Dialogue – Repertory Theatre or Freelancing? Two Paths, Two Ways of Working. Éva Imre and Rita Sigmond in dialogue with Emőke Pál (HU)

Éva Imre and Rita Sigmond graduated in 2012 from the Faculty of Theatre and Television at Babeș–Bolyai University. At the beginning of their careers, both of them joined the ensemble of the Hungarian State Theatre in Cluj, but after a few years they took different paths.

After six years in repertory theatre, Rita Sigmond moved to London, focusing mainly on film projects and gaining first-hand experience of the freelance system in England. After several years of working abroad, she returned to Romania, where she currently works as a freelancer. Meanwhile, Éva Imre remained with the Cluj company throughout and continues to be a defining presence in the theatre’s artistic life.

The starting point of the discussion is this shared beginning and the choice of different trajectories: what kinds of decisions shape an acting career? What professional and existential differences emerge between repertory theatre and freelance work? What kinds of opportunities, risks, and degrees of freedom do these two systems offer, and how do they influence creative processes and individual paths?

The round table does not only highlight two individual journeys, but also offers a broader perspective on working models in contemporary theatre and film, with a focus on the choices faced by young artists at the beginning of their careers.

The discussion will be moderated by Emőke Pál.

In case of bad weather: Room 18.