Willem Dafoe Reveals Exciting Plans for This Year’s Venice Biennale

ROME, Italy — Willem Dafoe, the acclaimed actor and artistic director of this year’s Venice Biennale, shared insights on his upcoming programming for the festival set to take place from May 31 to June 15. In a recent Zoom interview, Dafoe emphasized his passion for the arts and his vision to celebrate the intersection of film, dance, architecture, and music during the event.

At nearly 70, Dafoe said he didn’t need to ‘shop’ for artists to feature in the festival. ‘I’ve worked with people I admire and have connections with,’ he explained. This year’s lineup will include works by notable European artists, including Thomas Ostermeier and Milo Rau, alongside projects from the Wooster Group, the theatre collective he has long been associated with.

The Wooster Group will present their play “Symphony of Rats,” an exciting production they staged in New York City earlier this year. Additionally, the festival will feature street performances by American poet Anne Waldman in collaboration with an Italian collective, as well as innovative pieces from Norway’s Little Eye and the renowned Grotowski inheritor, Andreas Kriegenburg.

‘I was very flattered when the Biennale president called and asked me to be the artistic director,’ Dafoe said. ‘It’s a great opportunity for me to return to my theatre roots,’ he added, noting that his dedication to the arts has shaped him throughout his career. Although Dafoe has been largely involved in film recently, he maintains a strong connection to his theatre origins through continuous collaboration.

When asked about his time spent in Rome, Dafoe revealed, ‘About 20 years ago, I met my wife, director and screenwriter Giada Colagrande, and I started spending time in Italy. I still keep a place in New York, but I find myself in Italy much more.’

Regarding the programming for Venice Biennale, Dafoe noted, ‘It feels like the first time every time I start something new.’ He aims to incorporate a variety of artistic expressions while emphasizing the importance of the human body in theatre. ‘The body is intelligent and expresses things beyond our experience,’ he said, capturing the essence of the festival’s theme.

One unique aspect of his programming involves a category dedicated to ‘maestros’ who influence or challenge the boundaries of modern theatre. ‘Established artists need to share the stage with emerging talents,’ he explained. He is particularly excited to include voices that encompass diverse backgrounds and experiences.

In reflecting on his early years with the Wooster Group, Dafoe expressed how formative experiences shaped his understanding of theatre: ‘I started out as a kid with Theatre X in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I would read about pioneers like Richard Foreman and Tadeusz Kantor, which inspired me to pursue a career in the arts.’ Dafoe’s deep appreciation for his predecessors resonates throughout the festival, inviting attendees to understand the origins and evolution of theatrical expression.

He also discussed programming a piece by Davide Iodice, “Pinocchio,” which focuses on powerful storytelling with diverse performers. ‘It exemplifies how theatre can celebrate humanity and communal experience,’ Dafoe remarked. This attention to inclusivity and expression resonates with his belief in the transformative power of the arts.

In homage to Richard Foreman—a mentor and inspiration—Dafoe plans to engage in a unique performance involving random phrases from Foreman’s cards, exploring communication in a theatrical context. ‘It’s an experiment about how we connect and communicate,’ he explained. ‘It’s not actors strutting their stuff, but rather an exploration of human interaction as a vital component of theatre.’

The Venice Biennale promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity as Dafoe brings together international artists to explore and redefine theatre’s place in the world. With a commitment to bridging generations and forms of artistic expression, this year’s event is sure to be momentous.