Willem Dafoe Sets Venice Theater Festival Program, Including ‘Pinocchio,’ and He Will Perform, Too

by

Willem Dafoe has announced his initial plans as the artistic director of La Biennale di Venezia’s theater department. This includes a fresh interpretation of Pinocchio, along with an experimental performance, where he himself will participate. The Venice Biennale is the organization that manages the Venice Film Festival.

Last summer, I inked a two-year contract extending up to 2026, and today, I unveiled my initial season’s lineup. Among the shows is Davide Iodice’s “Pinocchio — What Is a Person?”, which aligns perfectly with my promise that my theater program will trace my personal growth – essentially, an expedition into the core of what it means to be human.

The 53rd International Theater Festival in Venice will run May 31-June 15.

In his presentation on Thursday, Dafoe expressed his desire to showcase works that embody the essence of theater’s power – movement, verse, and ceremony. He also drew attention to the lineup’s inclusion of artists he greatly respects such as Thomas Ostermeier, Milo Rau, and Bob Holman, as well as those who have indirectly impacted him like Thomas Richards and the Odin Teatret. Additionally, he mentioned encountering new talent like Davide Iodice, whose rendition of ‘Pinocchio’ in Naples left a lasting impression on him from start to finish.

As a passionate gamer, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be collaborating with the Italian actress Simonetta Solder for an artistic tribute to the late Richard Foreman, a trailblazer of America’s avant-garde scene. In honor of his recent passing this year, we’re embarking on an innovative, boundary-pushing project that the Biennale has labeled as a “performative experiment.” Although it doesn’t have a title yet, this intriguing endeavor can be found on their program.

In the “Today’s Maestros” segment, Romeo Castellucci brings his world debut production, I mangiatori di patate, to Venice on Lazzaretto Vecchio; Ostermeier, head of Berlin’s Schaubühne, introduces the Italian premiere of Changes by Maja Zade; and Rau, director of the Wiener Festwochen, presents his new work, Die Seherin, featuring the acclaimed actress Ursina Lardi who will receive a Silver Lion during the festival. The Biennale emphasizes that these artists are a testament to enduring creativity and theatrical teaching methods, offering valuable insights about the concept and boundaries of the expressive human body.

In Iodice’s version of Pinocchio, it is noted that the diverse ensemble of young actors, who have conditions such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, Williams syndrome, or Asperger syndrome, present a multitude of potential Pinocchios, each unique and invaluable.

Holman, a legendary figure from the U.S., known as the heir to the Beat Generation and a master of spoken word in New York for the past four decades, will shine in a street performance titled “We Are the Dinosaur.” This show delves into the power of sound and the enchantment hidden within the sense of words. Additionally, Holman will collaborate with the collective Industria Indipendente on a project called “Talking Poetry/More Than Heart II,” an investigation into the concept of the vocal body and rhythmic body.

In the “A Look to the Future” segment of Dafoe’s lineup, we have Greek choreographer and director Evangelia Rantou, known for her collaborations with Dimitris Papaioannou, Robert Wilson, Lucinda Childs, Yorgos Lanthimos, among others, as well as her company Garage21. She will unveil the world premiere of Mountains. Additionally, we have multidisciplinary African/Belgian artist Princess Bangura, who will present two solo shows, Oedipus Monologue and Great Apes of the West Coast. Yana Eva Thönnes from Germany, author and director of Call Me Paris, will give its world premiere in Venice. Lastly, Anthony Nikolchev will bring to Venice The (Un)Double, his unique interpretation of Dostoyevsky’s The Double, blending it with texts by Radovan Karadzic and court documents from the Christchurch massacre in 2019.

The festival will end with “an exceptional performance by Daniela Pes, Italy’s unique musician for this year,” as stated by the Biennale.

As a passionate theater enthusiast, I embarked on my artistic journey while still a student in Milwaukee, where I became part of the pioneering experimental theater group, Theatre X, from 1975 to 1977. Later, during my sojourn in Europe in 1976, I had the privilege of working at the revered Mickery Theatre in Amsterdam, which was then regarded as the pulsating epicenter of alternative international theater.

After that, in New York City, he established The Wooster Group alongside director Elizabeth LeCompte and actors Ron Vawter, Kate Valk, Jim Clayburgh, and Peyton Smith. From 1977 to 2003, he was a part of the group, taking part in numerous performances with them.

Back in 2016, I had the privilege of being part of the Biennale Teatro program, specifically in the master class segment. During this time, I conducted a captivating workshop on the art of acting. You might be intrigued to know that this legendary performer, Willem Dafoe, has been honored with four Academy Award nominations.

David Foster Wallace encapsulated his perspective in his Biennale mission statement, stating, ‘Theater is like the body, and the body is like theater.’ As an actor, my intention isn’t to showcase a collection of modern global theater, but rather to explore the fundamental nature of theater and the role of the human body. In this digital age where we increasingly rely on artificial intelligence, I aim to emphasize the aspect of human resilience: the wisdom inherent in the physical self.

Read More

2025-03-27 16:24