Petro Ionescu - on the magic of love and its opposite!

"Part 1. Love" is the very first premiere of 2022 at Reactor! The show is directed by Petro Ionescu, a wonderful artist who has collaborated with Reactor on numerous productions, but is now introducing herself to you for the first time in the exciting role of director! We asked her to share a few thoughts on what we're about to experience and how she feels about this wonderful new perspective. Here is what she has to say:

I am currently working on my dissertation show. I'm in my second year of the Master’s in the Art of Directing at the University of Arts in Târgu-Mureș. The performance explores the theme of love from various perspectives, tracing the contexts in which we learn to love or speak about love. I am passionate about exploring the emotional baggage that comes with experiences that aren't always easy. We set to work using devised theater methods, so some of the stories in the show belong to the artistic team, beautifully passed through a poetic and fictionalized filter!

Up until now, I have enjoyed all kinds of stage experiences, but working from a director's perspective is a whole new journey! It changes things tremendously. It's something I’ve wanted for a long time, and I absolutely love coordinating the first phase of the process. It's truly wonderful how things are born in that space, how possible paths are constantly opening up! The second part of the process—constructing and setting the show—is slightly less my favorite, as it can lose some freshness. Perhaps that's why I'm drawn to performance art and hybrid forms. I love seeing raw, unpolished elements, and I enjoy mistakes on stage because they feel so much more alive than something perfectly rigid! At the same time, I deeply believe in having a strong concept and defining parameters.

Of course, plans made at home don't always match the reality on the ground, especially when working collaboratively! As for the process, I know I want it to be light, relaxed, and cheerful. I care about harmony and finding a common language. I don't function well under stress at all—it blocks me and dampens my creative spirit! Just like everyone else, I want to create a fantastic show that keeps our audience captivated, but I also really want to nurture a special bond between the performers. For me, that is the ultimate theme: a sense of attention and care on stage that is unique to the group, with its very own rules!

I keep thinking about how we can talk about love today, and truth be told, I'm not always sure! I can easily recommend books written by people much smarter and more capable of discussing it than me. In the context of the war in Ukraine, I admit it wasn't easy to keep working on this show. To insist on talking about love while the exact opposite was happening outside. Perhaps this was a test for our show. I believe we can talk about love by finding its many beautiful facets. Love means something different to everyone, and I don't aim to define it. It simply happens, and it is powerful, almost overwhelming, but I find myself searching more and more for the calm, peaceful side of love. Love takes time. It requires many conditions to endure and thrive. I know my sweet words won't solve everything, but this is where my thoughts are. The future is a bit hazy, and any projection feels tricky right now, so I prefer to just focus on the present!

"Part 1. Love" is a performance produced within the "Perspectives" cultural program, co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund.

The program does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the program or how the results of the program may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the grant beneficiary.