Theater, Music and Dance Studio was founded in 1987 by Elzbieta Armatys. It was the first artistic school in Cracow, that combined these three arts – theater, music and dance. Both kids, teenagers and adults, regularly attend classes led by professional actors, choreographers and musicians. Anyone who has the ambition or simply wants to live out the greatest adventure of their life can study with us.
Elzbieta Armatys was one of the first in Poland to reach for the difficult art the musical theater is. Our Studio can take pride in the successful premieres of the following musicals: ‘West Side Story’, ‘Cats, kittens and…’ (based on ‘Cats’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber), ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Grease’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and others. All of those plays were not merely faithful copies of the Broadway versions – each and every premiere was a unique and creative interpretation, that used the original music as a template. Our Studios work is not limited to that, as we have created brand new plays, such as ‘Adventures of a Cheating Flea’ (based on a poem by Jan Brzechwa) or the pastorale ‘Towards Jesus on Toes’ (‘Do Jezuska na paluszkach’), which have won multiple prizes and honours at many festivals and contests over the last 20 years.
Our students take part in numerous declamatory and musical competitions with great success. Many of them also had the privilege of playing on stage in many of Cracow’s mainstream theaters. Teenagers and kids that study in our Studio are often invited to perform in both radio and television shows, take part in public concerts, promotions and outdoor events.
It should also be noted that our Studio is not just a regular school, but also a place where students can tear themselves from the daily routine, fully devote to their passions and make long lasting friendships. All that combined makes up for a unique atmosphere that is most helpful during classes and the creation of artistic work. Although to many it may seem unbelievable, it is young people’s desire to work hard, along with their great enthusiasm, that drives the group.
editor – Monika Amiri (our Studio’s student)
translation – Bazyli Brzoska (also our student)