Students from the Creative Expression Workshop of Municipal School Complex No. 2 in Bolesławiec work under the supervision of Katarzyna Syguła-Wieczorek, a theatre instructor and teacher at MZS No. 2 in Bolesławiec. The young people prepared the rich performance “He and She, She and He”, based on motifs from Mark Twain’s “Extracts from Adam’s Diary”. The unique performance took place on 12 June in the Forum cinema auditorium.
The school principal, welcoming guests to the performance, spoke about the project’s purpose, in which his students took part.
“The young people prepared this performance for seniors,” said Waldemar Bugaj. “Our students’ performance is intended for people who, in retirement, carefully weed their gardens and relax in senior homes under the care of professionals. I hope that this will enable us to meet with you more often,” the principal added, thanking the students’ supervisor, Katarzyna Syguła-Wieczorek.
President Piotr Roman added that the initiative was interesting and fit into the system of intergenerational relations.
“For years, we have been trying to ensure that all residents feel needed,” the president said. “Today’s performance is another building block in our long-term plans to create an intergenerational communication system based on bonds of respect and friendship,” added Piotr Roman.
Katarzyna Syguła-Wieczorek delivered a very moving speech, speaking about an idea that unites all people.
“Each of us is at a different stage of our life journey; many things distinguish us: gender, age and nationality. But when we meet, it is not differences that matter,” the teacher said. “Contrasts and differences create unity. Just as sound is necessary, silence is necessary too; to experience fullness, we need to experience duality,” the instructor concluded, inviting everyone to watch the performance.
“Extracts from Adam’s Diary” told the story of the first people and is above all a work about love. This short humorous parable contains a profound truth and an equally profound belief in the power of love. The performance was staged as a comedy, using various elements of stage expression: song, movement, dance, text interpretation and cabaret motifs. The stereotypes of women and men, as well as the relationships between them, were treated satirically.
The performance was prepared on an ambitious scale. The young people created the scenery and costumes. They skillfully portrayed the characters they played. The ninety-minute performance was polished. The young actors demonstrated many abilities while creating their work. This form of learning through creativity is valuable.
The middle-school students had to be disciplined, worked in a group, created something valuable together with their friends, discovered their talents and became acquainted with a wonderful literary text. Undoubtedly, they also deepened it with their own reflections on differences, gender, stereotypes and the great strength of the bond between two people in love. They also learned about the power and pitfalls awaiting a husband and wife on their journey through life. They discovered the paradise and hell of a successful relationship.
Great applause is due to all the creators of the performance “She and He, He and She”. The supervisors and originators of such a thoughtful project also deserve praise.
The performance also showed something exceptional and extremely valuable: a teacher’s love for her students.
“My students are finishing middle school this year, and our paths will diverge,” said Katarzyna Syguła-Wieczorek. “This performance is like a mandala, painstakingly arranged from sand and then scattered by the wind. If we ever perform this play again, it will be with a different cast. Thank you for being part of my life,” the teacher said to her students in farewell.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)