MAXIMILIAN BALDUZZI
Associate Director

Maximilian Balduzzi was born in a small village in the Italian Alps. He holds a degree in theatre from the University of Bologna and has worked both in Italy and internationally as a performer, director, and teacher of actors. For the past fifteen years he has dedicated himself to the study of physical and vocal training for actors.

After his university training, Maximilian founded the performance group Teatro della Pioggia with director Anne Zenour in Siena in 2003. With Zenour he created several original theatrical works including TRAMPS, PINNOCHIO, AGAMENNONE, and the solo performance PADRONE E SERVITORE. As co-founder of the ensemble, he was also responsible for leading workshops and organizing an annual theater festival in Siena.

While based in Italy, Maximilian also sought out additional opportunities to development his craft and performance experience. He worked with Stefano Vercelli in Italy and also with Mamadou Dioume, an actor with Peter Brook's International Centre for Theatre Research. In 2006, Maximilian spent six months living in Bali, Indonesia, studying Balinese dance and song with Guru I Made Bukel and Guru I Nyoman Tchandri.

Maximilian moved to New York City in 2008 and soon began working with two contemporary performance organizations in the city: Urban Research Theater and Cave Arts. With Ben Spatz, Artistic Director of Urban Research Theater, he created and performed in PLAYWAR (Abrons Arts Center 2012; Medicine Show Theatre 2010; Movement Research Festival 2010) and directed THEATRICALE (Lincoln Center Atrium 2011; The Living Theatre 2011). These works were supported by La Mama Experimental Theatre and received funding from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

During this time, Maximilian also continued to work as an independent performer and teacher. Recent performances include Arturo Vidich's BODY ISLAND (Abrons Arts Center 2011), James Scruggs's TICKETS TO MANHOOD ("Hot!" Festival at Dixon Place 2011), Korean singer Jihae's FIRE BURNING RAIN (Highline Ballroom 2011), and a staged reading of new works by Italian playwright Mario Fratti.

Maximilian has taught workshops and master classes at Lincoln Center, Emerson College, Brooklyn College, The College of Staten Island, Cave Arts, and Actors Movement Studio. He is a current Artist-in-Residence (2010-2012) at both Movement Research and Cave Arts. In addition to the venues mentioned above, his work has been seen at the Centre for Performance Research, Chez Bushwick, Where Eagles Dare, Cave Arts, and elsewhere.

This past February, Maximilian presented the first phase of a new work at Movement Research at Judson Church in collaboration with Helga Davis, a core performer in the current restaging of Robert Wilson's EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH.

Contact: maximilian [at] urbanresearchtheater.com