As part of the first edition of the project, we hosted two talented residents - Ewelina Cieśla and Katarzyna Niżnik. For three intensive months they participated in the daily life of the Theater: they took part in lessons, workshops, rehearsals and performances.

Both dancers were involved in the creative process of the Polish Dance Theater's latest premiere - the performance "Monolith," choreographed by esteemed German artist Rainer Behr. Ewelina Cieśla served as the choreographer's assistant, while Katarzyna Niżnik joined the premiere cast.

The highlight of the residency was the creation and performance of her own work, the performance "Stories," which premiered at the international Malta Festival 2025 in the Large Studio of the Polish Dance Theater. "Stories" is a journey balancing on the border between reality and abstraction - an immersive tale of intertwining worlds: inner and outer, imagined and real. After two sold-out shows, audiences left the theater moved, fascinated and full of reflection.

The culmination of the residency is two contracts - Katarzyna Niżnik has joined the artistic team of the Polish Dance Theater as of August 1, and Ewelina Cieśla will join us as of October 1.

The residency is co-organized by the National Institute of Music and Dance as part of the "Dancer-in-Residence" Program, co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
National Institute of Music and Dance

More about the performance "Stories"

photograph by Andrzej Grabowski