Wojtek FREE Staged Reading in ATX

WOJTEK is a deeply moving journey to find home, inspired by the true story of a legendary bear who joined a company of exiled Polish soldiers on a wildly imaginative adventure around the world. Told through life-size puppetry in the tradition of War Horse, and set to the music of Fryderyk Chopin, this unique theatrical experience must be seen to be believed.
WOJTEK is created by Austin native Benjamin Roberts, who grew up performing on Austin stages including ZACH, Zilker, and Impact Arts. Roberts is now based in Tokyo, where he composes and orchestrates music for the theaters and wind ensembles around the world. He has arranged and prepared music for Broadway stars including Brian d'Arcy James, Jessie Mueller, and Ethan Slater, and his work has been performed for notable figures such as former President Joe Biden and the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
This world-premiere staged reading of WOJTEK follows a workshop presented by the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University. Performed script-in-hand, it runs approximately 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. To follow the project’s development, visit wojtekmusical.com and @wojtekmusical.
A NOTE ON CONTENT: WOJTEK is a war story, and deals frankly with the Soviet and Nazi invasions of Poland and their aftermath. Best suited to audiences 10 and older. Families are warmly welcome.
✨ Original New Musical Staged Reading
✨ Lush Classical Score by Fryderyk Chopin
✨ Preview of Life-size Puppetry in the tradition of War Horse
✨ Free Admission
✨ A Celebration of Austin Creativity and Polish Culture
📍 Ground Floor Theatre, Austin, Texas
📅 Dec 23, 2026 (One Night Only)
🕖 Doors 6:30pm, performance 7pm, followed by optional talk-back with creative team
🎟️ Free, reservation required
Admission and the talk-back are free to all. Donations will help fund the first WOJTEK cast recording.
Music by FRYDERYK CHOPIN, adapted by BENJAMIN ROBERTS
Book and Lyrics by BENJAMIN ROBERTS
Director GREGORY ALMANZA
Music Director ELLIE JARRETT SHATTLES
Associate Music Director ERIC POWERS
Puppetry Design by TERESA CARSON
Dramaturg and Stage Manager ADAM SORNAT
Presented in association with JARROTT PRODUCTIONS at GROUND FLOOR THEATRE
Executive Producer DAVID R. JARROTT
Executive Producer WILL GIBSON DOUGLAS
Producer LAURA GALT
Cast to be announced.
HOW TO FIND THE THEATRE
We are located where Springdale and Airport meet, behind Austin Bouldering Project, Bambino, and East Side Paddle Club, just down the hall from Austin Eastciders. You can park in our parking lot, which is accessible on Springdale (enter closest to Airport) drive around the back of the building and look for our big sign. Follow the dotted lines! All paths lead to GFT.
Ground Floor Theatre | 979 Springdale Rd | Suite 122 | Austin, TX 78702
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