One of the main objectives of the Piatra Neamț Theatre Festival is the promotion and professional training of young people performing in various fields, through the creation of a platform for debate and critical thinking. Thus, for this 34th edition, we have invited three young contemporary writers (and journalists) to moderate the discussions with the public after the productions. Starting from the collaboration that the Theatre of Youth has begun with these three writers in other projects at the intersection between the literary and the performative fields (TT Poetry&Debate, the Critical Spectator Workshop, etc.) we would like this instrument of moderation of the relation between the artistic act and the public to include the perspective of some young artists who are in resonance both with the artistic direction of the Festival and with the subjects and themes proposed in the guest productions (founded on contemporary dramaturgy).

The discussions with the audience will take place after each performance, in the space of the event, and will last maximum 30 minutes.

Olivia Călin is a student in the Faculty of European Studies of Babeș-Bolyai University. During her high-school years she was a volunteer at the Theatre of Youth, and was invited to write in the programme brochures of various productions, following her argumented feedback in post-performance discussions with the audience. She has been a participant in the ‘Critical Spectator’ workshop and president of the Young Adult Jury at the Piatra Neamț Theatre Festival. She has published theatre reviews and essays in Dissolved Magazine, Copilot, and Liternet, and poetry in O mie de Semne, Euphorion, Literomania, Kametsa, Noche Laberinto, and Axis Libri.

Daria Ancuța is a third-year student of Theatrology and Theatrical Journalism at the I.L. Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film. Already in her high-school years she was roaming the country from one theatre festival to another. She believes that, more than anything, theatre should mean dialogue. She writes plays (including Un fluture răstoarnă o piesă de domino.exe [A butterfly overturns a domino.exe], which won the New Drama 2021 competition organized by the Excelsior Theatre, Bucharest) and writes for performing arts magazines such as Scena.ro and Teatrul Azi.

Mihai Ivașcu (born 1997, Bucharest) is a poet and communication specialist. A graduate in Advertising with a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies (Centre of Exellence in Image Studies, Bucharest), he worked from his high-school years as assistant editor-in-chief of an art magazine, and as a student he reported for Radio România Cultural. He made his debut as a poet in 2019 (with pe cer jetoane [in the sky, tokens], CDPL), and has taken part in various cultural projects and literary residencies. A cultural freelancer, he is working on a new volume of poems and several plays.