Warsaw Drama Company

02/02/2026

Once upon a time, during a winter in Warsaw…
we started a new chapter of the International Polish Theatre project.

—
status: in_progress
location: Warsaw_Drama_Company_Lab
season: Winter_2026
—

Arkadiusz Zietek
Alisa Vapniarskaya
Azim Azad
Ji Yoon
Ilya Baranouski
Luís Lobão

Video production: Photovop

17/12/2025

As part of the International Polish Theatre project, we aim not only to present Polish literary classics to international audiences in English, but also to provide historical and cultural context about the authors we research and stage.

Adam Mickiewicz (1798–1855) was a central figure of Polish Romanticism, writing at a time when Poland no longer existed as an independent state.

Dziady is a cycle of poetic dramas based on an ancient Slavic ritual, with Part II focusing on the ceremony itself as a dramatic structure.

This post accompanies our research for the English-language staging of Dziady, Part II.

Visual identity and text: Luís Lobão

14/12/2025

Bloopers #1

Video production by Photovop

Alisa Vapniarskaya
Azim Azad
Ji Yoon
Ilya Baranouski
Luís Lobão

13/12/2025

12/12/2025

Like ghosts, we continue to wander — through our photos, through the dim memories of that night, and through the echo of a performance that opened the first chapter of our International Polish Theatre project.
It was also the first time we appeared as a collective of actors, bound together in a space where shadow, desire, and language met in ways we could only sense, never fully grasp.

In a limbo: developing new work (news coming next year), while still reliving the strange, luminous charm of presenting Dziady, Part II in English as a staged reading.

Directed by: Arkadiusz Ziętek • Arkadiusz Zietek

Cast:
Arkadiusz Ziętek • Silent Ghost
Alisa Vapniarskaya • Maiden / Owl / Chorus
Azim Azad • Guślarz / Chorus
Ilya Baranouski • Raven 1 / Raven 2 / Chorus
Ji Yoon Kang • Guślarz / Little Angels / Chorus
Luís Lobão • Evil Landlord / Old Man / Chorus

A final word of gratitude to everyone who collaborated on this initiative, especially Karina Sport and , whose contribution proved essential.

Place: Karina Sport

Photographer:
Photo no. 10: Santiago Arca
Retouch: Photovop
Original music before the performance: Alisa Vapniarskaya

10/12/2025

What if Adam Mickiewicz’s Dziady, Part II were staged in English within a setting where shadow meets desire and lust?

This contemporary ceremony took place on the last night of November, in an exceptional and intimate Warsaw venue.

International Polish Theatre is our project dedicated to presenting Polish literary classics to international audiences, in English.

As neon light cut through the darkness, we presented a staged reading, work-in-progress version, with the incredible support of our cherished audience.

Thank you to everyone who came and explored Polish culture with us through Dziady.

Directed by: Arkadiusz Ziętek • Arkadiusz Zietek

Cast:
Arkadiusz Ziętek • Silent Ghost
Alisa Vapniarskaya • Maiden / Owl / Chorus
Azim Azad • Guślarz / Chorus
Ilya Baranouski • Raven 1 / Raven 2 / Chorus
Ji Yoon Kang • Guślarz / Little Angels / Chorus
Luís Lobão • Evil Landlord / Old Man / Chorus

A final word of gratitude to everyone who collaborated on this initiative, especially Karina Sport and , whose contribution proved essential.

Place: Karina Sport
Photographer:
Retouch: Photovop
Original music before the performance: Alisa Vapniarskaya

04/12/2025

Warsaw Drama Company is an actors’ collective created in 2025 with the aim of bringing theatre in English to international audiences in Poland.

Our work focuses on original theatre productions and on the International Polish Theatre — a project dedicated to researching and sharing Polish classical and contemporary literature on stage.

We are currently in rehearsals for Dziady II, by Adam Mickiewicz, which will mark our first significant step as a collective.
At the same time, our first original piece is already being written.

Thank you for following our work. Your feedback helps us grow and expand our horizons.

We dive into theatre, we learn from it, and we bring it to the stage to share our passion with you.

Visual identity: Luís Lobão
Code: Ilya Baranouski

Alisa Vapniarskaya
Azim Azad
Ji Yoon
Ilya Baranouski
Luís Lobão

01/12/2025

170 years after his passing, we celebrate the work of Adam Mickiewicz.

Dziady II — an endless ritual, carried through the years, performed in an English staged reading (work-in-progress version).

Song: cover of the song Baranek by Jacek Kaczmarski
Music: Stanisław Staszewski
Text: Stanisław Staszewski inspired by Dziady

Alisa Vapniarskaya
Ilya Baranouski

01/12/2025

We proudly present a stage reading performance of Adam Mickiewicz’s legendary work Dziady - A preview of what’s coming in next year’s full performance bringing Polish literature to the stage in a fresh and powerful way.

Direction: Arkadiusz Ziętek • Arkadiusz Zietek

Cast: Alisa Vapniarskaya, Azim Azad, Ji Yoon, Ilya Baranouski, Luís Lobão

Video production by Photovop

01/12/2025

Introducing the International Polish Theatre, one of our key cultural initiatives.

As one of the Warsaw Drama Company's main projects, it aims to bring both classic and contemporary Polish literature to international audiences — performed in English while keeping the original essence of the stories.

As we move into an intensive period of rehearsals, we are also beginning a broader exploration of Polish culture.

This journey will enrich our collective understanding, deepen our artistic practice, and inspire how we will present these pieces.

Thank you for being here and supporting our work.

Alisa Vapniarskaya
Azim Azad
Ji Yoon
Ilya Baranouski
Luís Lobão