Studio Marta

Studio Marta is an experimental theatre stage run by the Theatre Faculty of the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts (JAMU) in Brno, where young actors, directors and set designers take their first steps in front of a real audience. It sits in the basement of an apartment building on Bayerova Street 5, in the Veveří district near the city centre.

How did this stage come to be?

The academy took over the hall on Bayerova Street in 1952, five years after JAMU was officially founded. Students and teachers converted the space together, and over time it became known as Studio Marta. For decades it has functioned as a place to learn the craft in practice — somewhere between a classroom, a laboratory and a working theatre.

How has the space changed over time?

The biggest transformation came in 1990–1991, when the traditional proscenium stage was rebuilt into a modern, flexible theatre hall. The new configuration allows the seating and staging to be arranged in almost any way a production needs, from a classic frontal layout to fully immersive setups that surround the audience. In summer 2018, the stage, lighting and sound equipment were modernized to meet contemporary production standards, while the wheelchair-accessible layout was kept in place.

What can visitors see here?

Studio Marta works simultaneously as a rehearsal space, a testing ground and a fully functioning stage. Over the course of an academic year, students put on four to five new productions, adding up to roughly 60–70 performances annually. Shows are directed either by faculty members or by directing students themselves, which keeps the programme varied — from classic drama to experimental staging. A number of actors who later became well known in Czech theatre and film got their start on this stage, including Jana Plodková, Iva Pazderková and Václav Neužil.

Who is this place for?

Studio Marta appeals to anyone curious about live, non-commercial theatre and interested in seeing how actor training actually works behind the scenes. It's also a chance to catch future stars of the Czech stage before they become recognizable names. The intimate setting and the close distance between stage and audience give performances a personal quality that's different from the larger repertory theatres in Brno.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Studio Marta located? On Bayerova Street 5 in the Veveří district, in the central part of Brno.

Who performs on this stage? Students of the JAMU Theatre Faculty — acting, directing, dramaturgy and set design — working under the guidance of their teachers.

How many premieres take place each season? Usually four to five, with the total number of performances in an academic year reaching around 60–70.

Has the venue been renovated? Yes, a major reconstruction took place in 1990–1991, and the stage technology was modernized in 2018.