The Presentation Stage

The Presentation Stage started operation as the National Stage for Children and Teenagers in March 1985 during a large get-together of theatre people entitled “The Formula and perspectives for theatre for children and teenagers”. This is one of the oldest – next to  the Biennial and the Film Festival – projects by our institution, run from its inception by Zbigniew Rudziński and supported (previously) by Anna Samecka and Andrzej Łyszyk as well as (currently) Jerzy Moszkowicz and Wojciech Nowak.

Its objective is to show valuable spectacles for children and teenagers that take up topics exemplifying session mottoes or the accompanying conference theme. It is also an attempt to attract attention to the richness and diversity of the theatre directed at the youngest audience. Both Polish and international productions are invited. Residents of Poznań and the guests have the opportunity to participate in theatre events of high calibre.

Within the format of the Stage, the following issues have been debated (examples) „Teenagers' theatre and theatre for teenagers” (October 1985), „Witkacy. For adults only?” (January 1986), „The reception of drama spectacles by the youngest children” (October 1986). The last edition of the Presentation Stage was entitled „The motif of the road in spectacles for children and teenagers” (October 2006) and „Theatre for the youngest children” in November 2006 featuring, among others, Teatro La Baracca from Bologna. In the 1990s our initiative called the Experimental Presentation and Critique Stage was continued. The edition co-organized by the Polish Dance Theatre – Poznań Ballet featuring Compagnie Pierre Droulers, a spectacle based on James Joyce's prose  and a series of workshops for young dancers left an unforgettable impression.

Dance theatre for children and teenagers returned to the Presentation Stage in October 2008, when its central figure was the French troupe Arcosm Company with the play „Echoa”.
Sessions, conferences and open debates are always joined by scientists representing different disciplines, theatre practitioners (directors, actors, literary directors), educators, children, their parents and teenagers.