Willem Dafoe Launches Artistic Vision for Venice Biennale Theater Program
Willem Dafoe has taken a significant step in his career by announcing the inaugural lineup for his newly assumed role as the artistic director of the theater department at La Biennale di Venezia, widely recognized for overseeing the Venice Film Festival. This season promises to include a reimagining of the classic tale, Pinocchio, along with an innovative “performance experiment”featuring Dafoe himself.
Having signed a two-year contract last summer, which spans until 2026, Dafoe shared his performance lineup during a presentation on Thursday. A centerpiece of the season will be Davide Iodice’s reinterpretation of Pinocchio — What Is a Person?, which aligns perfectly with Dafoe’s commitment to focusing his theater program on his personal journey and “a sort of exploration of the essence of the body.”
The 53rd International Theater Festival
The 53rd International Theater Festival in Venice is scheduled to unfold between May 31 and June 15. During this reveal, Dafoe expressed his desire to showcase pieces that embody the most compelling elements of theater: “the body, poetry, and ritual.” He emphasized the significance of collaborating with respected figures from the theatrical world, such as Thomas Ostermeier, Milo Rau, and Bob Holman, as well as honoring artists like Davide Iodice, whose Pinocchio performance captivated him from start to finish.
In a tribute to the late theater visionary Richard Foreman, Dafoe will engage in a “performance experiment”alongside Italian actress Simonetta Solder. Foreman, who passed away earlier this year, was celebrated for his pioneering contributions to America’s avant-garde scene. This collaborative project is intriguingly titled No title in the Biennale program.
Highlights from the Lineup
Within the “Today’s Maestros” section of this year’s festival, noteworthy presentations include:
- Romeo Castellucci: A world premiere of his site-specific work I mangiatori di patate on the island of Lazzaretto Vecchio.
- Thomas Ostermeier: The Italian premiere of Changes by Maja Zade.
- Milo Rau: New performance, Die Seherin, featuring acclaimed actress Ursina Lardi, who will receive a Silver Lion during the festival.
It was noted that Iodice’s interpretation of Pinocchio uniquely features diverse young performers with various developmental conditions like Down syndrome and autism, contributing to the narrative’s rich tapestry by presenting multiple interpretations of Pinocchio, each uniquely valuable.
Furthermore, Holman will lead a street performance titled We Are the Dinosaur, focusing on sound’s transformative power within language. He will also present Talking Poetry/More Than Heart II, a project that delves into both vocal and rhythmic aspects of performance, developed in partnership with the collective Industria Indipendente.
Innovative Works Ahead
Dafoe’s “A Look to the Future” segment will showcase a variety of intriguing performances:
- Evangelia Rantou: World premiere of Mountains, a collaboration with notable figures in film and theater, including Dimitris Papaioannou and Yorgos Lanthimos.
- Princess Bangura: Two solo performances—Oedipus Monologue and Great Apes of the West Coast.
- Yana Eva Thönnes: The debut of Call Me Paris.
- Anthony Nikolchev: A unique adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s The Double, interweaving modern texts and reflections on historical events.
The festival will culminate with a special performance from Daniela Pes, marking the only Italian concert of the year, showcasing her remarkable talents as a musician, singer-songwriter, and composer.
Dafoe’s Theatrical Journey
Willem Dafoe’s artistic roots trace back to Milwaukee, where he joined Theatre X at just 19 years old—an early proponent of experimental theater in the U.S. After moving to Europe in 1976, he became involved with Amsterdam’s Mickery Theatre, a significant hub for alternative performance arts. His New York journey included co-founding The Wooster Group, where he contributed to numerous productions from 1977 until 2003.
In 2016, Dafoe participated in the Biennale Teatro program, imparting his expertise in acting through workshops. Over his illustrious career, he has garnered four Academy Award nominations, underscoring his impact within the cinematic and theatrical fields.
Summarizing his theatrical philosophy, Dafoe remarked, “Theater is body – Body is theater.” He further articulated his vision: “My intention is not to present a retrospective of contemporary world theater but instead to probe the essence of theater and the physical presence it embodies. As we increasingly depend on artificial intelligence, I aim to highlight the significance of human resilience: the intelligence of the body.”