Jan Kochanowski Theatre in Radom

The Jan Kochanowski Public Theater in Radom, established in 1976, plays a significant role in the cultural life of the city. Its history dates back to the 18th century when an amateur theater operated in the building of the Piarist College. The first theater building, adapted from a former church, was constructed in 1809 and underwent a neoclassical renovation in 1820. Throughout the 19th century, Radom’s theatrical life flourished, attracting renowned theater troupes. However, the lack of a permanent stage meeting professional standards limited the development of theater in the city. After Poland regained independence in 1918, new theatrical initiatives emerged, and the first permanent professional stage was the Kielce Voivodeship Theater, established in 1931. A revival also took place after World War II, with the opening of the Stefan Żeromski Theater in 1948. In 1976, thanks to the efforts of local authorities, it gained the status of an independent stage—the Jan Kochanowski Public Theater. Under the direction of Zygmunt Wojdan, the theater inaugurated its activities with the performance "Droga do Czarnolasu" (The Road to Czarnolas). After moving to a new building in 1991, the theater expanded its repertoire to include musicals and classical performances. It became the host of the International Gombrowicz Festival, linked to Witold Gombrowicz's family roots in Radom. In recent years, the theater has further diversified its offerings by opening the Fraszka Puppet Stage and the Kotłownia Stage. The main performance spaces include the Grand Stage with 359 seats and the Chamber Stage, whose seating arrangement can be adapted to the needs of specific productions. Since 2019, the director has been Małgorzata Potocka. The Jan Kochanowski Public Theater not only preserves Radom’s theatrical traditions but also engages in contemporary playwriting and festival organization, bringing regional culture to a broader audience.