Graduate of the Stanisław Wyspiański Theatre Academy in Krakow /2021/

1.03.2022 – Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theatre in Krakow

He made his debut at the Stary Theatre while still a student of the Theatre Academy in Krakow, in Agnieszka Glińska’s play based on “The Maidens of Wilko” by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz. Then the same director entrusted him with a dual role in her next production, “The Hearing Trumpet,” based on the novel by Leonora Carrington, where Michał Balicki creates one of the more effective images: “In one of the most enchanting moments of the play, the actors are crammed in the centre of the stage and snow falls on their heads. Then a mailman sweeps in on roller skates (standing in for ice skates), wearing a bell-hop uniform reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel” (Katarzyna Waligóra, Teatr). He is the one who cries out brazenly for revolution in Paweł Miśkiewicz’s new reading of “The Demons: A Play about Drinking Tea.”

He also shone in “Other People” by the same director, a play that took an award at the 38^th Festival of Theatre Schools online, and of which Artur Stanek wrote: “The level of acting in Paweł Miśkiewicz’s play is quite uniform and very high. I was not surprised at the festival jury’s decision to give the Krakow ensemble’s ‘Other People’ the Grand Prix, and ten young actors, all those appearing in the play, received individual acting awards” (e-teatr.pl).

The beginnings of his theatre career were on stage of the Theatre Academy in Krakow, where he performed in numerous plays, including “Extreme Frequency” by Jakub Zalasa, a play awarded at the 11^th Young Directors’ Forum (ZaiKS Authors’ Association Award, TR Warszawa Debut Award, Polish Stage Artists’ Union Award). Owing to his musical talent and ability to play percussion (he is a graduate of the State Music School in Nowy Targ), he was hired by Krzysztof Jasiński for “Cabaret,” staged at STU Theatre in Krakow, of which Aleksandra Cabaj wrote: “So we can hear some old hits in our own language with some exciting live music to accompany them. The stage combines the fresh youthful energy of students from the Krakow Theatre Academy with the craft and experience of actors from the older generation” (kulturatka.pl). He was also chosen by Ewa Kaim to perform in “Wyspiański: The Concert” at the Słowacki Theatre in Krakow.

Michał Balicki has also made a name for himself on the big screen; he can be seen, for instance, in the award-winning “Hyacinth” by Piotr Domalewski.