Gábor Tompa

artistic and managing director
Place and date of birth: Târgu Mureş, August 8, 1957
Gábor Tompa graduated in stage and film directing from the I.L. Caragiale Theatre and Film Academy in Bucharest in 1981, having been the student of some outstanding figures such as Liviu Ciulei, Mihai Dimiu, Cătălina Buzoianu, founders of the world-famous Romanian school of stage directing.
Since 1981 Gábor Tompa has been directing at the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj, Romania.
In 1987 he became the artistic director of the theatre and after the political changes he undertook the managment of the theatre as well.
Since 1989 he has been a professor at the Szentgyörgyi István Theatre Academy in Tg-Mureş.
He founded the Faculty of Dramatic Art in Cluj and has run its directing programme since 1991. He has staged more than 100 plays and produced another 120.

From March 2006 to April 2008 (when The Hungarian Theatre of Cluj joined the UTE) he was an individual member of the Union of European Theatres.
In May 2018 he was elected President of the Union of European Theatres
Since 2007 he has been Head of Directing at theTheatre and Dance Department of the University of California, San Diego.

Works worldwide:
2022
E. Ionesco: The Chairs 
– Théâtre National du Luxembourg, LUXEMBOURG
2021
Beckett: Waiting for Godot
– Sao Joao National Theatre, Porto, PORTUGAL
2019
W. Shakespeare: Richard II.  
– Vígszínház- Pesti Színház, Budapest, HUNGARY
2017
Dmitri Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District – Slovene National Theatre, Maribor, SLOVENIA
Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot – La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, USA
2015
Saviana Stănescu: Toys Hudson Guild Theatre, Los Angeles, USA
A. P. Chekhov: The Cherry Orchard Slovene National Theatre, Maribor, SLOVENIA
2013
Georg Büchner: Danton's Death Seoul Arts Center, SOUTH KOREA
Luigi Pirandello: Tonight We Improvise – La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, USA
2012
E. Ionesco:
Rhinoceros – Prague National Theatre, CZECH REPUBLIC
2011
Dido and Aeneas
 Bach Collegium, San Diego, USA
2010 
Ruins True
 – Coproduced by the Sushi Center for the Urban Arts, San Diego, USA and the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2009
Büchner: Woyzeck – la Jolla Playhouse-Potiker Theatre, San Diego, USA
2008
Mrozek: Tango – Theatre & Dance Department of the University of California, San Diego, USA
2005
After Euripides: Medea Circles
– Municipal Theatre, Novi Sad, SERBIA
2004
Ionesco: The New Tenant – Northern Stage Ensemble, Newcastle, ENGLAND
2003
Beckett: Play
– Hungarian Theatre of Cluj, Theatre Thália, Budapest, HUNGARY
Beckett: Waiting for Godot – Vígszínház, Budapest, HUNGARY
L. Pirandello: Tonight We Improvise – Staatsteather Freiburg, GERMANY
2002
András Visky: Juliet – Theatre Thália, Budapest – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
A. Camus: The Misunderstanding – Vígszínház, Budapest, HUNGARY
A. P. Chekhov: Three Sisters – Staatstheater, Freiburg, GERMANY
2001
W. Shakespeare: King Lear
– Vígszínház, Budapest, HUNGARY
Beckett: Waiting for Godot – Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg, CANADA
2000
Ionesco: The Bald Prima Donna – Athéneé Théâtre Louis Jouvet, Paris, FRANCE
Molière: Tartuffe – Théâtre de l`Union, Limoges, FRANCE
Beckett: Endgame – Teatre Principal de Palma, SPAIN
1999
Beckett: Waiting for Godot
– Lyric Theatre Belfast, UK
Mrozek: Tango – Teatre Lliure, Barcelona, SPAIN
Molière: The Pretentious Ladies – Teatre Alegria, Barcelona, SPAIN
1997
Mrozek: Tango
– Pesti Színház, Budapest, HUNGARY
Camus: The Misunderstanding – Akademietheater, Wien, AUSTRIA
1996
Ionesco: The Bald Prima Donna
– Théâtre de l`Union, Limoges, FRANCE
Visniec: Old Clown Wanted – Auersperg Fünftzen Theatre, Wien, AUSTRIA
Molière: Tartuffe – Thália Theatre, Budapest, HUNGARY
1995
Beckett: Waiting for Godot
– Staatstheater, Freiburg, Kammerspiele, GERMANY
1994
Shakespeare: Hamlet
– Tramway Theatre, Glasgow, UK
1992
Beckett: Endgame
– Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia, USA (workshop)
Beckett: Waiting for Godot – Szigligeti Theatre Szolnok, HUNGARY
1991
Camus: The Misunderstanding
– Szigligeti Theatre Szolnok, HUNGARY
Székely: The Moors – CastleTheatre Gyula, HUNGARY
1990
Büchner: Woyzeck
– Municipal Theatre, Novi Sad, YUGOSLAVIA
1987
Enquist: Song for Phaedra
– National Theatre Skopje, YUGOSLAVIA


