Young actors in Mangalia

The famous Young Actors Gala has been taking place in Costinesti for years and was considered one of the trampolines available to young graduates from theatre academies. Three years ago it changed its title to "Hop" and tried to attract all young actors into the competition.

Misfortunately, this is not quite what happened. Participants are less and less every year and this year "Hop" had to relocate to Mangalia, due to what Cornel Todea, the director of the festival calls "high treason on behalf of the former Tourism for Youth Bureau."

In Mangalia, organisers found some support and understanding from the officials. The most interesting aspect of this competition could be the fact that winners are given the opportunity to attend the World Fair in Hanover instead of receiving prizes.

Following the selection that took place in July, eight actors were chosen to compete today, tomorrow and the day after in the "Individual recital" section: Elena Ivanusca Corb (graduated in 1999 from the Theatre Faculty in Cluj-Napoca), Antonela Cornici (graduated in 1997 from the "George Enescu" Art University in Iasi), Sorin Oros (graduated in 1997 from the Theatre Faculty in Cluj-Napoca), Gabriel Rauta (graduated in 2000 from the Hyperion University in Bucharest), Anamaria Marinca (graduated in 2000 from the "George Enescu" Art University in Iasi), Daniela Moldovan (graduated in 1997 from the Hyperion University in Bucharest), Marius Silviu Chivu (graduated in 2000 from the Theatre and Film Art University in Bucharest) and Claudiu Pintican (graduated in 1996 from the Theatre Art Academy in TOrgu Mures).

For the other section of the contest reserved to the short plays (maximum 45 minutes and no more than 10 characters), two shows will be presented. Lorena Ciubotariu and Gabriel Pintilei, both graduates in 2000 from the "George Enescu" Art University in Iasi will perform in "Cajahcocekesaria."

The second show in the contest will be "Creatie," proposed by Cristina Mnatacanian, Zina Fedorov and Monica Gheorghe (graduates from the UATC Bucharest at the Puppeteer Section). The eight competing actors for the "solo" section were selected from 30 competitors, a number that Cornel Todea considers less than satisfying.

The "Hop" Gala proposes dialogue, communication, accepting diversity and "accepting the other" as the organisers stated. The initiators of this event are UNITER, the Culture Ministry and the Ministry for Youth and Sports.

The jury is made of theatre critic Doina Modolea, director Tudor Marascu and actors Emilia Popescu and atefan Iordache and, of course director Cornel Todea, the manager of the Festival.