THE 2026 REHEARSAL FOR TRUTH THEATER FESTIVAL Spring Reading series | April 23 – JUNE 1, 2026
2026 SPRING READINGS
The 2026 Spring Readings will take place from April 23 – June 1. It will include staged readings and contemporary plays by award-winning European playwrights. All the readings were being presented free of charge, with a requested donation.
This is a unique opportunity to see how the writers of Central and Eastern European are responding to these turbulent times, while also examining how past writers have responded to other times of crisis. We start with Ophelia OnlyFans, a Czech play by Tomáš Ráliš, a darkly satirical version of Hamlet focusing on politics and sexual indiscretion. Next is the Ukranian play Antonina, by Tetiana Kytsenko, the real story of a non-binary soldier fighting against the Russian invasion. Then we will present Hitler’s President, a Slovak play by Luba Lesna adapting a book by Madeline Vadkerty, an expose of President Tiso and his complicity with Hitler during World War II.
Our final evening may be our most ambitions, as we have newly commissioned short plays using Havel’s signature character, Vaněk, in honor of what would have been Havel’s 90th birthday. Read all about the participants and the program here: Vanek 2026.
“The reading series provides a rare opportunity to hear artistic voices from Central and Eastern Europe. We are at a time marked by war, and once again the region finds itself in the center of conflict. These plays reflect on war, oppression, and its legacy, and they provide a way to connect to both the human trauma and perseverance that is part of that legacy.”
Organizers
The Vaclav Havel Center (VHC)
Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA)
Untitled Theater Company No. 61 (UTC61)
PARTNERS
Czech Center New York
Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews
Voyager Theater Company
PROMOTION PARTNERS
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York
Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), New York
MAIN SUPPORTERS
New York City Council (Immigrants Initiative)
FESTIVAL TEAM
Edward Einhorn | Artistic Director
Berit Johnson | Production Manager
NU AVE ART | Web Master/Marketing
Marek Soltis | Technical Manager & Sound
Jiri Mirovsky | Technician
Steve Prue | Photography
Katarina Mirovsky | Accounting
VENUE
Bohemian National Hall, New York City
2026 SPRING READING PROGRAM
Hitler's President (Slovakia) | STAGE READING
Based on the book Your Honour, Mr President by Madeline Vadkerty
Vanek 2026 (Belarus, Czechia, Lithuania, Slovakia, USA) | STAGE READING
Directors: Edward Einhorn (USA) and Štěpán Šimek (Czechia)
