Dah Theatre Research Centre

In 1991, when the war started in Yugoslavia, DAH Theatre immediately had to face these questions: "What is the role and meaning of theatre? What is the responsibility and duty of artists in times of darkness, violence and human suffering?'' In their search for the answers the group interrupted work on their current performance, "Gifts of Our Ancestors"and began work on a performance that could provide them with the answers to these questions. This became Dah's first performance, "This Babylonian Confusion", based on the songs of Bertold Brecht. This anti-war performance took place outdoors in the centre of Belgrade, at a time when it was forbidden to even mention the war.

"The forming of DAH Theatre and its cry of creation coincided with the fall of ex-Yugoslavia and the general destruction that followed. Theatre directors Jadranka Andjelic and Dijana Milosevic, together with the actress Maja Mitic, decided, perhaps subconsciously, to oppose the destruction with creation, to create, in the midst of a world falling apart, a microcosmos of theatre."
Dubravka Knezevic
("Till the Last Breath", SCENA no. 5/6, Sept/Dec 1995.)

Great theatre masters have said that the first steps of a theatre group determines its destiny. This performance absolutely determined the destiny of DAH Theatre, forming the main postulates of its practice. The themes through which DAH Theatre expresses its poetics are always connected with the relation of an individual in dark times and history.

Since 1997th to 2003rd Jadranka Andjelic cooperates with "OM" Theatre in Denmark. During this period Dijana Milosevic leads the work of DAH Theatre, along with the actresses Maja Mitic (in DAH Theatre since it's foundation 1991st) and Sanja Krsmanovic Tasic (in DAH Theatre since 1993rd) expands programs of Center. In 2002nd Aleksandra Jelic joins them. In 2003rd Jadranka Andjelic returns from Denmark and within the Center forms her own project - Jadranka Andjelic Project, and reinvolves in Center's work.

DAH Theatre Research Center are:

Elizabeta Kurela - organizer

DAH Theatre
Aleksandra Damnjanovic - permanent collaborator/musician
Jugoslav Hadzic - musician
Nebojša Ignjatovic - permanent collaborator/musician
Aleksandra Jelic - actress
Dijana Milosevic - director
Maja Mitic - actress
Nedeljko Paripovic - permanent collaborator/visual artist
Sanja Krsmanovic Tasic - actress

Jadranka Anđelic Project
Jadranka Andelic - director
Antonella Diana - set and costume designer

Mission

To be an independent non-govermental group in this country, during the last years, has been a great challenge. Through their work the members of DAH Theatre have strongly opposed the war and violence.

"In the contemporary world, destruction and violence can only be opposed by the creation of sense"- is the founding and continuing motto of DAH Theatre.

The goal of the Dah Theatre Research Centre is a constant exchange of knowledge, experience and programs among artists and theatre professionals from different theatrical and national traditions.

The artistic education of young people is another important goal, reflected in the ongoing programs of theatre and dance training, and many workshops by visiting artists and pedagogues.

Activities:

Performances
Work Demonstrations
Workshops
Lectures
Programs for Youth

Festival and Meetings
Networks
International School
Tours

From 1993 until today the Centre has organised and produced many events, i.e. specialised workshops (Laban techniques, Alexander techniques, Maga Magazinovic heritage, Stilts workshop, Buhto, Suzuki techniques), international festivals and meetings and has brought many important artists from around the world (Odin Teatret - Denmark, Joshi Oida - France/Japan, Shiro Daimon- France /Japan, Sonia Kehler - Germany, Jill Greenghalgh - UK, David Zinder - Israel, Ron Jenkins- SAD, 7 Stages Theatre -SAD, Bond Street Theater - USA, Stella Chiweshe - Zimbabwe, to mention just few).

During all these years Dah Theatre has toured extensively in Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

In 1997 DAH Theatre was among several companies with whom the director of ODIN Theatre, Eugenio Barba, shared the "Luigi Pirandello award that he received that year.

After 12 years of work DAH Theatre Research Centre at last moved into its own space in Maruliceva street 8 in Belgrade, with the support and recommendation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Department of the Municipality of Belgrade and Department of Education of the Municipality of Belgrade.

With our own means we financed the initial space adaptation but for the full activity of our centre it is necessary to adapt the bigger part of the space that will be mostly used as theatre halls of multimedia character.

With the additional adaptation we will gain two performing spaces, the entering corridor, wardrobes, toilets for the audience, a storage room for the technical equipment, costumes and props. [drawing]

In spring 2004 , a performing space of 100 m2 was put up in function with the financial support of Ministry of Culture and City Council of Belgrade for the equipment of the space. We expect the continuation of the works which will provide the conditions for all activities of the Dah Theatre Research Centre.

LOCAL
Through its activities DAH Theatre Research Centre is addressing the general public interested in contemporary theatre and culture, of all ages and genders. In the Vracar Municipality, the Centre has the goal of becoming a place of gathering for its citizens, through various programs from all realms of performing arts, and in collaboration with other artists (visual, video, film, writers, theoreticians).

Likewise the Centre wants to collaborate with different organisations and associations (informal initiatives, networks, women's associations, peace organisations, groups with special needs, ethnic groups and minorities...) that would find this mutually beneficial.

REGIONAL / INTERNATIONAL
Based in Belgrade, Serbia, our centre has a central geographical position in the region. We are easily reachable and our programs are attractive and affordable for the participants of the region. The Centre itself, with its two performing spaces, offices and adjoining facilities will be an ideal environment for running the programs.

We want our centre to be a meeting place for artists, managers of culture, experts, different organisations and initiatives, young people and audience of all ages and gender from the region and people from the local community by:

Bringing the cultural worker, artists, managers, and experts from the region to meet among themselves and with the local community
Creating the conditions for collaboration and common projects
Touring our productions in the Region
Exchanging experiences between young people from our country and countries in the region through working together for longer periods.
Developing a modern educational centre for contemporary arts and management that gives an opportunity for practical work in the organisation and realisation of the programs.

Our goal also is to create a place that can empower people in facing the difficulties of society in transition.

The Dah Theatre RESEARCH CENTRE can represent a bridge between our region and the wider community. By bringing leading artists and experts to our centre we can provide for them information, exchange of knowledge and learning under affordable conditions.

In this direction we have already initiated some projects.

WE INVITE ALL DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN CREATING OUR MODERN CULTURAL CENTRE IN BELGRADE TO BECOME DONORS TO DAH THEATRE RESEARCH CENTRE SPACE !

Of course, your donation can be anonymous, but we have also planned a special WALL OF DONORS that will occupy the main hall of our theatre. On this wall brass plaques will be fixed with the names of the donors that helped us. The plaques will be of the finest material with the engraved name of the donor also painted in black.

Contact us for any additional information or explanation. If you wish to talk with us or visit us in Maruliceva No.8 in Belgrade, you are very welcome!