Spring Weekend: Hoped I Wouldn't Meet Myself Today at Bohemian National Hall

Sunday, May 12, 3 pmUrn on an Empty Stage by Martin Cicvak, translated by Katarina Briggler, directed by Michael Piatkowski Stage reading, Talk Back & After PartyIn Urn on an Empty Stage, Martin Cicvak brilliantly explores the dynamics between authoritative figures and their victims, particularly women. Using the Greek myth of Europa, the play attacks the problem of gender equality and the status of women in todays society. The story begins when three actresses and an opera diva meet on an empty stage. They have come to say their last farewell to a great director whose ashes they have brought with them in an urn.With him, the women want to bury memories of career highlights along with recollections of the traumas the director caused them. But they are getting stuck in the preparation of the ceremony. They cant come to an accord about its nature, or even agree about what has been and what is to come. At its heart, the play is a testimony to the complex relationships in the world of theater - the three actresses fight and detest each other, but also find themselves in tender harmony.Martin Cicvak is a native of Kosice, Slovakia. His plays include Frankie is OK, Peggy is Fine and the House is Cool, Agent Sonia, Kukura, and Urn on an Empty Stage. His works have been produced across Europe including at Grace Theater London (under his own direction), Norwich Playhouse, State Theater Kosice (Slovakia), The North Theater in Satu Mare (Romania) and State Theater in Novi Sad (Serbia). Cicvaks awards include the Alfred Radok Awardfor Talent of the Year (2000) and the most prestigious Slovak theater award Dosky (2004) for Best Direction and Best Production of Schimmelpfennigs Arabian Night at the Slovak National Theater. From 1999 - 2004 he was the resident director of the National Theater in Brno. In 2000, he started to direct at the Prague theater The Drama Club. Cicvak has also directed productions in Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna, Ljubljana, and Norwich. He has a Masters degree in Directing from Janacek Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (JAMU) in Brno, Czech Republic and studied directing at Dartington College of Arts in London on the Erasmus Scholarship.Michael Piatkowski began his professional theatre career, age 12, at the Jan Hus Playhouse (just a block up from BNH) playing Pinocchio. Throughout his 55 year career in New York theater, he has been a director, playwright, as well as a prolific costume designer for many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Most recently, he has directed at the Alchemical Theater, The Secret Theater, The Players Theater, and The Alpha Theater Company, among others. He is thrilled to be working on this new exciting play with these amazing actresses.