Works in Romania:

2024
E. Ionesco: Stroll in the Air – Lucian Blaga National Theatre Cluj
2023
Sławomir Mroźek: Tango
 – National Theatre in Bucharest
2022
Adaptation after AeschylusPrometheus bound by Ágnes Kali and Gábor Tompa: Prometheus’22, coproducțion: Hungarian Theatre of Cluj – SNT Drama Ljubljana – Constanța State Theatre
2021
William Shakespeare: Hamlet – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2020
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute
– Hungarian Opera of Cluj 
2020
E. Ionesco: Rhinoceros 
– Mihai Eminescu National Theatre of Timișoara
2019
Marin Sorescu: Jonah Teatrul Maghiar de Stat Cluj
William Shakespeare: The Tempest – Lucian Blaga National Theatre Cluj
2018
William Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice 
– Hungarian Theatre of Cluj 
Maurice Ravel: The Spanish Hour / The Child and the Spells – Hungarian Opera of Cluj 
2016
Max Frisch: Biedermann and the Frebugs – German National Theatre, Timișoara
Samuel Beckett: Endgame National Theatre of Târgu-Mureș, Tompa Miklós Company
2015
Ubuzdup! Gábor Tompa's adaptation based on Alfred Jarry's texts, National Theatre Cluj
Friedrich Dürrenmatt: The Visit  Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2014
E. Ionesco: The New Tenant – Nottara Theatre, Bucharest
2013
Sándor Weöres: Towards Wholeness (scenic reading) – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Aureliu Manea: Aureliu Manea Trilogy – Lucian Blaga National Theatre
2012
Freefall adaptation after Caragiale: Leonida Gem Session – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Liam Clancy, Mary Reich, Yolande Snaith, Shahrokh Yadegari, Tompa Gábor:  Ruins True Refuge – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2011
Molière: The Misanthrope National Theatre of Iaşi
2010
Georg Büchner: Leonce and Lena – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
W. A. Mozart: Don Giovanni – National Opera of Cluj
András Visky: Alcoholics – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2009
András Visky: Born for Never – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
E. Ionesco - The Bald Prima Donna – Lucian Blaga National Theater Cluj
2008
A. P. Chekhov: Three Sisters – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
W. Shakespeare - Richard III – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj – Gyula Castle Theatre, Hungary
2006
András Visky: Long Friday – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Heiner Müller: Quartet – SalTimBanc Foundation Timişoara, Hungarian Theatre of Cluj, Nottara Theatre, Bucharest, Metropolis Youth Theatre, Bucharest
Shakespeare: King Lear – Lucian Blaga National Theatre, Cluj
E. Ionesco: Rhinoceros – Radu Stanca Theatre, Sibiu
2005
I.L. Caragiale: The Lost Letter – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
András Visky: Disciples – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Beckett: Waiting for Godot – Tamási Áron Theatre, Sf. Gheorghe
S. Mrozek: House on the Border – Radu Stanca Theatre, Sibiu
2004
Alfred Jarry: Ubu Enchained – Comedy Theatre, Bucharest
S. Beckett: Happy Days – Comedy Theatre, Bucharest
2003
E. Ionesco: Jacques or the Obedience – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj (Nominated by UNITER for Best Performance of the Year 2003)
S. Beckett: Play – Theatre Thália, Budapest – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
S. Witkiewicz: Cockroaches – Radu Stanca Theatre from Sibiu
2002
András Visky: Juliet – Theatre Thália, Budapest – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2001
S. Mrozek: Charlie – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
2000
Molière: The Misanthrope – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj (Nominated by UNITER for Best Performance of the Year 2001)
1999
S. Beckett: Endgame – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1998
Shakespeare: Troilus and Cresida – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1997
Shakespeare: Hamlet – National Theatre Craiova
Gombrowicz: Operetta – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj (Nominated by UNITER for Best Performance of the Year 1997)
1995
Büchner: Woyzeck – Bulandra Theatre, Bucharest
Bulgakov: Intrigue of the Hypocrites – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1994
Molière: Tartuffe – Theatre Academy, Târgu-Mureș
1993
Camus: The Misunderstanding – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj (Nominated by UNITER for Best Performance of the Year 1993)
1992
Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Ionesco: The Bald Prima Donna – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1991
Shakespeare: As you like it – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Székely: The Moors – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1990
Heltai: Moth-ball – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1989
Hsing-Chien: The Bus Stop – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Sigmond: Raining with Love – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Ispirescu: The Coach is Coming – National Theatre Târgu-Mureș
1988
Caragiale: A Tempestuous Night – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj

