Thursday, Oct. 15, 1964 University Daily Kansan
Page 13
Janusz Warminski
KU Students Impress Playwright
Who could produce Polish drama better than a Polish Director and playwright?
Janusz Warminski, director of the Ateneum Theater in Warsaw, Poland, will direct three one-act plays by Slawomir Mrozek. The plays, "At Sea," "Charlie" and "Strip Tease" will open the Experimental Theatre season on Oct. 26.
Warminski directed the plays in Poland last year.
During his six week stay at KU, Warminski is also leading a seminar on international theater.
WARMINSKI FEELS the plays, even though very avant garde, will be successful here. "I wouldn't say that the general American public would like them, but students are thoughtful, intellectual audiences. And your theater here is very ambitious," he said.
"I am amazed at the devotion of American theater students," he said. "They are in class all day, rehearse every night, and then go home to study."
Warminski is impressed with the university theater program in this country. "Your theater is so wonderfully equipped," he said. "It should play a very important part in popularizing good theater."
"IF I CAN IN any way contribute to your theater program, I will be happy," he said.
There is no university theater program in Poland, he said. Instead, almost every town has its own professional theater company.
Polish theaters are supported by the government, he said. Actors are highly regarded, not only by the public, but by the state.
Theater entertainment is more popular in Poland than America. "There are clubs of theater fans who support the actors and directors," he explained.
"THE THEATER IS regarded as a relaxation and fulfilment of one's education," he said. "And then we do not have so many movies and television shows."
Every town has its own professional company, Warmax said. "There are 20 theaters in Warsaw alone," he said.
Warminski has been manager and artistic director of the Ateneum theater for 10 years. He is also a playwright and was an actor. "Althrough I always wanted to be a director, I thought I should know an actor's work," he explained.
HIS SPECIAL INTEREST is contemporary Polish drama. "I consider the support of modern Polish drama the hallmark of my theater," he said.
Under his direction, the Ateneum has become well known in Europe. Four years ago he established the only theater in the round in Poland.
His extensive theater work consumes most of his time but Warinski considers his work as his life. "I cannot imagine my life without my work." he said.
Warminski has been in the United States for only 10 days. His visit was made possible by the cultural exchange program of the State Department. After leaving Kansas he will visit California, several southern states and New York City.
Warminski is married to Alexandra Slaska, European film actress. His wife is appearing in a film which won the International Film Critics award at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival.
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