I am “Disabled through Loving Art”

The fantastic production team of the BARKA Theatre: director Ing. Zdeňka Vlachovská and technician Josef Fiala.

The BARKA Theatre provides a space for cultural events of integrated, minority, amateur and student theatre groups and troupes. Above all, it is a place where artists can meet and realise their potential regardless of whether they are physically or mentally impaired or not. On stage, it does not make any difference who has a disability and who does not; what matters is how passionate they are about art. Alongside preparing the cultural programme in the theatre, the production team of the BARKA Theatre takes part in organising other events of the Liga vozíčkářů, a non-profit organisation operating the theatre.

At the beginning of September, an annual event called “Vinohradské vozíkohraní” was held in the premises of the Liga vozíčkářů. The team prepared refreshments, a books and clothes jumble sale and a varied cultural programme for visitors. At this event, I worked as a stage manager and my task was to ensure the smooth running of the programme on stage, i.e. various interviews and dance as well as music performances. This role included communication with the performers and the sound engineer before and during the event. A week later, as a part of the celebrations of the city district Královo Pole an open day in the BARKA Theatre took place and one of my tasks was to give guided tours of the theatre. I also helped with organising an evening concert juxtaposing music with Argentine tango.

With Laďka Blažková, the amazing presenter of the Vinohradské vozíkohraní.

Apart from these two events, I gained an invaluable insight into the general running of the theatre. I got to meet many interesting theatre groups which rehearse in the theatre on a regular basis whilst I was helping to organise the FEST IN, an annual festival of integrated art production. I also got acquainted with the staff of the Liga vozíčkářů and their roles. I realised how the help of these people is indispensable to their disabled clients and I truly admire their hard work.

Discovering the secrets of the wardrobe department with Pepino.

This three-week internship was an amazing experience, but most importantly it confirmed what I would like to do in the future: music management and production. I have found out that I immensely enjoy communicating with people, working in a team and organising events featuring music. During these three weeks I met many inspiring people who enriched me in many ways. I would like to give special to the director of the BARKA Theatre, Ing. Zdeňka Vlachovská, who gave me this fantastic opportunity to work in the theatre and enabled me to become part of it.