Jonas VAITKUS

Jonas Vaitkus was born on May 20, 1944, in the Village of Armonai (District of Raseiniai). In 1974 he graduated from the Leningrad State Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography. In 1974-1975 Vaitkus worked as the chief director at the Šiauliai Drama Theatre, 1975-1978 – as a director at the Kaunas Drama Theater. In 1978-1980 studied at the High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors in Moscow. In 1980-1988 – Chief Director at the Kaunas Drama Theatre, since 1988 – a director at the Lithuanian State Academic Drama Theatre, in 1990-1994 – Chief Director. Since 1988 teaches at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre; a Professor. Since 1991 Vaitkus has taught at the United States, Norway, and Denmark. From 2008 – Head of the Lithuanian Russian Drama Theatre. He has directed plays in Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Japan. Theatrical productions of J.Vaitkus have been shown in international festivals in Germany, Russia, Georgia, Scotland, USA, France, Finland, and Sweden.

In 1996 Vaitkus received the Christopher Prize, in 2003 – the National Prize of Culture and Art. In 2006 - the Golden Cross of the Stage Award for his direction of “Ivona, Princess of Burgundy,” in 2007 - for “Patriots”, in 2012 – for “Christmas at the Ivanovs”. During the Soviet period J.Vaitkus’ work was awarded the State Prize of the Soviet Union and the State Prize of Lithuania. In 2007 he received theCross of Officer of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas.

Recent theatre works

Recent works in Lithuanian National Drama Theatre:

The Village of Stepanchikovo, 1998; Fundamentalists, 2011, An Enemy of the People, 2011Undergrowth, 2013.

Jonas VAITKUS
Director