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Rastislav Ballek
Profile

Rastislav Ballek studied philosophy and sociology at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava. Later, he graduated in theatre direction and dramaturgy from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. Already the productions, dramatization of Slovak classics, that he directed as a student (Departure From Bratislava, Weirdos) enjoyed great response both in Slovakia and abroad. In 1999–2001, he worked as full-time director at the Slovak National Uprising Theatre in Martin, in 2001–2005 as a director for the Alexander Duchnovič Theatre in Prešov, in 2002–2009 as full-time director for City Theatre Žilina where he was also artistic director between 2003 and 2008. In 2006 Ballek started his fruitful cooperation with the Aréna Theatre in Bratislava, where he created the iconic devised production Tiso (2005) and directed the productions Kukura (2011), Holocaust (2012), and Rosmersholm (2013). For the Opera of the Slovak National Theatre, he directed the world premiere of Martin Burlas’s chamber opera Coma (2007). He has also collaborated with many Slovak and Czech theatres (Slovak Chamber Theatre in Martin, Alexander Duchnovič Theatre in Prešov, Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Rokoko Theatre in Prague, National Theatre in Brno). Rastislav Ballek’s productions and theatre projects regularly participate in domestic and international festivals (Theatre in Pilsen, Sterijino pozorje in Serbia, Nová dráma/New Drama, Divadelná Nitra, Eurokaz Festival in Zagreb, Expo 2000 in Hannover). He is the laureate of several of the prestigious Dosky Awards in different categories.