Árpád Schilling

Born in Cegléd, Hungary, in 1974, Árpád Schilling founded his company Krétakör (engl: chalk circle) while studying theatre directing at the Budapest Theatre Academy. Krétakör has since become renowned far beyond the country’s borders as one of Hungary’s most innovative ensembles. His investigation of the work of Georg Büchner was followed by “W-Workers’ Circus” (based both on “Woyzeck” and poems by the Hungarian poet Attila József), “Leonce and Lena” and “Home, my sweet Homeland” (based on “Danton’s Death), three new interpretations that drew connections with Hungary’s economic situation at the time. He directed productions at the Berlin Schaubühne (“Walpurgisnacht”, Wenedikt Jerofejew, 2002), at Piccolo Theatro in Milan (“Richard III”, William Shakespeare, 2003) and at the Casino of the Vienna Burgtheater (“Hamlet”, William Shakespeare, 2005), among others. He directed his first opera at Bayerische Staatsoper (“La Cenerentola”, Gioachino Rossini) in 2010, followed by productions of “Rigoletto” (Giuseppe Verdi, 2014) and “La damnation de Faust” by Hector Berlioz at Theater Basel in 2014.

Since 2008, Árpád Schilling’s work has been characterised by an experimental-didactic approach. He organises demonstrations and is a outspoken political campaigner. In 2005, he received the renowned Stanislavski Award and in 2009, he was awarded the Europe Theatre Prize “New Theatrical Realities”.

As of May 2016.