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The Trencin foundation administer the finance of Dr. Klaun Fund for all the Slovak Republic
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 MEET OUR DR. KLAUNS |
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Nela Dušová |
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 | | puppeteer, theatre Divadlo Neline
She has graduated the DAMU in Prague, the department of puppet show theatre. She became a member of the State Puppet Show Theatre in Bratislava after finishing school. She creates her own theatre shows for children since 1980. Nela works with the “House of Children Bibiána” where she prepared a cycle of plays for mentally disturbed and deaf children. |
Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
Because I think that working for children is the best investment.
What are your impressions of the performances and what about the reactions of children and staff?
I always feel very splendid thanks to the children because they show their feelings are very spontaneous and their reactions are very friendly. I feel a strong respect and responsibility towards the children.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
Yes, there is. It is no infrequence that healthy children are more unconcerned and replete owing to this century. In comparison, the handicapped children are more opened and sincere and they always make me feel a part of their beautiful world. But the children in the hospitals are more closed and scared because they aren’t in their family environment. And this is also a part of my job, to open their soles and make their fear go away.
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Igor Strinka |
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 | | the clown, Dunajka Theatre
He was born on the 27th May, 1963 and right from the beginning he was predestined to be laughed at. Since 1990 Igor has been a professional clown “wanderer”. He wanders the most in Bratislava and its surroundings. Often he needs to be comforted like a small child, therefore he cheers up other children with understanding. He does not know a lot, but he tries, and that is encouraging and maybe amusing as well. |
Why did you become Dr. Klaun?
We are all handicapped. Otherwise the world would look different. Actually, if we were not handicapped it would certainly looked different. Probably some people out there think that they are not, but there are many of us and we can help each other. I have a limetree in my backyard and it has such a personality that gives me strength every time I grab my bag with clown's costume, say good-bye and leave for performance. And I meet other personalities there. They often cannot move – similarly to that limetree. Sometimes I do not understand them well, likewise I do not understand the tree either. But it is the personality that attracts me!
What are your feelings when you perform, and what are the children and staff’s reactions?
Every time I have butterflies in my stomach. I always say to myself: “you have done it many times, some of it you know by heart, and you will even play the ukulele”. But I still do not trust myself enough, so I could do everything by myself. Even the audience likes it more when they can be part of it and change the world to a fairytale for a second. We change it for ourselves, anyway. Those reasonably responsible people sometimes think that we are a little bit “cuckoo” but those foolish games remind us of something that we hardly remember today and what gives the rational things more heartful meaning.
Is there a difference between the performance for children and children in hospitals or other institutions?
Literally I shake before each performance. Similarly to the fact that we do not know what the tomorrow brings for us, I also do not know how it will end. You know it is a habit but these shows in different places and with an audience with a different perception actually break that habit and make out of us more sensitive clowns. So in this way I thank to those shows for my emotional growth.
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Miro Kasprzyk |
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 | | mime-artist
Miro Kasprzyk has been doing pantomime since 1982, professionally since 1994. Besides Slovak Republic he often works abroad too e. g.: in Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico… He cooperates in art exhibition openings, multimedial projects, TV programmes. He played in the film called “Sokoliar Tomáš”, “šmankote babičko čaruj” and in fairy tale serials for children “Osmijanko”. Miro Kasprzyk owns a private studio |
of pantomime and he founded the festival PAN Liptovský Mikuláš which is specialized in movement and pantomime.
Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
Dr. Clown heals through laughter. It can (for a short time at least) treat suffering darlings who feel pushed aside because of serious mental disease. And maybe these moments with a smile will start the right healing process. The decision that it is worth staying in this funny world will help. Why is the laughter therapy received so rarely? I have no answer to this question.
How do you feel during your performance and what are the reactions of children and the personnel?
It is an incredibly positive feeling from my side and children`s one too. Reactions of children are adequate to the disease, but I`m not able to describe their eyes. The personnel is my ally because we know what laughter means to children. The personnel often enjoy my appearance with children. And the children appreciate it with trust during the process of treatment.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
The difference is large and basically none at the same time. The large one because of gratitude and laughter which can treat. And there is no difference because our common laughter cannot be bought. (Unfortunately this is the standpoint of our society.)
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Vlado Kulíšek |
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 | | mime-artist, Theatre Fortissimo
born on 17 May 1960, a freelance mime artist since 1991. He gives performances mostly in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but audiences in a lot of European countries know him as well. He devotes himself to a number of humanitarian projects and he is an administrator of a foundation which deals with hearing-impaired children. |
Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
I find it meaningful. Everybody tries to help ill and disabled people as much as he/she can. Medical doctors treat patients, educators take care of children, the well-off can help financially. Our aim is to make the suffering children forget about their illness completely for at least an hour. We try to bring smile to their faces and this way we may help their sorrowing soul.
