Vanek 2026 (Belarus, Czechia, Lithuania, Romania, USA)

A series of newly commissioned short plays using Václav Havel’s character, Ferdinand Vaněk (or his relatives and descendants) and placing them in modern scenarios, imaging them in the world of today. Vanek was based on Havel himself but because a symbol of the dissident movement in Czechoslovakia. He has been used by multiple playwrights, including Tom Stoppard. This year, we have reached out to past collaborators to continue Havel's legacy, in the year of his 90th birthday.  Featuring plays by Maryia Bialkovich (Belarus), Edward Einhorn (USA), Gabriele Labanauskaite (Lithuania), Natalie Kocab (Czechia), and Norman Manea/Saviana Stanescu (Romania).

 Directed by Edward Einhorn (USA) and Štěpán Šimek (Czechia), with a talkback following.

With: Vas Eli, Nalina Mann, Grant Neale, Štěpán Šimek, Maxwell Zener

Awkward Pause
By Maryia Bialkovich (Belarus)
Directed by Edward Einhorn

Meeting in Amsterdam
Written and directed by Edward Einhorn (USA)

RG
by Gabriele Labanauskaite (Lithuania)
Directed by Štěpán Šimek (Czechia)

The Václav Havel Airport
by Natalie Kocab (Czechia)
Directed by Štěpán Šimek (Czechia)

Hooligan's Return - Barney Greengrass scene
Adapted by Saviana Stanescu (Romania)
From the book by Norman Manea (Romania)

Performed in English.

Rehearsal for Truth International Theater Festival, honoring Václav Havel, is a showcase of contemporary European theater organized each year in New York City. Conceived in 2017 as a shared endeavor of the Václav Havel Center (VHC) and Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA), the festival honors the legacy of Czech playwright, dissident and political thinker Vaclav Havel. The 2026 festival is being produced in partnership with Untitled Theater Company No. 61.

Each edition of Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival addresses current sociopolitical trends in Central and Eastern Europe, offering New York audiences a unique opportunity to witness the region’s theatrical zeitgeist.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.