WARREN ROSENZWEIG, Playwright, director, and producer of nonprofit theater, is Artistic Director of the Jewish Theater of Austria, which he
founded in 1999. Based in Vienna and Graz, the Jewish Theater of Austria produces new works and contemporary drama and presents the work of
artists from around the world on themes of Jewish identity. Long-term projects also include the International Jewish Theater Ensemble - a
developing group of young actors - and the plan to reestablish a physical home for international Jewish theater in Vienna. Rosenzweig is
the former Producing Artistic Director of New Yorks four-time OBIE Award-winning BACA Downtown Theater for new plays, performance art,
experimental theater, and dance performance. email: office@jta.at
The Jewish Theater of Austria has been working for the past few years to
restore a cultural heritage site of enormous significance for Austria
and for the world.
The former Jewish Theater in the Nestroyhof was a center of
international culture and creativity until its seizure by the Nazis in
1938. Unlike most Jewish cultural heritage sites in Vienna, which were
destroyed (mainly after 1945), the Nestroyhof survived by a series of
lucky accidents. When the auditorium was converted into a supermarket in
the early 60s, an internal shell of fake walls with a low drop ceiling
was constructed that effectively preserved the balconies, glass roof,
and sumptuous architectural detail, while hiding the structure from view
for decades. Even the thousands who shopped there year after year were
unaware that they were pushing their carts down the aisles of the great
old Jewish theater! The supermarket is now finally gone and in its place
stands a singular opportunity.
Our aim is to reestablish this extraordinary site as an international,
intercultural center for performing arts on themes relevant to Jewish
experience, identity, and values. To accomplish this, we have again
applied for government assistance, although the Department of Culture
already denied the proposal in 2002 with the explanation that the city
"has no money".
Many prominent Austrians have endorsed the initiative with strong
letters of support, including Thomas Klestil (President of the Federal
Republic of Austria), Ariel Muzicant (President of the Jewish Community
of Austria), Georg Springer (Director of the Holding of Federal
Theaters), Paul Chaim Eisenberg (Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of
Austria), Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (Archbishop of Vienna), and others.
International endorsement is also needed. If you believe that the
reopening of the Jewish Theater in the Nestroyhof is not only an
exciting possibility, but is vital to the health and future of the
Austrian community and of Europe, and is long overdue, I urge you to
write a message, of any length, and to send it to us as soon as
possible. You may post your message directly on our website at
http://www.jta.at/billboard/
or send it to us by fax or email to:
fax: +43 (1) 319 08 17
email: office@jta.at
Thank you for your important assistance.
Sincerely,
Warren Rosenzweig
Artistic Director
Jewish Theater of Austria
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