The project of theatre cooperation
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The aim of the project was to create theatre cooperation between the theatres of Kajaani, Joensuu, Oulu and the Petrozavodsk National Theatre.

Main activities

• Organizations of various different meetings, which secured cooperation partnerships • Organizations of workshops (artistic, information, technical and wardrobe, staging and make-up workshops), • Preparations of training play called ” ”Viidakkopoika” (Jungle Boy) jointly between Finnish and Russian students.

Achievements

The project organised various different meetings, which secured cooperation partnerships and helped to gain new professional knowledge about making both Finnish and Russian theatre and with regard to working methods for theatre professionals. The project facilitated internationalisation and, as planned, raised the cooperation between the theatres to a new, concrete level. There was plenty of valuable exchange of reciprocal information and methods. Both similarities and differences were observed in practice. The workshops (artistic, information, technical and wardrobe, staging and make-up workshops), which were the actual implementation forms of the project in practice, helped to create permanent cooperative methods and relationships, as well as learn about Finnish and Russian administrative cultures and models of working. The workshops were altogether successful, and they turned out to be a good combination for training and learning and practising new know-how. A Finnish training play called ”Viidakkopoika” (Jungle Boy) was jointly prepared in the project between Finnish and Russian students. Rehearsals and performances took place in Outokumpu and Petrozavodsk, and the play was performed in Oulu, Kajaani, Outokumpu and Joensuu. The play consisted of several styles of making theatre, and the students were able to complete various study units via the project. The theatres of Kajaani and Oulu visited Petrozavodsk with their own performances. The visit was a success and received nothing but positive feedback. The theatre of Petrozavodsk visited Joensuu and Kajaani in its turn and received a warm welcome. All parties of the project wanted to continue cooperation. Cooperation has continued afterwards with the project "Development of cross-border activities in dance and theatre".