Janusz Józefowicz

Janusz Józefowicz is a Polish director, choreographer, actor and dancer. Born – July 3, 1959

Graduated from the Warsaw State Theatrical School. He studied dance at the Vocal and Dance School in Koszecin and in Prague, where he studied under the prominent dance professor Frank Towen. His graduation production „Misbehaving”, created at the Theatrical School in 1984 was an important artistic event. The show has been played at the Ateneum Theater in Warsaw and at the Rampa Theater, where Józefowicz became head choreographer. He crossed Europe with the show gathering many awards.

In 1990 Józefowicz received a six-week scholarship for choreographers from the American government. Also, for one year he held choreographic classes in West Berlin. He also educated many artists from Poland, Russia, Germany and Belarus.

He always wanted to stage a Polish musical – one, that would tell the story of his generation. He spent a year looking for the right performers across Poland and in neighboring countries. Finally his musical „METRO” had its premiere on January 30, 1991 at the Dramatyczny Theater in Warsaw, then in 1992 at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway and on October 22, 1999 in Moscow at The Bolshaya Opereta. In 1995 „METRO” was successfully performed in France. The play was nominated for the Tony Award for the best score. In 1994 it was awarded the 'Golden Record' award, in 1997 – “Platinum Record” and in 1998 with double “Platinum Record”. „METRO” became the most successful event of the season and it is still performed at the Studio Buffo Theater. It has been performed for more than 1 980 times in Poland, has been seen by over 2 500 000 spectators and has appeared the most remarkable cultural phenomenon of the recent years.

Janusz Józefowicz was a director and a choreographer of several other original musicals: „Peter Pan”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Miss Tutli Putli” and many adaptations: “Witches of Eastwick” (Moscow), Prophet (Minsk), “Halka”, “Zemsta nietoperza”, “Krakowiacy i Górale”, “Dama od Maxima” (TV theater). His most recent undertaking was directing and making choreography to Roger Waters’ opera “Ca Ira”. In December 2011 he directed musical “Polita” in which, for the first time on stage, 3D live technique was used.

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