1987
Shakespeare: Hamlet
– Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Sütő A.: Blithe Wailing – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1986
Poliakoff: City Sugar
– Theatre Academy, Târgu-Mureș
1985
Mrozek: Tango
– Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1984
Caragiale: A Tempestuous Night
– National Theatre, Tg-Mures
Feydeau: Cat in a Bag – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Dehel G.: The Innocent – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1983
Bulgakov: Ivan, Wassilievitch
– Bulandra Theatre, Bucharest
S. Mrozek: Piotr Ohey – Academy of Theatre from Tg. Mures
1982
Albee: The Zoo-Story
– National Theatre, Tg-Mures
Bulgakov: Ivan, the Terrible – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
Blaga: Master Manole – Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
1981
Mrozek: Tango
– Theatre Academy, Bucharest
1980
Büchner: Woyzeck
– Hungarian Theatre, Sfîntu-Gheorghe
1979
Beckett: Happy Days
– Theatre Academy, Bucharest

Teaching Experience:
2006–present – University of California, San Diego, USA
1999–2000 – classes at Institut del Teatre Barcelona and Terrassa, Spain
1999 – Theatre Academy, Barcelona
1995 – Classes for actors at the State Theatre School in Freiburg, Germany,
1991 – Founder of the Theatre and Drama Faculty in Cluj, Romania
1990–1995 – Head of directing at the Theatre Academy in Tg-Mures, Romania

Workshops for directors:
Workshop for young directors on Woyzeck, National Theater of Korea, 2016
Workshop for young directors on Hamlet, National Theater of Korea, 2015
Magic Theatre, Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro Bogota, 2012
Brunel University, London, UK 2005 (directing MA programme)
Workshop on Shakespeare, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 2003
Festival de la Francophonie, Limoges, France, 2003
International Workshop Festival, Belfast, UK, 2000
International Workshop Festival, Glasgow, UK, 1994
International Workshop Festival, Manchester, UK, 1993

Movies:
Chinese Defence – director (Hungarian-Romanian-French coproduction, 1999)
Fugue – director (short film about János Jagamas, Romanian Television, 1978)
Behind the Mask – director (short film, Romanian Television, 1978)

Published works:
Van még könyvtár Amerikában? – Are There Libraries Left in America? (poems, Kalligram, Budapest, 2020)
Címke-függöny – Label-curtain (Gábor Tompa's private theatre dictionary, Bookart, Csíkszereda, 2010)
A tatu hozománya – Father's Dowry (poems for children, Pallas Akadémia, 2007)
Lidércbánya – Mine of Nightmares (selected poems, Pallas Akadémia, 2004)
Noé Színháza – Noah’s Theatre (selected poems, Pallas Akadémia, 2004)
Depressio Transilvanyae – (Four-handed sonnets with A. F. Kovács, Csíkszereda, Romania, 1998)
Aki nem én – Not I (poems, Tg-Mures, Romania, 1996)
A késdöfés gyöngédsége – The Tenderness of Stabbing (studies, Cluj, Romania, 1995)
Romániai magyar négykezesek – Four-handed Pieces (poems, with A. Visky, Pécs, Hungary, 1994)
Készenlét – Alertness (poems, Budapest, Hungary, 1990)
Óra, árnyékok – Clock, Shadows (poems, Bucharest, Romania, 1989)
A hűtlen színház – The Unfaithful Theatre. An essay on stage direction, Bucharest, 1987)

Books about his work:
A Journey into the World of Gábor Tompa, album by Mihaela Marin – Paideia  Publishing House, 2017
Gábor Tompa, A Stage Director's Oeuvre, from Three Sisters to The Cherry Orchard – Romanian Cultural Institute, 2016
TOMPA GÁBOR színházi világa / Viziuni scenice/ Theatrical Visions – Koinónia, Cluj, Romania, 2007
Conversation in Six Acts by Florica Ichim – Bucharest, Romania, 2003

