Igor Ciel

Igor Ciel (13 April 1931 – 4 July 2010) was a Slovak film and theatre director, screenwriter, and actor.

Life and career Early life Ciel was born in Rožňava, but lived and studied in Brezno since childhood. While at grammar school, he attended the theatre club of Janko Chalupka, where he first found his interest in theatre. His mother was an actress in amateur theatre and tried to help him during his early years.

Theatre His interest in theatre prompted Ciel to apply to the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU), where he wanted to study theatre directing. However, he was not accepted and instead took science and theatre aesthetics at Comenius University in Bratislava. After graduating, he again applied for the same course at VŠMU and was finally accepted. Acting lessons were taught by Andrej Bagar, while he received directing lessons from Jozef Budský. He gained attention by directing the play Tanková loď by Herb Tank. Due to the recommendations of his professors, he later went to study at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts in Moscow (GITIS). He returned to Czechoslovakia in 1955 and completed his studies. Following this, he became a radio announcer. He started directing plays in Zvolen (1955–1959) and later in Nitra (1960–1966). After leaving Nitra in 1966, he started working as a director at the Czechoslovak Television in Bratislava.