About

THE PROJECT
The U.S. Artists Initiative, produced by Arden2 in partnership with The Grotowski Institute and Center for International Theatre Development (CITD), is a cultural exchange project which will bring a select group of 30 US theatre artists, including both seasoned leaders and emerging professionals, to Poland to be special guests of the The World as a Place of Truth international theatre festival from June 14-30, 2009. In this unique context, participants will meet daily to discuss their hopes and ideas for the future of American theatre.

THE ARTISTS
The group (click here for a complete participant list) is comprised of artists from multiple generations and different parts of the U.S.

THE GOAL
Arden2′s hope is to inspire and invigorate participants individually through immersion in the international theatre community, to bridge the national U.S. theatre community through shared experience, and to plant seeds for future local, national, and international collaboration.

U.S. ARTISTS INITIATIVE
One of the most important theatre revolutionaries of the 20th century, Jerzy Grotowski’s impact on arts and culture in the United States was profound not only because he brought groundbreaking performances to the U.S. from Poland, but largely due to the life-changing visits to Poland that a number of U.S. theatre artists were able to make during Grotowski’s lifetime, training with him, being exposed to and being stretched by Polish experimental theatre. Many of these artists continued on to become leaders in the field of international theatre – their artistry and leadership made exceptional by their cross-cultural experiences. The U.S. Artists Initiative aims to give a diverse mix of U.S. theatre artists a similarly valuable opportunity, through a festival which will introduce them to world master theatre directors, important Central/Eastern European experimental companies, dynamic young Polish artists, and each other. The long-term and sustained impact of our project lies in each of their broadened artistic and cultural perspectives, as well as the seeds for new collaborations that will be planted, both nationally and internationally, between all participating individuals and companies.

ARDEN2
Founded in 1996, Arden2 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit interdisciplinary arts organization that exists to foster international artistic relationships between U.S. artists and their Central/Eastern European counterparts, serving both participants and their respective communities through accessible, collaborative arts and culture events. Since its inception, Arden2 has acted as the primary port of entry for Polish contemporary performance in Southern California and is in the process of expanding to serve other major cultural hubs in the United States. Based on a partnership model, Arden2 also works with a host of universities and community colleges, particularly engaging students and emerging artists who have minimal exposure to international theatre and training opportunities. Arden2 collaborates regularly with major institutions like the Skirball Center, UCLA Live, the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theatre (REDCAT), Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland. Arden2 also regularly facilitates the exchange of U.S. artists to Poland.

SUPPORT
This project has been made possible by the generous support of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Exchange International Program, Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Trust for Mutual Understanding, and the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw.