International Programs

Prague

The Academy of Performing Arts (AMU) in Prague was established as an institution of higher education in 1946. At the same time it was divided into three independent faculties: Music (HAMU), Film (FAMU) and Theatre (DAMU). Initially, DAMU offered study opportunities in acting, direction, stage design and dramaturgy; now puppetry, arts management, theatre studies and drama education are integral parts of this Faculty. On December 10, 1998, an exchange agreement was signed between the Department of Theatre, OSU and the Academy of Performing Arts, Prague, Czech Republic.

The two institutions have found it mutually beneficial to initiate cooperative activities in theatre and the performing arts for the following purpose:

Exchange of faculty for lecturing, directing, designing, workshops, technical design and theatre technology, and research.
Cooperation on collaborative activities such as an exhibition of theatre design, co-produced performances, and the documentation and preservation of designated theatre materials (for the Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute, OSU).
Exchange of students for advanced theatre training.

In fall 2000 designer Jaroslav Malina was a guest artist in residence. Following his residency, Mary Tarantino went to Prague to run a master class in lighting (Spring 2002.) In Fall 2004 Petr Matasek, designer and director, was in residence, teaching a design workshop.

In addition to the residencies the Department of Theatre has helped to support two major exhibitions on Czech theatre design. The first, Metaphor and Irony: Czech Theatre Design from 1920 to 1999 took place at the Ohio Arts Council Riffe Gallery in fall 2000 and then had a national tour. The second, Metaphor and Irony II took place at multiple venues on the OSU campus in fall 2004.

Also in Fall 2004 Joe Brandesky ran a course entitled Contemporary Czech Theatre and students went to Prague for ten days in December. This course will be offered again in Spring 2007 and students will go to Prague for the Prague Quadrennial, which takes place June 15-24, 2007

For more information regarding the Prague International Program, please contact the Department of Theatre at 614-292-5821 or by email.