Awards:
  • Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters awarded by the French Ministry of Culture (Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres)
  • UNITER (Romanian Theater Union)
    • Nominated for Best Performance Award, 2011 (Leonce and Lena)
    • Nominated for Best Performance Award, 2005 (Waiting for Godot)
    • Nominated for the Best Performance Award, 2003 (Jacques or the Obedience)
    • Award for Excellence – 2002
    • Best Director of the Year in Romania (1984–ATM, 1987–ATM, 1993, and 1997, 2008, 2019)
    •  Best Performance of the Year (1989, 1992, 2008)  
  • Best Performance of the Year in Yugoslavia (1990)
  • EMKE-Prize (1992)
  • I. L. Caragiale National Theatre Festival – Best Directing (1992, 1996)
  • Best Foreign Performance of the Year in England (1993)
  • International Theatre Festival – Kishinev (1994), Best Director, Best Performance
  • Theaterpreis, Stuttgart (1995)
  • Hungarian National Theatre Festival (1996) – Best Director
  • "Interference"– Prize of Romanian Culture Foundation, 1996
  • Cuvântul-Prize (1996)
  • Critics' Award (ITI Romania, 1997)
  • Open Society Foundation Romania – Prize for Contemporary Arts • theatre, 1997
  • Kriterion-Prize (1997)
  • Award for French Culture (1997)
  • Best First Feature Award, International Film Festival, Salerno, Italy, for his “Chinese Defence”, 1999
  • Nomination for The Irish Times Award – 1999 for Waiting for Godot
  • The Distinction of the Romanian President, Emil Constantinescu, 2000
  • Artist Meritorious of Hungary (2002)
  • The Festival of the Romanian Dramaturgy (2004) – Best Directing
  • Szabadság Prize (2004)
  • Nomination for the Best Performance of the Year 2005 (Waiting for Godot, Tamási Áron Theatre, Sf. Gheorghe)
  • The Festival of the Romanian Comedy (2007) – Best Directing
  • Golden Apple Award (2007)
  • Media Excellency Prize (2008, 2010)
  • Ambassador of Hungarian Culture (2009)
  • Hevesi Sándor Prize - ITI (International Theatre Institute) Award (2011)
  • Short Drama Festival (2013) - Best Directing
  • Hungarian Contemporary Culture in Transylvania Award (2020)
  • Dsida Jenő Prize (2021)

Spoken Languages:
Hungarian, Romanian, English, German, French, Catalan

Artistic activity at the Hungarian Theatre

2021/2022

directed by - Adaptation after Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound by Ágnes KALI and Gábor TOMPA: PROMETHEUS'22
directed by - William Shakespeare: Hamlet

2018/2019

directed by - Marin Sorescu: Jonah
directed by - William Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice

2014/2015

directed by - Friedrich Dürrenmatt: The Visit

2012/2013

directed by - Freefall adaptation after Caragiale: Leonida Gem Session
directed by - Liam Clancy, Mary Reich, Yolande Snaith, Shahrokh Yadegari, Tompa Gábor: Ruins True Refuge

2010/2011

directed by - Ruins true, music composed by: Shahrokh Yadegari
directed by - Georg Büchner: Leonce and Lena
directed by - András Visky: Alcoholics

2009/2010

directed by, music by - András Visky: Born for Never

2008/2009

directed by - William Shakespeare: Richard III
directed by - A.P. Chekhov: Three Sisters

2006/2007

directed by, music by - Heiner Müller: Quartet
directed by, music illustration - András Visky: Long Friday

2005/2006

directed by, music illustration - After Euripides: Medea Circles
directed by - Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot
directed by - I.L. Caragiale: The Lost Letter
directed by - András Visky: Disciples

2003/2004

directed by - Eugene Ionesco: Jacques or The Submission

2002/2003

directed by - Samuel Beckett: Play
directed by - András Visky: Juliet

2001/2002

directed by, set design, costume design - Slawomir Mrožek: Charlie

1999/2000

directed by - Molière: The Misanthrope

1995/1996

directed by - Witold Gombrowicz: OPERETTA

1994/1995

directed by, music by - Mihail Bulgakov: THE CABAL OF HYPOCRITES

1991/1992

directed by, music by - Eugène Ionesco: THE BALD SOPRANO

1989/1990

directed by - János Székely: CALIGULA'S GOVERNOR

1988/1989

directed by - Hsing-Chien: The Bus Stop