On June 13, 2025, within the framework of the implementation of the EU Erasmus+ project 101082696 – PROMENT “Promoting professional education and active participation of students through the formation of a comprehensive system of mentoring and tutoring in higher education institutions” under the scheme “Mentoring of young teachers” in an offline format, a mentoring session “Public readings: an introduction to contemporary US dramaturgy” was held.

The event was held on the chamber stage of the Mykolaiv Academic Art Drama Theater as part of the international project “Theatrical Windows: Ukraine-USA”, which is implemented in partnership with the Kharkiv Theater on Zhuky and the New York Voyage Theatre.

The event was moderated by the theater director, Honored Artist of Ukraine Artem Svystun, as well as the mentor of the PROMENT project – oratory trainer, teacher of stage disciplines, actress, Honored Artist of Ukraine Maryna Vasilyeva.

As part of the cultural exchange, contemporary American dramatic works were presented: “Surprise in the Night” and “Bag of Bees” by John Maybee and “From the Script” by Mark Harvey Levin.

The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the student mentees with the format of public readings, the interpretive possibilities of contemporary American drama, and the development of professional translation skills.

The opening speech was delivered by Halyna Kosareva, coordinator of the “Mentoring of Young Teachers” program, associate professor of the Department of Ukrainian Philology and Intercultural Communication at Petro Mohyla National University of Chernivtsi, who emphasized the importance of the event for intercultural dialogue, translation studies practice, and the formation of theatrical competence.

Of particular note is the direct online interaction with American directors – in particular, with John Friedman, whose speech the students simultaneously translated in real time, demonstrating their high linguistic and communicative training.

In addition, the mentees became participants in the performance: the theater actors presented readings and improvisational acting of short dramatic works. After that, a professional discussion of the participants took place on the poetics of the performances and their stage embodiment by the theater actors. The student community of the Faculty of Philology also actively participated in the discussion, which showed interest in the interpretative potential of the plays and the wonderful acting of the actors.

We sincerely thank the theater team and Ms. Marina Vasilyeva for an inspiring and useful experience for our students, which combined the art of literature and theater, language, and international communication.

Materials prepared by

Halyna Kosaryeva, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Ukrainian Philology and Intercultural Communication of Petro Mohyla National University of Chernivtsi, Coordinator of the “Mentoring of Young Teachers” Program, Implementer of the PROMENT Project