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| A view from the classroom window in Castle Cesky Krumlov. (Photo courtesy Peter Perina) |
It鈥檚 not just the classes, which are cool and take place in a Bohemian castle. It鈥檚 simply 鈥� everything.
For the past five years, AV俱乐部鈥檚 Department of Theatre has been offering students a chance to study abroad in the Czech Republic by taking (THEA 4735). Students take classes in Castle ?esk媒 Krumlov, UNESCO World Heritage Site about 180 kilometres from Prague.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 Dal鈥檚 best-kept secret,鈥� says Antony Dobrzensky, a fourth-year student in the acting program. 鈥淚f more students knew about it, they鈥檇 be banging down the theatre department鈥檚 door.鈥�
SEE PHOTOS: Living, breathing history
The class is ideally suited to students in the summer before their third or fourth year of study. While offered through the Department of Theatre, the class cross-listed in history class and, for the first time, music. This year, it will be taught by theatre professor Peter Perina, history professor Gregory Hanlon and music professor Adrian Hoffman.
Students are expected to do all the usual things they would for any summer class; they attend lectures, do research and write an exam, but besides all that, they鈥檒l attend a Renaissance fair in costume, take in an international conference on Baroque theatre and spend three days in romantic Prague, sightseeing and going to the opera.
Besides all that, they鈥檒l get a behind-the-scenes look at the castle鈥檚 Baroque theatre courtesy of Prof. Perina, who first worked at the castle as a scenography student in the 1960s. Since that time, he鈥檚 maintained a strong connection with ?esk媒 Krumlov as the Chair of the聽 and as a board member of , an association of historic theatres in Europe.
鈥淭his is an unusual opportunity for students, to learn about this history while being totally immersed in it,鈥� says Prof. Perina, who has worked at AV俱乐部 since 1972.
The castle鈥檚 theatre鈥斺�渁 gem in the crown of theatre heritage on our planet,鈥� says Prof. Perina鈥� is one of only two court theatres that still survive in Europe from the Baroque era. The theatre has been preserved, complete with its original stage machinery, scenery, props and costumes.
鈥淭he whole place is like Disneyland鈥擝aroque Disney,鈥� says Mr. Dobrzensky with a laugh. 鈥淎nd Peter has the keys to every door in the magical kingdom. He takes you to see everything.鈥�
On one occasion, relates Mr. Dobrzensky, Prof. Perina brought the students to a secret garden high atop the castle to watch the fireworks capping off the Five Petal Rose Celebrations, the renaissance festival that involves the entire town of 600 residents. 鈥淚t was the most amazing view. We felt like feudal lords looking down from our castle,鈥� he laughs.
The class is being held in the month of June, with travel at the end of May. Based on the value of the Euro, the class is expected to cost about $4,000, including tuition, air fare, accomodations and entry fees.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so interesting to experience history when it鈥檚 all around you, 鈥� says Lara Mattison, a student of scenography. While she recommends the class, she also cautions students to 鈥渆xpect that things can change.鈥�
'Unhappy day'
Befitting a castle of its age鈥攖he original structure was founded by the Lords of Krumlov some time before 1250鈥� the halls, courtyards and cellars ?esk媒 Krumlov abound with stories of ghosts. The castle theatre is no exception; it鈥檚 haunted by Evelyna, 鈥渁 beautiful virgin鈥� of a long-ago visiting group of players. 鈥淪he fell in love with a leading man called David, but unfortunately the love was unrequited,鈥� according to The Tales and Legends of ?esk媒 Krumlov Castle. 鈥淒uring the last act of the play, poor Evelyna stabbed herself in the chest and died on the stage. It was impossible to wash the blood off the boards, and for a long time the stain was a reminder of the unhappy day.鈥� |
