Riikka Thitz
Curator
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Helsinki City Theatre's Stage for Contemporary Performance

Helsinki City Theatre’s Stage for Contemporary Performance

Masi Tiitta: Dilemma (2023). In the photo: Kreeta Salminen, Ö p. Photo: Sanna Lehto.

 
 

The Stage for Contemporary Performance, operating in studio Pasila, introduces new forms of performing arts into the programme of the Helsinki City Theatre. The Stage for Contemporary Performance creates unique encounters between established professional theatre and the independent field of performing arts.

The Stage for Contemporary Performance does not represent just one tradition of performing arts but encourages diversity and interdisciplinary dialogue. Contemporary performances take a conscious approach to the history of the art form or forms they represent, examining them from new perspectives. The stage presents art that responds to the changing world through both its content and form. For artists in the independent field of performing arts, the stage offers a larger performance space and broader resources to realise their works. In the local art ecosystem, the stage is a unique space for future art.

The Stage for Contemporary Performance produces a premiere production in the spring season and offers a summer residency and performance season in the autumn for a group selected through an open call. The stage’s programme planning is overseen by curator Riikka Thitz. The open call for the summer residency is conducted together with a visiting curator, who changes annually.

 

Maria Säkö / Helsingin Sanomat, 7.8.2024

 

The Stage for Contemporary Performance was initiated by artists working in the independent field of performing arts. In spring 2019, a working group assembled by Lauri Antti Mattila submitted a proposal to the Helsinki City Theatre, signed by 885 performing arts professionals. The proposal asked the theatre to respond to current changes in society and the performing arts field. During the pilot phase from 2021 to 2023, the stage’s curators were Tuomas Laitinen, Riikka Thitz, and Suvi Tuominen.

In 2024–2025, the Stage for Contemporary Performance is supported by the Kone Foundation.

For more information about the Stage for Contemporary Performance, visit the Helsinki City Theatre home page.