Sára Arnstein’s original performance reflects the reality of the internet age and the phenomenon of living the present through “connection” and the intensive use of smartphones. It explores a particular kind of friendship and dependence. As the sole performer on stage, Sára Arnstein playfully zooms in on herself from different angles through physical movement, text, and the use of empty space. She shows a person who often finds themselves caught in a loop of impulses and stimuli, pulsing in steady rhythm between us and the devices we carry day and night. This reality easily turns into a habit, one the individual turns to out of necessity, practicality, desire, fun, need, boredom, inertia—or even unconsciously. What did I actually want? What do I really need? Can this be uncovered, or figured out? How much effort does it take, in today’s pace of life, to consciously pause for a moment and devote ourselves to ________ (fill in as you wish)? Wonderland becomes both a setting and a state of mind.
The Ufftenživot Ensemble consists of Sára Arnstein, Jiří Šimek, stage manager Štěpán Hejzlar, and producer Tereza Tomášová since 2020. Ufftenživot’s work combines disciplines, explores new avenues of stage expression, and pushes the boundaries of theatre itself. Through research, improvisation, and experimentation, the final performance gradually takes shape. A defining feature of the ensemble’s work is its focus on the presence of both audience and performer, their relationship here and now, as well as the exposure and simplicity of the message.
Since its founding in 2013, the ensemble has created seven original productions: Králíček (2013, DAMU), GoG (2014, Studio ALTA), Loneliness & Stuff (2016, Studio ALTA), KEEP CALM (2017, Alfred ve dvoře), Neboj aneb show tanečníka Jiříka (2018, Cross Attic), Words of Apology (2019, NOD), and What’s Happening (2019, Palác Akropolis). In addition to leading workshops, ensemble members occasionally moderate cultural events, such as Día de los muertos (2016, Alfred ve dvoře), Den tance (2017, Studio ALTA), and the Czech theatre DNA Awards during the Malá inventura festival. Their production KEEP CALM (2017) was nominated for Best Alternative Performance of the Year in the i-divadlo poll, while Sára Arnsteinová won the Best Female Performance in Alternative Theatre for 2017. In 2020, the ensemble was nominated for the Czech Theatre DNA Award, particularly for its unique approach to engaging audiences.
Sára Arnstein studied at a Czech-Italian language high school and earned a bachelor’s degree in Italian Studies at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts (FFUK). She then graduated from DAMU’s Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre, studying acting in Petra Tejnorová’s studio. She has performed in Studio Hrdinů in Zápisky Malta Lauridse Brigga (dir. A. Svozil, K. Kosová), Pár vzkazů Veškerenstvu (dir. J. Horák, M. Pěchouček), the dance piece Korekce (dir. J. Havelka), and immersive projects with the Pomezí group such as Pomezí and Dům v Jabloních, as well as the museum piece Prosíme, nesahat! (Palacký & Rieger Memorial) and the autobiographical puppet play about her grandparents Přijdu včera (CED, Brno). She has also appeared in films and TV series including Anthropoid (Sean Ellis), Underworld: Blood Wars (Anna Foerster), Já, Mattoni (Marek Najbrt), Dukla 61 (David Ondříček), Milada (David Mrnka), Specialisté (Lukáš Hanulák), and Místo zločinu Ostrava (Jan Hřebejk).
As an illustrator, she contributed to the children’s book by actress Marta Dancingerová, titled Nikolas a tajemství Snozemě.
The charismatic Arnstein need not summon the audience’s attention more than once; her organic expression—both verbal and physical—imbues the performance with an unmistakable authenticity. Her gaze, at once amiable, unforced, and yet undeniably authoritative, proves impossible to disregard.
— (Rozalie Andělová, Taneční aktuality, 2024)
Duration: 40 min
English friendly
Concept, performed by: Sára Arnstein’
Dramaturgy: Lucia Kašiarová, Ana Nežmah
Scenography: Eszter Koncz
Light design, technology: Lukáš Benda, Matouš Ondra
Production and PR: Ufftenživot, Tereza Tomášová and Karolína Pepelanov
Photo: Dita Havránková
Graphic design of the poster and video: Eszter Koncz and Jiří Šimek
The project is a co-production between Ufftenživot, Studio ALTA, Center of independent culture Záhrada – Banská Bystrica, Eliad’s library Theater Na zábradlí.
The project was created thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Prague City Hall. The project was supported by the Center for Choreographic Development SE.S.TA and REZI.dance Komařice.
The project at Kulturní stanice Galaxie is being created in collaboration with: Studio ALTA, 4 + 4 Days in Motion and Danceconnected
