Osonó Theatre Group: Behind the Scenes

Over the past few months, this team of journalists has conducted dozens of interviews with former student actors from the Osonó theatre group. They have also consulted theatre and mental health professionals in order to gain a better understanding of the broader context of their findings.

This investigation reveals how Misi Fazakas created a system — initially in Romania, then in Hungary — that exploited theatrical pedagogy to target underage and young people, causing lasting psychological harm to many of them. Some of these victims later became abusers themselves — further details will be shared in future reports. However, it is important to note that many former students remain grateful for the acting skills they gained through the group.

This work provides professionals involved in Hungarian theatre education in Romania with an opportunity to address these issues and contribute to the development of a safer and more ethical environment for children in the arts. It also initiates a broader discussion about the prevalence of abuse in theatre, and the reasons why certain forms of violence are tolerated in many environments.

Illustration: Benedek Levente