The board of directors of the Venice
Biennale announced Monday that American actor Willem Dafoe will
be the new Artistic Director of its Theatre Department in the
2025-2026 period.
"It is an honour to announce the appointment of Willem Dafoe as
the Director of Biennale Teatro," said Pietrangelo Buttafuoco
after the board meeting which he chaired and which deliberated
the nomination.
"Theatre is in fact the original home of his lustrous career.
"One of the founders of the legendary Wooster Group in 1977, the
perfect control of his body on stage has always stemmed from
discipline, knowledge, passion and a profound awareness of
theatre.
"I can't wait, like everyone else, to be a spectator at the
Festival he will build as Artistic Director and - from his
lectern as an absolute maestro - to watch the young men and
women of the Theatre College grow in their art".
The 68-year-old artist said he was "first surprised then happy"
at the invitation to take up the position.
"I realise that I am known as a film actor, but I was born in
the theatre, the theatre trained me and galvanised me," he said.
"I am a stage animal. I am an actor. Theatre taught me about art
and life. I worked with the Wooster Group for 27 years,
"I have collaborated with great directors from Richard Foreman
to Bob Wilson. "The direction of my Theatre program will be
charted by my personal development. A sort of exploration of the
essence of the body".
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