Unlike all other means of self-representation, the theatrical arts represent in today’s world something enormously valuable. They embody several rare phenomena that society has marginalized.

Foremost, it is an art that needs human society for its existence and is also able to reshape the anonymous masses of humanity in such a society. Unlike other dramatic arts that need some technical medium for their existence, man himself is the medium in theatre. Encounters are a prerequisite for theatre, and theatre is one of the few arts that facilitates encounters.

It is furthermore an fundamental art, of which the strongest means and instrument is man himself in his carnality; it is an art that presupposes the involvement of the person as a whole in physical and mental unity.

It is an art that cannot be prefabricated. In theatre one cannot record the movements of an actor and then use a computer to model his behavior at will. Theatre is an experience of the hear and now, undiluted, often imperfect, containing elements of chance and adventure like life itself. In this it has something in common with sports. We would not want to see 3D representations instead of real athletes.

Work in theatres can be hard. It takes mental and physical endurance and the ability to turn deficiencies (in the broadest sense) into assets. Theatre has never been a cornucopia overflowing with wealth.

Theatre is the art of persuasiveness. The man of the theatre must convince others that with all the competing entertainment and diversions, it is worth it to sit in an uncomfortable chair for three hours and watch imaginary action.

Theatre is an ensemble art. The man of the theatre must be able to get along with people and must be willing to step into the back-ground so that an ensemble work can emerge that facilitates what is most precious: the phenomenon of interplay – the image of free, mutual human communication.

The theatre faculty prepares such student: people who love the authenticity of encounters and of shared creation with its process that comes with no guarantees; people who are determined to captivate, persuade, who are able to achieve their visions and to yield at the moment when it is necessary to subjugate that vision to a collective effort. It isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile. To all who wish to attempt it and are determined to devote their lives to the theatre, I have but one wish:

Break a leg!

doc. Jan Hančil
Dean