About

MgA. Jan Čtvrtník, PhD.

I’m a sound designer, musician, performer and educator. I explore sound as a stage component, with an emphasis on the live action of the performer. I collaborate with theatre companies, create sound installations and compose film music.

I graduated from the doctoral programme at DAMU. I direct Menteatrál, a festival of professional theatres working with people with special needs, and I also teach externally at DAMU in Prague.

Music & sound design

I compose music and design sound for theatre. My collaborations include DJKT Pilsen, South Bohemian Theatre, Drak Theatre, Theatre Alfa, Theatre Bajka Český Těšín, Theatre Lampion, National Theatre and Białystok.

In devised theatre, I have worked with Cirk La Putyka, 11:55, Theatre Vzhůru nohama, Dance Studio Light, Stransky Art Company and Temporary Collective.

My work also extends to film and gallery spaces. Film sound and music credits include Bůh s námi, Češi proti Čechům, Miluj mě, jestli to dokážeš and Už tě nemám rád. Installation projects include 1968 and Karel IV. at the National Gallery, Theatrum Mundi Kuks and Krakataudio.

Performance — selected work

As a performer, my work includes Neratov, divadlo má (s)mysl, Theatre Vzhůru nohama and Dance Studio Light. I have also worked with the devised theatre group 11:55 and performed in Proces and Progres at Theatre Ponec, DIALOG and Tamura, Last Drop with Stransky Art Company, and Mše za velrybu at Terén Brno.

Practice & direction

I work as a freelance artist and direct Jiné jeviště, a theatre working with groups of people with special needs. I also direct Menteatrál, an international festival of theatres creating with people with special needs.

Teaching

I teach acting and music, both independently and through collaborations with Jiné jeviště, Theatre Vzhůru nohama and Dance Studio Light. At DAMU’s Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre, my teaching focuses on theatre with groups of people with special needs.

Education

I studied acting and music at the Prague Conservatory, followed by a master’s degree in Alternative and Puppet Theatre at AMU Prague. I completed my doctoral studies in the same field at DAMU.

Awards

My music has received the Best Composer award at the International Historical Film Festival in Pápa / Budapest and the Best Music award at the Mateřinka Theatre Festival for Do hajan! by Divadlo Drak.

Publications — in Czech

My Czech-language publications include contributions to Divadlo a interakce VI — Neratov – divadlo má (s)mysl, Specifické divadlo — Menteatrál, and Hnízdo pro duši — Hudební dramaturgie ve specifických skupinách.