A New Platform for Artists to Connect and Collaborate – LNDT “Burės”
The Lithuanian National Drama Theater (LNDT), seeking to foster collaboration among artists and create opportunities for theater creative artists to present their work on various stages across the country, invited creators and representatives of state theaters and nongovernmental organizations to explore the “Burės” platform. Held for the first time at the LNDT, the two-day event opened new perspectives and connections for participants and received a great deal of positive feedback.
“It was a very useful event because many interesting artists had an opportunity to introduce themselves – people who, for various reasons, are not well known: some have completed their studies and live abroad, while others have recently started or wanted to present their work in a new field. There was a very informal and friendly atmosphere, with plenty of conversations and networking; not only did producers discover new artists, but these artists also found like-minded peers,” says Kristė Agota Savė, one of the platform’s organizers.
Goda Giedraitytė, director of the Klaipėda State Music Theater, says that the “Burės” project was a positive burst of creative energy: “It was very important that we did not limit ourselves to the field of drama, but also invited representatives from the worlds of circus and music. On the other hand, the showcase was open to everyone: both beginners and those who had already found their path. This allows us to get a sense of what the entire performing arts field is all about and serves as a place for new encounters and emerging opportunities for collaboration. Such a format is essential for keeping the performing arts field vibrant. Therefore, I wholeheartedly congratulate the LNDT for its initiative and leadership.”
Artists, Ideas, and Sketches
First, on 3rd June, individual artist presentations took place. This segment featured directors, playwrights, costume designers, composers, set designers, video and light designers, dancers, circus performers, and screenwriters – a total of 31 creators. There were quite a few people who had completed their studies abroad but wanted to create in Lithuania. Some participants immediately received questions from producers and theater representatives, while others were approached during coffee breaks.
On the second day, 4th June, an idea-presentation session took place. This was an opportunity to discuss a specific creative, early-stage project and to find a creative team or partners to help develop it. In total, as many as 26 creative ideas were presented, either individually or in groups, including puppet theater, a rap opera, interdisciplinary works, new productions based on well-known works, dramaturgical concepts, outlines for productions already in development, and creative research projects.
On both afternoons, participants were invited to move to the LNDT’s Small Stage or Rehearsal Stage, where presentations of sketches for productions already in development took place. There, graduates of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater – Gabrielė Tumaitė, Paulius Juška, the vocal ensemble YRATO, “Brothers and Sisters Saturdays,” “Taigi Cirkas,” “Daltonija,” the ULNA dance troupe, artist Ida Giedraitė, actors Ieva Gribauskaitė and Laura Marija Rinkevičiūtė, director Vaidas Jaruševičius, and artist Severija Bružaitė showcased their artistic projects.
Nearly 30 producers representing various governmental and non-governmental organizations registered to attend the presentations and sketches. Producers seeking partnerships or new artists came from Kaunas City Chamber Theater, “Kosmos Theatre,” “Tolyn gilyn,” The Old Theater of Vilnius, Klaipėda State Music Theater, Klaipėda Drama Theater, Panevėžys Musical Theater, Šiauliai State Drama Theater, The State Small Theater of Vilnius, Marijampolė Drama Theater, State Ensemble “Lietuva,” MMLAB Theater, the public institution “Visagino Atspindys,” “Atviras Ratas” Theater, “Menų Spaustuvė,” Alytus City Theater, and “Low Air.”
Seeing Where the Theater Is Headed
Rusnė Kregždaitė, producer at the Art and Science Lab, is convinced that such a platform is sorely needed: “It is wonderful that “Burės” has become an opportunity to see a highly concentrated overview of the future of the performing arts scene in just a few days. Presentations from more than 30 artists, dozens of new ideas, and over 10 play sketches have allowed us to get a sense of what the Lithuanian theater stage is all about today and where it is headed. It is extremely important to hear from artists returning from abroad or who have recently graduated, but it is no less interesting to discover new ideas from established artists. It is also very valuable that the platform has become a meeting place for artists, theater directors, producers, and managers. Such initiatives strengthen the performing arts ecosystem, foster collaboration, and help new members of the community integrate more quickly into the professional field.”
Anupras Jucius, the new director of the Klaipėda Drama Theater, who attended the event, agreed with Rusnė Kregždaite that this is a good place for artists who have studied abroad to introduce themselves.
“This event provides opportunities for artists to connect with each other and cultural producers. By expanding it, perhaps even organizing it in other cities where we could reach an even wider circle of artists. It would provide opportunities for those who do not have much flexibility to travel to another city. It is also an excellent platform for artists returning from abroad to enter the cultural market and make their first connections,” says Anupras Jucius.
Darius Vizbaras, director of the visual theater “Kosmos Theatre,” who attended the event, also expressed hope for the expansion and growth of “Burės”: “Lithuania sorely lacks platforms dedicated to performing arts professionals that foster collaboration within the sector by bringing together the entire ecosystem: producers, artists, and cultural operators. “Burės” is an excellent initiative aimed at addressing this need. I hope this event will grow, involve even more organizations from both public and independent sectors, and that they will succeed in pooling their resources for sustainable collaboration, thereby creating a more favorable environment for artists of performing arts to generate high cultural value. Perhaps it will even evolve into a cross-sectoral format.”
New Talents
Staff members from the Lithuanian National Drama Theater also participated in the event, surprising everyone with their hidden talents. One such talent was Severija Bružaitė, a Makeup Artist at the LNDT, who presented a sketch for a puppet theater production.
“Burės” is a wonderful phenomenon that helps artists not to compete, but to discover one another and come together for creativity. I am very happy that creative people have the opportunity to introduce themselves and reveal their talents on a broader scale, which may serve the theater well in the future. It is fun to introduce itself to new people, and even more fun to surprise colleagues who usually see me in just one role. I hope that “Burės” will become a beautiful tradition that nurtures the theater community,” says Severija Bružaitė.
“This platform has become an important venue for ULNA Dance Theater to present new creative ideas and test them within the broader performing arts landscape. Such platforms are essential for growing young organizations and individual artists, as they provide not only visibility but also a living space for interaction. Here, we were able to hear how other artists think, get a sense of what the performing arts scene is all about today, and forge new connections and potential collaborations. It seems to me that such intermediate spaces between an idea, the creative process, and the future work are extremely important, as they help not only to present one’s work but also to grow alongside the field. And the professional theater team, along with the attention given to each performance, created a truly pleasant and supportive atmosphere,” says Indrė Puišytė Šidlauskienė, a representative of the ULNA Dance Theater.
It Will Take Place Again Next Year
“We do not doubt that what we are doing is necessary. This should be an annual event where ideas can be presented and find producers that could help implement them. I hope that is how it will be. That is why we named the project “Burės” – it is a place where artists can catch the wind to bring their ideas to life. I believe that alongside the “Versmė” dramaturgy festival organized annually by the Lithuanian National Drama Theater, “Burės” will serve as a platform where both non-governmental organizations and creators can find opportunities to collaborate with state-run performing arts institutions. This has never happened in Lithuania before,” says Martynas Budraitis, General Director of the LNDT and the initiator of this project.
The Lithuanian National Drama Theater plans to organize the “Burės” platform for presenting ideas again next year – in June 2027.