She has been a permanent member of the ensemble there since the 23/24 season. Gökçen was awarded as “Best Young Actor” for her role as Clarice in “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni.
“The Vienna Volkstheater was just missing Irem Gökçen. This should be taken literally, because the actress, who trained in Istanbul and Graz, already has half a dozen roles under her belt at the company, even though she has only been a permanent member of the ensemble for one season. As the Venetian merchant’s daughter Clarice in Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters”, she manages to transform her comedic-dancing energy into relentless fury when the patriarchy’s wake-up call shows her its true colors. Good-faith joy turns into frenzied protest against the relativists of femicide from her relatives. Proof: Gökçen can do volcano.” – Jury member Margarete Affenzeller
In addition to Irem Gökçen, another KUG graduate, Christoph Luser, received a “Nestroy”. The castle actor was awarded the “Best Performance in a Supporting Role” for his dual role as Everyone’s Good Companion/Devil in Salzburg’s “Everyman”.
**How do you believe your respective roles in “The Servant of Two Masters” and “Everyman” contribute to contemporary conversations about gender dynamics and societal norms in Austria?**
## World Today News Exclusive Interview:
**Celebrating Rising Stars: A Conversation with Irem Gökçen and Christoph Luser**
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News! We are thrilled to be joined by two exceptional talents who have recently received the prestigious Nestroy Award, recognizing excellence in Austrian theater: the gifted Irem Gökçen, awarded “Best Young Actor” for her stirring performance in “The Servant of Two Masters,” and Christoph Luser, recognized for ”Best Performance in a Supporting Role” for his captivating dual role in “Everyman.”
**Section 1: The Nestroy Honor and its Significance**
* **Interviewer:**
Congratulations on your well-deserved Nestroy Awards! What does this recognition mean to each of you personally and professionally?
* **Irem Gökçen:**
* **Christoph Luser:**
* **Interviewer:**
How do you feel these awards contribute to the broader Austrian theater landscape, especially for emerging actors?
**Section 2: Exploring the Power of Performance**
* **Interviewer:**
Irem, your performance as Clarice has been lauded for its incredible dynamism, transitioning from comedy to sheer fury. Talk us through your process of embodying such contrasting emotions within a single role.
* **Irem Gökçen:**
* **Interviewer:**
Christoph, your portrayal of the dual roles in “Everyman” demands impressive versatility. How do you approach building distinct characters within a single performance?
* **Christoph Luser:**
* **Interviewer:**
How important is it for theater to address social issues like femicide, as seen in “The Servant of Two Masters”? What impact do you hope to have on the audience?
* **Irem Gökçen:**
**Section 3: Charting Career Paths and Future Aspirations**
* **Interviewer:**
Irem, your journey began in Istanbul, brought you to Graz, and now sees you thriving on the renowned Vienna Volkstheater stage. Can you share your personal journey and the experiences that have shaped you as an artist?
* **Irem Gökçen:**
* **Interviewer:**
Christoph, your career has seen you tread the boards at the Salzburg Festival. How has your experience in such a prestigious venue influenced your approach to acting?
* **Christoph Luser:**
* **Interviewer:**
What are your ambitions for the future? What kind of roles and projects are you eager to explore?
* **Irem Gökçen:**
* **Christoph Luser:**
**Conclusion:**
* **Interviewer:**
Thank you, Irem and Christoph, for such insightful and inspiring conversation. We wish you both continued success and look forward to witnessing your future contributions to the world of theater.
This interview structure Utilizes open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses and explore the nuances of the Nestroy Award winners’ experiences and perspectives. It delves into their creative processes, the social relevance of their chosen roles, and their aspirations for the future. The interview aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging portrait of these talented individuals while highlighting the importance of theater as a platform for artistic expression and meaningful dialogues.
