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Roma Theatre

The Roma people are a traditionally nomadic ethnic group living mostly in Europe. Learn more about their rich artistic tradition and exciting contemporary work through the Journal series Roma Theatre in Europe, or watch work from the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020.

The Latest

Viewpoints for Achieving Authentic Representation of Roma Communities on Stage
Essay
Viewpoints for Achieving Authentic Representation of Roma Communities on Stage
by Tímea Éva Bogya, Márton Illés
27 March 2024
Should We Write Differently About Roma Theatre?
Essay
Should We Write Differently About Roma Theatre?
by Noémi Herczog, Éva Moharos
25 March 2024
A Roundtable Discussion on Roma Heroes International Theater Festival, Sixth Edition
Video
A Roundtable Discussion on Roma Heroes International Theater Festival, Sixth Edition
Presented by the Independent Theater Hungary
Thursday 28 March 2024
performer with folded paper on top of her head.
Interview with Mihaela Drăgan about Tell Them About Me / Del Duma (Romania)
Video

Interview with Mihaela Drăgan about Tell Them About Me / Del Duma (Romania)

Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021

Friday 22 October 2021 and Tuesday 30 November 2021
Romania

Independent Theater Hungary in partnership with HowlRound Theatre Commons presented the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021 which included forty livestreams of twenty shows and twenty interviews from Romani artists in ten countries who were featured during four editions of the Roma Heroes International Theater Festival, Budapest.

Performer playing a hand drum.
Interview with Zsolt Fekete-Lovas about Perkucigo / Perkucigó (Romania)
Video

Interview with Zsolt Fekete-Lovas about Perkucigo / Perkucigó (Romania)

Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021

Thursday 21 October 2021 and Tuesday 30 November 2021

Independent Theater Hungary in partnership with HowlRound Theatre Commons presented the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021 which included forty livestreams of twenty shows and twenty interviews from Romani artists in ten countries who were featured during four editions of the Roma Heroes International Theater Festival, Budapest.

performer lying in a bed.
Interview with František Balog about Roma from the Duvet or Enter the Majority! / Róm z perinky alebo Enter the Majority! (Slovak Republic)
Video

Interview with František Balog about Roma from the Duvet or Enter the Majority! / Róm z perinky alebo Enter the Majority! (Slovak Republic)

Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021

Wednesday 20 October 2021 and Monday 29 November 2021
Slovak Republic

Independent Theater Hungary in partnership with HowlRound Theatre Commons presented the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021 which included forty livestreams of twenty shows and twenty interviews from Romani artists in ten countries who were featured during four editions of the Roma Heroes International Theater Festival, Budapest.

performer in a black shirt in front of a projection screen.
Interview with Alina Serban about I Declare at My Own Risk (Romania, United Kingdom)
Video

Interview with Alina Serban about I Declare at My Own Risk (Romania, United Kingdom)

Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021

Tuesday 19 October 2021 and Monday 29 November 2021
Romania, United Kingdom

Independent Theater Hungary, in partnership with HowlRound Theatre Commons, presented the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021.

Roma Theatre Retrospective Logo
Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021
Video

Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021

Celebrating Four Years of Contemporary, International Romani Theatre

Tuesday 19 October to Friday 10 December 2021
Worldwide

Independent Theater Hungary in partnership with HowlRound Theatre Commons presented the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2021 which included forty livestreams of twenty shows and twenty interviews from Romani artists in ten countries who were featured during four editions of the Roma Heroes International Theater Festival, Budapest. Livestreaming on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network Tuesday 19 October to Friday 10 December 2021.

Image of people sitting outdoors at a park during a performance.
Narratives of Activity in Traveller Drama Literature
Essay

Narratives of Activity in Traveller Drama Literature

Examining the plays It’s a Cultural Thing by Michael Collins and The Hardest Word and Today’s Lesson by Richard R. O’Neill

18 November 2021

Rodrigó Balogh, artistic director of the Independent Theater Hungary, shares his work and experiences creating a workshop series for Roma youth focused on several plays from the Roma Heroes International Theater Festival.

Performer with puppet.
Roma Heroes, Superpowers, and Human Agency: Exploring Taboo Topics in Independent Theater Hungary’s Festivals
Essay

Roma Heroes, Superpowers, and Human Agency: Exploring Taboo Topics in Independent Theater Hungary’s Festivals

11 November 2021

Pulling from works in the Independent Theater Hungary’s annual Roma Heroes International Theatre Festival, Rosamaria Kostic Cisneros discusses the ways that festival artists created and staged nuanced depictions of Roma life. Cisneros highlights several of these plays and pays particular attention to their representations of potentially taboo material.

A woman holding a white scarf over her head.
Roma Women on the Way to Self-Realization
Essay

Roma Women on the Way to Self-Realization

Performance Excerpts from the Last Four Years of the Roma Heroes International Theater Festival

4 November 2021

János Róbert Orsós reflects on the representation of Roma women in the plays presented during the past four years of the Independent Theater Hungary’s Roma Heroes International Theater Fesitval.

A woman holding a protest sign
Roma Identity: From Stigmatization to Reconstruction
Essay

Roma Identity: From Stigmatization to Reconstruction

28 October 2021

Luiza Medeleanu discusses the importance and impact of Roma representation through her analysis of four Roma social plays.

