Unsurpassed authenticity. The actors of the Silesian amateur Theater Naumiony

Community theater in Upper Silesia, despite its rich tradition, was gradually marginalized for political reasons after the Second World War. Reactivation of amateur groups and the creation of new ones in various places in the region (e.g. Suszec, Jastrzębie, Mikołów, Ornontowice) bears the testimony to its recent regeneration during last several years. Recognizing motives of theatrical activity in the local communities in Silesia – on the example of amateur Theater Naumiony from Ornontowice – proves that it is a result of a will to defend and a need to continue the cultural tradition as well as a requirement to manifest Silesian autonomy. Community theater made by the amateur theatre from Ornontowice is in my opinion a fading kind of “origins theater”. The theater that has grown from the volunteer spirit and is gathering respectably large audience during their performances. Such theatre becomes the Silesian tradition and culture medium, the tradition and culture with the local dialect at the core. The theatre shows are both artistic events, as well as the social forms of coexistence of people whose sense of identity requires such enunciation and such is performed. Based on the performances (Kopidoł, Marika, Hebama) and the observation of rehearsals and interviews with actors, one may present the acting character of Silesian amateur players using the Silesian dialect and integrating different generations, trying to give voice to Silesian Soul and to achieve unsurpassed authenticity on stage.