Teatr 21 is a theatre company primarily composed of individuals with Down syndrome and Autism. Throughout its fifteen-year history, the ensemble has showcased theatrical productions in various Polish theatres and institutions, encompassing performances at national festivals. Moreover, the group has extended its reach to international platforms, participating in festivals hosted in Helsinki, Prague, Berlin, and Freiburg. In addition to their acting pursuits, Teatr 21 is actively engaged in theatre pedagogy, education, publishing, organizing conferences, lectures, and participation in international networks.
Moreover, Teatr 21 is working towards establishing the Centre for Integrative Art, Warsaw’s inaugural socio-cultural institution solely dedicated to the artistic expression of people with disabilities. This centre’s primary objective will be to integrate disabled individuals into art, culture, and science. Beyond inclusion, the centre will also serve as a permanent venue for the company, which until now lacked a dedicated space.
Teatr 21 was established in 2005 as a theatre school by Justyna Sobczyk. She completed her theatre pedagogy studies in Berlin and interned at the RambaZamba Theatre in the same city. The inaugural participants comprised individuals with cognitive disabilities, and the emphasis lay in cultivating a theatrical lexicon and attaining innovative artistic excellence, diverging from therapeutic methodologies. Over time, a fundamental ensemble of actors took shape, and the moniker “Teatr 21” draws connections to trisomy 21, an alternate designation for Down syndrome.
The ensemble progressed from practicing within a fitness gym to a dedicated theatre venue. This shift paved the way for collaborations with costume designers, authors, and composers, facilitating the creation of further theatrical productions. In 2011, Teatr 21 ventured into children’s theatre with a play based on the renowned German children’s novel Das kleine Ich-bin-Ich (1972) (“The Little I-am-I”) by Mira Lobe. The genesis of this play stemmed from the observation of preconceived ideas held by adult audiences, frequently shaped by a normative outlook that connected disabilities with shortcomings or inadequacies. In response, the ensemble acknowledged the imperative to alter the perception of disabilities from an early stage, aiming to challenge these entrenched viewpoints.
Following this, Teatr 21 engaged in endeavours focused on Jewish holidays and subsequently created a theatre series spanning four episodes. The ensemble’s composition broadened to encompass supplementary artists, including playwrights, set designers, actors, marketing experts, choreographers, and performers.
The Centre for Integrative Art was founded in collaboration with Teatr 21 and the Biennale Warsaw. The initiative constitutes an integrative, cross-institutional, and global undertaking with the purpose of advancing social integration within the realms of art, culture, and science. During its inaugural season, the centre delved into social mechanisms linked to disabilities, representations in art, medicine, and science, as well as exclusionary mechanisms and political tactics employed in the management of individuals with disabilities. The program encompassed discussions on disability studies, workshops catering to individuals with and without disabilities, and the publication of “Disability and Society.”
In June 2019, Teatr 21 received funding for the “Crossing the Line” project, a collaborative effort involving theatres from the European Union. This marked a significant milestone for the group. Between 2019-20, Teatr 21 collaborated with the Zachęta - National Gallery of Art to display their stage arrangements and props as part of Robert Rumas’ exhibition titled “Change of Setting - Polish Theatre and Social Setting of the 20th and 21st Century,” which explored visuality and visibility themes.
During its second season, the centre concentrated on matters of perception, particularly centred around the actions and aesthetics of visual observation. This season also delved into cultural taboos associated with how disabilities are perceived within the cultural context. This approach engaged observers in reflection and action. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Teatr 21 produced two online shows, Survival Strategies and Exit.
