and our particular casting needs. Each cast will consist of 1 director, 1 road manager/translator, and approximately 6 actors, writers, or designers.
Schedule your audition today!
Take the first step of an incredible journey with DAT. Click the button below to sign up for your online audition (live via video conferencing).
If you have any questions, email casting@dramaticadventure.com.