What are your impressions of the performances and what about the reactions of children and staff?
I always get a great feeling after the performance is over. When at the beginning you see those children´s faces full of mistrust, pain and sometimes even fear and then at the end all those shining eyes – it is such a strong feeling that money cannot buy.
And the staff reactions are different, the same way as we – adults – act differently. In some place you can see how all works well, the staff is positive and this is reflected in the children. In another place, unfortunately, the situation may appear just opposite.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
I don´t think there is a significant one. Obviously illness affects everybody and especially children. But our aim is actually to make the children forget about their illness, about their disability. And I feel we are able to manage.
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Adrián Ohrádka |
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clown Adyno
born in 1974, husband, father, scriptwriter, actor, comedian, presenter, clown, make-up man, stagehand, cheerleader, mime artist, humorist, founder and team manager of Srandovná Bánovská Zostava /SBZ = Funny Formation from Bánov/
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Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
Because it is a wonderful project and I enjoy entertaining others.
What are your impressions of the performances and what about the reactions of children and staff?
My impression of the performances is often really strong. If I was to put it more precisely, one bulletin wouldn‘t do. Here is an example:
Imagine you are facing a 12-year-old boy in a wheelchair who does not move part of his body at all and perceives only about 60 per cent of his surroundings. You, as a clown, are trying to catch his attention. After some minutes you notice that the boy has not only reacted at you, but he has even smiled. When you have finished, the medical doctor in charge tells you:“It is fantastic. The boy hasn‘t reacted like this for a very long time. And what is more, he has shown signs of joy and smile.“ This reaction has definitely persuaded me about the sense and significance of such projects. I keep this feeling on my mind all the time.
Another example:
A hospital performance being watched by a 4-year-old Mirko sitting on the knees of his nurse. During the performance they disappear for a while, but they come back quickly. I thought the boy was supposed to take some medication, but the nurse explained the reason after the show: „Mirko was enjoying himself so much and he didn‘t want to miss any second of the performance, so he kept putting back going to the toilet as long as possible , until suddenly it was „too late“.
In my opinion for a clown this can be considered a much higher reward than any applause. To „switch over“ the psyche of the young patients stricken by their health problem for a long time and attract them for at least a short moment is our best part.
All the staff people in hospitals and homes – where I have had a chance to give performances – have been kind, warm-hearted, ready to help and cooperate. After the show we ususlly speak about the children, discuss their reactions during the show. Doctors find this project very positive and appreciate this kind of performance.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
I would say there is not a big difference there. Perhaps in one special case when performing for mentally disabled children. Then I have to consider their lower level of perception, thus the performance develops at its own pace in accordance with their actual reactions. Nevertheless, each performance has got its own specific atmosphere.
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Juraj Perec |
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 | | Melies - magician – manipulator
Juraj Perec is one of the best Slovak magicians who regularly takes part in the international festivals. He is famous for his hand manipulations, general magic art and illusion. Juraj Perec is a holder of the title Master of Slovak Republic and he has received a number of prizes in Slovakia or at festivals of magic art abroad. |
Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
I like charity projects and associations which try to improve the quality of life and mutual communication of disabled children and they want to make their life in medical establishments or sanatoria more pleasant. I belong to positively thinking people and try to see the life from the sunny side. And I would like to deliver a part of this view to the people who need it. I do it during my “funny” programme when I can bring smiles on children`s faces. Just magics and magic art are able to show them the world of phantasy, imaginative power and mystery where they forget that they are disabled.
How do you feel during your performance and what are the reactions of children and the personnel?
During my performance when I see children`s enthusiastic faces, their joy and interest I feel really satisfied. After the programme I can see their joy and gratitude and I feel that it has sense. The attendants and personnel of hospitals or another institutions welcome this kind of entertainment and appearances performed by artists. They find it like something that can make suffering children feel happier and more satisfied.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
I don`t feel a big difference. All of the children show their emotions, but children in institutional care enjoy my performance more intensively. I communicate with them during the programme, I try to get their attention and I usually adapt myself to their reactions. Mainly when I play for mentally handicapped children. I think that their straight contact and applause make them more confident and can wake their sensation of pride up.
