"Emotions are the same in every language, in every culture" - Arletta Szewczyk

One of the theaters, which drew my attention on 31st Ulica festival in Krakow is Grupa Zatrzymac Obrotowke from Poland. They had very attractive performance, with some acrobatic parts. "Performances with the disabled and engaging in worked for local community in the Krakow district of Kazimierz" in the program description inspired me to go to backstage, after the show and ask more about their work.

Photo: FB page Zatrzymać Obrotówkę

Attractive performance...

Photo: FB page Zatrzymać Obrotówkę

...with romantic moments

Sooo...meet Arletta Szewczyk, founder of foundation Fundacja Wszyscy Obecni, actress in theater group Zatrzymac Obrotowke. She also works as a teacher in cultural center in Krakow (SCKM Krakow). She was an international volunteer in Spain and was working with elderly people and people with disabilities. Arletta also works as an tourist entertainer. Beside theater, she loves dogs and Disney movies.

Arletta Szewczyk

What should be the role of the theater in one society?

For me the role of the theater is a meeting with another person. This meet could be actor-actor, actor-audience or even audience-audience. Theater is like a reason to make such meeting possible.

In your opinion, what does bring people to your shows? Do they want to have fun watching your attractive performances or there is something more?

I think they want to feel something more than they can usually feel. Sometimes is happiness, sometimes sensitive feelings, sometimes they want to see a world a bit better or world without judges. All kind of art is made to express the feelings, emotions and thoughts that we have inside.

How do you include community into your work?

As a group of theater friends we formed one foundation connected with art and theater to include people that come to our performance to work together. The theater is one tool to meet and great each other and make something good for other people. We try to come with art, theater and culture to the people that can not have this possibility to do it by themselves, for example in homes for old and sick people, prisons, orphans etc.

Is it hard to find common language with a people without using words? Or it is easier on that way?

Before we started to make a performances without words, we were thinking that it will be impossible to find a common language without saying a word. We were worried if people willl enjoy the show, if they will understand it. But we were wrong. Emotions are the same in every language, in every culture. Smile always means smile, tears always mean tears. To open something in other person we don't need words. And even more if the audience are full of kids. They are so open and clear, so they understand our intentions without any problems.

What about the finances? Do you get the support from the government?

Unfortuntely not. Now when we are a foundation we try to write some projects to get some money, but for young and not famous groups like us it is not that easy. But we still try!