Seven people at a bar table.
Reimagining a Segregated World: Roma Heroes, European Dramas
Essay

Reimagining a Segregated World: Roma Heroes, European Dramas

21 October 2021

Noémi Herczog discusses the need for greater Roma visibility on stage and introduces Roma Heroes: Five European Dramas, a new collection that anthologizes plays from the Independent Theater Hungary’s Roma Heroes International Theater Festival.

Hardcover book of Roma Heroes Five European Dramas placed on a table.
Roma Heroes - Five European Dramas
Video

Roma Heroes - Five European Dramas

On European Culture Day, at the Goethe Institute, Budapest

Monday 20 September 2021
Budapest, Hungary

Independent Theater Hungary released Roma Heroes - Five European Dramas on European Culture Day livestreaming on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network Monday 20 September 2021 at 9 a.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC -7 ) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:00 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:00 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:00 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3)

Illustration by Silent Fox, inspired by the essay.
When Theatre Will Become Fully Itself: Digital Supratheatre and the Fight for an Inclusive Future
Essay

When Theatre Will Become Fully Itself: Digital Supratheatre and the Fight for an Inclusive Future

Translated by Cecilia Laslo

25 May 2021

Mihaela Drăgan introduces digital supratheatre—a theatre of the future with two underlying principles: technological change and social change.

Glod: Political Theatre as a Civil Right event poster.
Corp Urban by Giuvlipen
Video

Corp Urban by Giuvlipen

Performance followed by a panel discussion

Monday 22 March 2021
United Kingdom

Glod: Political Theatre as a Civil Right presented Corp Urban by Giuvlipen livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 22 March at 11 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 2 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 6 p.m. GMT (London, UTC +0) / 20:00 EET (Cluj, UTC +2).

person in a bed, holding a book.
The Roma from the Duvet or Enter the Majority (Slovakia)
Video

The Roma from the Duvet or Enter the Majority (Slovakia)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Tuesday 27 October 2020
Slovakia

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around The Roma from the Duvet or Enter the Majority (Slovakia) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 16:30 GMT (London, UTC +0) / 17:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +1) / 18:30 EET (Bucharest, UTC +2).

Roma Heroes Festival poster.
Artists Conversations from the 4th Roma Heroes International Theater Festival
Video

Artists Conversations from the 4th Roma Heroes International Theater Festival

Several of this year's festival artists discussing their work in Roma theatre.

Monday 19 October 2020
Budapest, Hungary

Independent Theater Hungary presented a conversation with several of the 4th Roma Heroes International Theater Festival artists livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Monday 19 October at 11:30 a.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC -7) / 2:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 19:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 20:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 21:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

Who killed Szomna Grancsa? (Romania)
Video

Who killed Szomna Grancsa? (Romania)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Tuesday 13 October 2020
Romania

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around Who killed Szomna Grancsa? (Romania) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

actor on stage
A conversation around Del Duma (Romania)
Video

A conversation around Del Duma (Romania)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Monday 12 October 2020
Romania

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around Del Duma (Romania) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 12 October 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

performer sitting, wearing a black button-down and black pants.
It’s a cultural thing. Or is it? (Ireland)
Video

It’s a cultural thing. Or is it? (Ireland)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Thursday 8 October 2020
Ireland

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around It’s a cultural thing. Or is it? (Ireland) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 8 October 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

actor on stage with chameleon outline in background
Chameleon Girl (Hungary)
Video

Chameleon Girl (Hungary)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Tuesday 6 October 2020
Hungary

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around Chameleon Girl (Hungary) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 6 October 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

A performer holding a puppet.
Children of the Wind (Italy)
Video

Children of the Wind (Italy)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Monday 5 October 2020
United States

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around Children of the Wind (Italy) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 5 October 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

portrait of richard o'neill
The Hardest Word (Scotland)
Video

The Hardest Word (Scotland)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Wednesday 30 September 2020
Scotland, United Kingdom

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around The Hardest Word (Scotland) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

actor in black shirt on stage
You Didn’t See Anything! (Romania)
Video

You Didn’t See Anything! (Romania)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Monday 28 September 2020
Romania

Independent Theater Hungary presented a conversation around You Didn’t See Anything! (Romania) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 28 September 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

A Conversation about Profound Dignity (Spain)
Video

A Conversation about Profound Dignity (Spain)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Tuesday 22 September 2020
Spain

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around Profound Dignity (Spain) with the Roma Theatre Retrospective livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 22 September 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

actors onstage in hospital beds
A Conversation around Shoddies (Hungary)
Video

A Conversation around Shoddies (Hungary)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Monday 21 September 2020
Hungary

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around Shoddies (Hungary) with the Roma Theatre Retrospective livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 21 September 2020 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. EDT (UTC -4) / 18:00 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2).

urban body performance poster
(Canceled) Performance of Urban Body by Giuvlipen, a feminist Roma theatre company
Video

(Canceled) Performance of Urban Body by Giuvlipen, a feminist Roma theatre company

in Bucharest, Romania

Tuesday 10 March 2020
Bucharest, Romania

(Event Canceled) Giuvlipen—a feminist Roma theatre company—presents their performance of Urban Body livestreaming from Bucharest, Romania on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Tuesday 10 March 2020 at 11 a.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC-7) / 2 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4) / 18:00 GMT (London, UTC+0) / 19:00 CET (Budapest, UTC+1) / 20:00 EET (Bucharest, UTC+2).