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Tomáš Plaszky |
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 | | clown Tino, magician and principal of the theatre Divadlo v kufri (Theatre in a suitcase)
Tomáš Plaszky has been doing marionette theatre since 1974. In 1987 he founded the first private marionette theatre called DIVADLO V KUFRI (the Theatre in a Suitcase). He wanders to his spectators across the whole Slovak Republic and abroad too. This man represents the Slovak marionette art not only in neighbouring countries but even in Italy, Tunis, |
Denmark, France, Mexico, Germany and Sweden. He cooperates with different TV companies to prepare serials and fairy tales for children.
Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
I have professionally been dealing with marionette theatre for 31 years and during this time I have played a lot of programmes in children homes, sanatoria and hospitals. Being not in the role of Dr. Klaun at that time yet, spiritually I felt like one as I was playing for ill and also healthy children and if there was any sad face among them, it became cheerful soon. Once I met a puppeteer from Switzerland who owned her own sanatorium, where she treated ill children with the help of a marionette and psychiatrists. I have to confess that I envied her because I wanted to treat ill children too. As I cannot afford to open my own sanatorium, I have taken up the challenge offered by Dr. Klaun Fund and have become one of them.
How do you feel during your performance and what are the reactions of children and the personnel?
My feeling is extraordinary, very good and interesting, because of playing in untypical non theatrical places and for a little bit different young audiences. There always appear completely new situations. I have to adapt to them and improvise so even the programme which I have played for 600 times may become completely new. It`s simply an unforgettable experience. I like it when the staff people react spontaneously too and when the difference between them and the children disappears for a few minutes.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
There is one and at the same time there is no difference at all. It`s a very slight difference. Sometimes in the movement or in later children`s reactions. But the final effect is always the same as the one with healthy children. Spontaneous reactions, laughter and applause are the best reward for artists. I have even found out that there is no difference between Slovak, Danish of French spectators. Of course there is some language barrier at the beginning and I can`t improvise like I do in the Slovak language, but after a short while the barrier disappears. In 1997 – 1998 I played in Denmark in a diagnostic asylum in one village called Ølsted. I played for mentally and physically disabled children. And in 2002 I was in a French city of Argentan where I played in a home for seniors. Both – the children and the old people could understand me. The language barrier disappeared and they reacted exactly in the same way as my spectators in my home country do.
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Renáta Repková |
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 | | actress and principal of Teatro Pimprlo
She graduated at the marionette department of DAMU in Prague, gave guest performances in Teatro Tatro and became a member of the performing staff of the Marionette Theatre in Žilina. After five seasons she started her own little theatre called Teatro Pimprlo. Here she has been working since 1998 as a director, dramatic adviser, scriptwriter and sometimes even a text writer and music composer. |
Why have you taken up the role of Dr. Klaun?
To be honest, what addressed me first of all was the idea of performing in places not very attractive, for somebody totally unknown and mainly for spectators who are deeply sincere, sensitive and emphatic. Before I started working with Dr. Klaun Fund I had played for mentally and physically disabled children. But it happened only by coincidence. And it was just then when I realized that these - let us call them - „little angels“ could see a performance not very often but their impression could stay with them for a very long time.
What are your impressions of the performances and what about the reactions of children and staff?
I´ve been doing theatre for some years now, professionally for nearly 15 years. However, it is not important if you do something professionally or not. What really matters is that your work brings you joy, motivation and gives sense to your life. Visiting our „little angels“ in places where I get such an enthusiastic welcome full of impatience makes me sure that it is not only right to come, it can also enrich my life and charge me with new energy. It is true that you feel exhausted after each performance. The reason may simply be the fact that you have just recharged yourself with an incredible amount of new energy.
Do you feel any difference when you play for healthy children and when you play for handicapped ones?
My answer is very simple: no, there isn´t. Each performance is different, unique, and if the audience is receptive enough, they can play the same game with you, no matter if it is a theatre performance or a fairy-tale. Then it is completely irrelevant where the children come from. For me the most important is to feel the atmosphere and enter it.
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| | The next visit of Dr. Klaun is: |
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04.05.2010 Social Care House Žilina
04.05.2010 Social Care House Kysucké Nové Mesto
06.05.2010 Social Care House SYMBIA Zvolen
10.05.2010 Social Care House HABINY Nová Baňa
21.05.2010 Social Care House DEMY Trenčín
21.05.2010 Special Elementary Boarding School Trenčín
22.05.2010 Social Care House Adamovské Kochanovce
27.05.2010 Special Elementary Boarding School for deaf and hearing impaired children Prešov
28.05.2010 Special Elementary Boarding School Prešov
28.05.2010 Social Care House Prešov
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| | Thank you: |
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