Krakusy: An Historical OverviewTheatrical and dancing ensemble
by Gene Harubin Zygmont
(Based on information supplied by Andrzey Nizynski and Zofia Adamowicz)For over twenty five years, the Krakusy have been delighting audiences throughout California with their vigorous and spirited performances.
The dance troupe evolved from a Little Theatre group, established in the early 1950's by Alicja Kruszewska - Skarbek which attracted young Polish emigres then arriving in Los Angeles, who congregated at Our Lady of the Bright Mount Church. Early casts included Zbigniew Szumanski, Zofia and Wieslaw Adamowicz, Henryka and Kazimierz Cybulski, Zbigniew Kowalski, Dr. Rowinski and director Kazimierz Wnorowski.
As part of their theatrical activity, several of the players organized a folk dancing group in 1956. These pioneers of Krakusy included Zofia and Wieslaw Adamowicz, Henryka and Kazimierz Cybulski, Henryk Jankowski, Krystyna and Emil Janiszewski, Barbara and Tadeusz Sarnecki and Zbigniew Szumanski. Wanda Gwozdziowska, pianist, provided appropriate music for rehearsals. Costumes were copied from authentic Polish regional dress and sewn at home under the direction of Zofia and Zbigniew Szumanski and Nina Wilczynska.
They performed at Polish functions, International Folk Festivals and at colleges and universities throughout Southern California. Soon other new arrivals joined: Maciej Bielski, Ewa and Andrzej Jantczak, Andrzej Walczak, Jadwiga Wielkoszewska. Krystyna Jankowska, a member of the Mazowsze Polish folk dance group and her husband, Henryk, became choreographer and manager of the group.
In 1957, they performed at the Catalina International Folk Dance and Art Festival and the following year participated in a Disneyland holiday parade Christmas in Many Lands.
In 1964, the local Polonia began planning for the Millenium, the 1000 year commemoration of Poland's conversion to Christianity in 966. By then, many of the dancers had young teenage children and, wishing to keep them aware of their Polish culture, expanded the group to embrace this younger generation.
In 1966, at the Millenium ceremonies at the Los Angeles Coliseum, with His Eminence Cardinal McIntyre celebrating Mass and the future Polish American Bishop Thaddeus Shubsda present, the dancers in colorful folk costume, carrying a replica of Poland's famous religious icon, the Black Madonna marched in solemn procession to a background of Polish religious and patriotic music and then formed a living Rosary. The impressive staging by Zbigniew Szumanski brought public accolades to this young Polish contingent.
That same year, during the Christmas holidays, the group staged an impressive pageant, Betlejem Polskie, at the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium. 103 people were in the cast and the overwhelming success of these two ventures made it apparent that the group was ready for bigger and better things.
A year later, Marylka Klimek - George, a leading dancer with the Polish folk dance troupe Slask, arrived in Los Angeles. She joined the ensemble and began to introduce new authentic dance arrangements. With Staszek Danko, a former member of the Polish Mazowsze folk dance troup she choreographed many dances into grand scale spectacular stage presentations. In 1968, she became the dance director of the now renamed Krakusy.
The revitalized Krakusy expanded its repertoire and ranks and began presenting Polish folk dance to a wider segment of the American public. They performed annually at the International Folk Dance Festival in the Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center and worked closely with the Hungarian dance group Karpatok. In 1984, the Krakusy participated in the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Coliseum. They continued to serve as ambassadors of Polish culture in performances throughout the state.
Beginning in 1979, a small group of dancers began attending the Lublin Summer School in Poland, to increase their knowledge of Polish folk dance, culture and traditions. As a result, many prominent Polish folk artists and choreographers came to Los Angeles to work with the Krakusy. This interchange has contributed greatly to the professional execution of dances by young, talented amateurs, most of whom range in age from 10 to 18 years.
Many of the Lublin educated dancers have become leading performers and instructors: Magda Bartak, Basia Frankowska, Jody Golowska, Andrzej Goska, Edzio Kazimierski, Renia Kazimierski. Carol Mackiewicz, Gosia Mudy, Conrad Nizynski, Stefan Perzyna, Ryszard Rybak, Carol Sermak, Jeannette Sermak, Janek Sobanski and Tesa Szulc. This group of dedicated dancers kept the Krakusy tradition alive after Marylka Klimek George left the area to settle in Florida.
Krakusy is managed by a President and Board of Directors, who are responsible for all administration. Board Committee members and parents perform all other duties on a volunteer basis. Only the teaching staff is paid. Parents provide much of the financial resources to cover the cost of important costumes, rehearsal hall, musical equipment, director and instruction staff. They maintain the extensive collection of regional dress that is the mainstay of the Krakusy. Currently, the wardrobe is under the supervision of Iza Frankowski and Basia Kazimerski. Special recognition is due to Zofia and Zbigniew Szumanski who, for over twenty years, created and maintained these priceless costumes.
Presidents who have served as leaders of the Krakusy include: Zofia Adamowicz, Nina Wilczynska, Kazimierz Cybulski, Andrzej Nizynski (11 years), Barbara Jarecka, Bozena Kohlman, Irena Mendenhall, Roman Sobanski, and Mr. Wilczek.
The current Board of Directors consists of: Edward Fitkowski, Chair; Jadwiga Wilson, Vice-Chair; Halina Milunovic, Secretary, Izbella Frankowska, Treasurer; and members Iwona Krowicka, Bogna Szupinska and Anna Zawitkowska.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.