DZIADY II

Costumes for the performance, 2026

Costumes for the performance “Dziady II,” based on Adam Mickiewicz’s work, directed and choreographed by Monika Błaszczak, produced at the Polish Dance Theater in Poznań. The creators translated this romantic ritual into the language of contemporary dance, exploring themes of bodily memory, mourning, relationships with ancestors, and the search for community.

The starting point for the costumes I designed were the burial shirts in which the dead were once laid to rest. Their shapes, textures, and discoloration evoke fabric subjected to the effects of time, decay, and moisture. The costumes create contemporary images of spirits and highlight the transformations occurring in the dancers’ movements.

Prior to the premiere on May 20, 2026, an excerpt from the work-in-progress was presented during Trend Station 2 at the Łódź Fabryczna Train Station. The dancers of the Polish Dance Theater performed for the first time in selected costumes from “Dziady II,” creating a performance inspired by a shamanic choir.

Direction and Choreography: Monika Błaszczak
Dramaturgy: Teresa Fazan
Costumes: Tomasz Armada
Costume Designer’s Assistant: Filip Holak
Set Design and Video: Ewelina Węgiel
Music: Julek Ploski
Content Consultant: Łukasz Kozak
Lighting Design: Michał Stenzel
Premiere: June 19, 2026, Polish Dance Theater in Poznań.