Gintaras Varnas was born on September 7, 1961, in Vilnius. In 1993 he graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music (course of Jonas Vaitkus and Rimas Tuminas), in 1997 finished his graduate studies at the Academy. In 1979-1982 Varnas worked as a stage worker, and Assistant Director at the Russian Drama Theatre in Lithuania, in 1984-1986 as a theatre director at an amateur theatre studio, in 1987-1988 – as director’s assistant at the Kaunas State Drama Theatre. In 1989 he founded the “Šėpa” theatre and headed it until 1992. Since 1989 – a freelance director. Varnas has staged performances at the State Youth Theatre, State Small Theatre of Vilnius, National Drama Theatre and Kaunas Drama Theatre, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Latvian National Opera. He has taken many courses abroad and regularly participates of independent projects. From Spring 2004 until December 2007 – Artistic Director of Kaunas State Drama Theatre. At the end of 2007 founded the “Utopia” theatre. In 2000 and 2002 he was awarded the Christopher Prize for Best Direction (“The Distant Land” and “Hedda Gabler”), in 2001 - for the Best Opera Production (“The Queen of Spades”). In 2003 received the Golden Cross of the Stage Award for the Best Opera Production (“Rigoletto”), in 2004 – for Best Direction (“Crime and Punishment,” “The Wasted Land,” and “Lighthouse”). In 2005 Varnas was awarded the Lithuanian National Prize of Culture and Art. Recent works in Lithuanian National Drama Theatre:
Gintaras VARNAS
Director