Kalich Theater Founder Michal Kocourek Reflects on Success, New Talent Initiative & Tech Disconnect
Prague, czech Republic – Michal Kocourek, founder of Prague’s Kalich Theater, revealed plans to establish a small conservatory to nurture young talent, despite acknowledging moments of burnout after decades in the industry. In a recent interview on the Boomer Talk podcast, Kocourek discussed his vision for the future of the theater, his complicated relationship with modern technology, and a career spanning pre- and post-revolution Czech Republic.
The Kalich Theater currently attracts over 400,000 visitors annually through its theatrical productions, tours, and summer stage performances.Kocourek envisions the new talent school as a response to a lack of possibility for promising young performers. He also hopes to create an intimate 70-seat venue, tentatively named Kalíšek, to showcase emerging artists.”There are a lot of talented young people, but little opportunities,” Kocourek stated.
Despite his success, Kocourek admits to feeling out of step with the digital age. “There are times when I feel [like a boomer],” he confessed. “I am most destroyed by technology: applications, computers, I don’t enjoy it and I don’t have a relationship to it. I only use it for data or for mails.” He expressed concern over media manipulation and the distortion of information, but noted his perspective is informed by experiencing life before the Velvet Revolution and recognizing the current prosperity.
The Boomer Talk podcast, hosted by Miloš Pokorný and available on Podcasty.cz, explores comparisons between past and present through interviews with guests from diverse professions. The podcast utilizes the term ”boomer” satirically,referencing critical older internet users.
