ROMAN ŠOLC (*1976)
Currently one of the most sought-after theatrical costume designers. He makes perfect use of his knowledge of dance costumes; he creates costumes for ballet productions of most Czech Theatres although the focal point of his artistic work currently lies in musical productions. He was born in Poděbrady. In 1995 he graduated from the Dance Conservatory in Prague. He was a member of the ballet ensemble of the National Theatre in Prague from 2001 to 2004. As a dancer, he was awarded the 2nd prize in the Competition of dance artists of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Brno (1997) and got nominated for the prestigious Thalia Award in 1996 for his performance in the role of Mercutio. He made a smooth transition from his successful dancing career into the field of costume design in which he has been active since 1998.
He created his first costume designs for the Prague Chamber Ballet: Frescos (1998), Slavic Duets (1999), From the Motherland (1999), Hiroshima (2000), Maria’s Dream (2002). He also created costumes for the following ballet productions of the National Theatre in Brno: Mary Stuart (1998), Oedipus Rex (2000), Ivan the Terrible (2002), Ballet evening with music of Czech composers (2004), Total Eclipse (2005), Sonata, Bolero, The Rite of Spring (2006), Giselle. For the Theatre of J. K. Tyl in Pilsen: The Lady of the Camellias (2001), Someone Likes it Hot (2003), Countess Bathory (2008). For Laterna Magika: Graffiti (2002). For the National Theatre in Prague: Les Bras de Mer (2004), Ibbur (2005), Mozart? Mozart! (2006). For the State Opera in Prague: The Lady of the Camellias (2003), Cinderella (2004), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2006).
His recent works include Romeo and Juliet for the National Theatre in Prague or an impressive adaptation of Valmont by Libor Vaculík. He also cooperated with Vaculík in original ballet productions such as Freddie – The King of Queen, Somebody Likes it … and Anna Karenina. He designed period style costumes for Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and an extravagant production of Rusalka for the Moravian Theatre in Olomouc. The King’s Speech and the Christmas Carol with Karel Roden are examples of his works for the dramatic theatre, and Eugene Onegin and Don Giovanni for the opera. His designs found perfect use in many musical productions: Cleopatra (2012), The Three Musketeers (2004), Golem (2006), Angelica (2007), Dracula, Mona Lisa (2009), Baron Münchhausen, Robin Hood, Hello Dolly! (2010), Adam and Eve, Cabaret, Mata Hari. The London makers of the Phantom of the Opera musical chose him as the ideal designer for the Czech première of their legendary musical (2014). This year he designed costumes for another Czech première of a big international production Mamma Mia.
His cooperation with the film industry includes, for example, the costumes for the film Guard No. 47 by Filip Renč.