Workshop of Theater Photography From the International Theater Festivals
in Pilsen

Theater photographry, a genre without which we would perhaps have no stage today, without which perhaps no works could circulate. However, theater photography is not purely a record of performance, a document of scenography, actors, and theater presentations. Theater photography is a specific and very sophisticated genre, which exercises the experience, aptitude, and creative art of each photographer and the ability to communicate with actors, directors, scenographers and others, who „do“ theater.

Every year since 2000 visitors to the International Festival of Theater in Pilsen have come into contact with the work of university photography school students in the course of visiting the festival. An exhibition of photography from the last year is normally a part of the festival. These dozens of photographs are always a testimony of the diligent work of the students involved.

The first lecturer of the workshop in the year 2000 was a master of Czech theater photography- Jaroslav Krejčí. His personality, experience, wisdom, emotive and enthusiastic form transmits his experience, and has interested and even attracted various students to theater photography, we will forever miss him. In other years lectures were given by Viktor Kronbauer, Josef Ptáček and Jan Regal, distinguished, experienced professional photographers, not only in the genre of theater photography. They impart their rich experiences, teach us students how to get around in the theater, teach us to recognize the beauty and mystery of theater photography. This adventure, the photography of theater performance, is a unique opportunity for students to get to know important world theater companies and their works.

The workshop is based on the legacy of Jaroslav Krejčí and other masters of Czech theater photography.

Jaroslav Prokop, Workshop chair