Year 2006
We (A Polish-German Project)
The play We was the result of collaborative work between director Daniel Jacewicz and young members of Teatr Brama. This honest story emerged from many hours of rehearsals that primarily consisted of conversations, games, and reflections. During the creative process, the group members drew from personal experiences, emotions, and their current states of mind. These sessions brought out individual feelings, fears, and perceptions of the world around them. Each person involved in the play contributed their own story, forming an intriguing collage of personal narratives that depicted the world as seen through the eyes of youth.
The play explored themes of fear, impermanence, loneliness, and the entrapment of a predetermined life path. However, it was not a sad story—it left ample room for dreams.
The production was the outcome of Polish-German workshops organized during a winter break in collaboration with friends from Greifswald. The play had its actual premiere a year later.
We marked a breakthrough for Brama. It was the first play to arise from such a deep creative process. The close relationships and bonds within the group were crucial—it wasn’t just about “making a play.” It was something deeply meaningful for everyone involved. It also came at a special time when the group was gaining independence and uncompromisingly shaping the purpose and ethos of Brama for years to come.
This was also the first play so distinctly original, composed of self-written texts and improvisations. The work style introduced here later became a model for Brama’s creative process called “Collecting and Sharing.” This method was subsequently used in plays such as Feelings in Sound, Ghost Dance, and Fakeryzm.
(Daniel Jacewicz, 25 August 2020)
Cast:
Kinga Binkowska, Szymon Lechwar, Dominik Murach, Aleksandra Nykowska, Maciej Ratajczyk, Marcin Styborski, Dorota Ziemińska (later joined by Piotr Nykowski, Anna Rynkiewicz)
- First performance: 28 January 2006
- Last performance: 28 March 2006
- Number of performances: 2
I Łaknienia (The Cravings)
*”The Cravings were a natural extension of activities aimed at high school students, undertaken annually by Daniel to celebrate International Theatre Day. At the same time, it was an attempt to return to the unique character of the old BRAMAT festival—a gathering of young theatre groups just beginning their journey on stage. These groups had the raw energy of youth, rebellion, sarcastic humor, and dissatisfaction with the world around them—not necessarily rich in experience or technical theatrical awareness.
At the first Cravings, eighteen theatre groups from across the region participated, including groups from Złocieniec, Kołobrzeg, Ińsko, Kalisz Pomorski, Gryfino, Szczecin, and Goleniów. The atmosphere was fantastic. Actors had the chance to meet in such a large group, exchange views, and share opinions about their performances.
The main prize went to the anarchistic, satirical group Oranges in the Ear on the Hill without a Note. Their work turned deliberate ‘ineptitude’ into a theatrical strength. The group’s founders included Maciej Ratajczyk and Karol Barcki.”*
(Marta Poniatowska, Droga Bramy, pp. 155–157)
The idea for The Cravings originated from my theatrical experiences at the XIV High School in Szczecin, where a class festival was held annually during Humanities Week. Forced to perform in a class play, I developed a deep interest in theatre. I tried to bring this initiative to Goleniów High School. The classes presented excellent work, while Brama provided technical support and invited jurors. Winning groups performed on the stage of the Cultural Center. Over time, these shows evolved into The Cravings, featuring invited groups from across the country.
(Daniel Jacewicz, 25 August 2020)
Departure from Goleniów – Conflict with Local Authorities
Shortly after the first Cravings, Daniel Jacewicz decided to leave Goleniów. After ten years of running a theatre in the city, Brama’s story there came to an abrupt end due to a sudden conflict with the city authorities and the Goleniów Cultural Center. This was a difficult period for Brama. The group was disoriented and had to find their footing in a new city. Although they severed ties with Goleniów, they aimed to stay close, working on projects in nearby places such as Strzelewo and Szczecin.
By late spring 2006, Daniel had moved to Szczecin and begun working with Teatr Kana. Teatr Brama participated in projects organized by Kana’s Theatre Center, including the Outdoor Street Artists Festival, a large site-specific project, and later the seminal edition of the OKNO festival.
10th Anniversary of Teatr Brama
On 21 October 2006, the 10th anniversary of Teatr Brama was celebrated at Teatr Kana. The event was lively and joyful, with dozens of participants from Brama’s theatrical projects, friends of the theatre, and its fans in attendance.
The celebration began with a performance of The Party by Sławomir Mrożek, featuring Marek Kościółek, Paweł Danilewicz, and Michał Wąż as three farmhands. This was followed by the screening of a film documenting Brama’s history, showcasing key moments and events.
After the play and film, everyone moved to Kana’s basement, where champagne and a warm meal awaited. There were no speeches—only a toast by Daniel, celebrating the past ten years and toasting to the next ten. After the festive gathering, a performance of Chekhov’s The Jubilee offered a biting but truthful satire of life in small-town Goleniów.
Statistics:
- Events: 20
- Plays: 14
- We – 3
- The Party – 2
- Seekers of Happiness – 4
- The Curse – 2
- Other – 4
- Concerts: 6
- Song Concerts – 5
- Plays: 14