Kaunas State Drama Theatre

The Kaunas State Drama Theatre is the biggest theatre in Kaunas, and one of the oldest functioning theatres in Lithuania.

History

)]] Its beginnings date to the 1920s, when the Lithuanian Artists' Association established drama and opera playhouses. The first play performed by the Kaunas Drama Theatre was Hermann Sudermann's St. John's Day, directed by Juozas Vaičkus, premiering on December 19, 1920 in the former Russian City Theatre, in what is now the Kaunas State Musical Theatre. The company was the only professional theatre organization in Lithuania until 1931, when its branch opened in Šiauliai.

Dramas shared the house with opera, and in 1925 they were joined by ballet. At that time the theatre was renamed "State Theatre". Most of the actors initially came from Juozas Vaičkus' Flying Theatre, founded in 1918 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

After some reforms, Konstantinas Glinskis became its new manager. In 1926 he was forced out by the new manager, Antanas Sutkus, along with many other actors. Sutkus brought in actors from the defunct Vilkolakis and Tautos theatres.

In 1928 Sutkus was replaced by Jurgis Savickis, who in 1929 invited Andrius Oleka-Žilinskas from the Moscow Art Theatre. Oleka-Žilinskas sought to improve performances using the methods of Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, and as part of this goal, he invited the renowned Mikhail Chekhov to join the theater. Together they trained young actors and established The Young Theatre; although their work was acclaimed by critics, the broader public showed little appreciation. Later Oleka-Žilinskas was forced to leave the theatre.

Between 1935 and 1940 the theatre's ranks were reinforced by young people coming from the The Young Theatre and the Experimental Theatre Acting Studio.

The Kaunas State Theatre was constantly delivering talents to other newly established theatres: the Šiauliai Theatre, the Youth Theatre, the Young Viewers’ Theatre, and later, after Lithuania regained control of Vilnius, the Vilnius State Theatre.

In 1940, when Lithuania was annexed by the Soviet Union, the theatre was forced to implement the socialist understanding of art, and were forced to praise the new regime. During the Nazi occupation of Lithuania, demands for praise of that regime were also made.

Soviet times

After the second Soviet occupation, socialist realism was enforced. In 1947 a group of Lithuanian students went to GITS, (now known as the Russian Theatre Academy), and when they returned after graduating in 1952, a new era began at the theatre. In 1959 the organization was merged with the Kaunas Young Viewer’s Theatre and moved to its present location at Laisvės alėja 71.

Independence days

Notable actors

  • Konstantinas Glinskis
  • Rūta Staliliūnaitė
  • Ona Jonaitytė
  • Algirdas Masiulis
  • Juozas Budraitis
  • Vytautas Girgolis
  • Viktoras Šinkariukas
  • Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė

Notable directors

  • Konstantinas Glinskis
  • Borisas Dauguvietis
  • Andrius Oleka-Žilinskas
  • Henrikas Vancevičius
  • Henrikas Vancevičius
  • Jonas Jurašas
  • Jonas Vaitkus
  • Eimuntas Nekrošius
  • Stasys Motiejūnas

Notable scenographs

  • Mstislav Dobuzhinsky
  • Liudas Truikys

Notable plays

  • Barbora Radvilaitė by Juozas Grušas
  • Herkus Mantas by Juozas Grušas
  • Baltaragis’s Mill
  • The Pilgrim of Dreams
  • Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry
  • Thrush, the Green Bird

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Vaiva
27 December 2015
High quality performances. Love it. They have not only plays, but also music and other events.
Arturs Krūzkops
16 April 2023
Paldies! Great!
Kes B
11 October 2010
http://www.dramosteatras.lt/
Silvano M
16 November 2014
Savanoriai rūbinėje labai mandagūs ir labai greitai dirba. Didžiojoje salėje neįgalieji gali sėdėti tik paskutinėje eilėje.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.3/10
12,317 people have been here
Map
Laisvės alėja 71, Kaunas 44304, Lithuania Get directions
Thu-Fri 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM–9:00 PM
Sun 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Mon Noon–1:00 PM
Tue 1:00 PM–2:00 PM

National Kaunas Drama Theatre on Foursquare

Kaunas State Drama Theatre on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Hof Hotel

starting $59

Kaunas

starting $81

Park Inn by Radisson Kaunas

starting $94

Hotel Metropolis

starting $35

Best Western Santakos Hotel

starting $82

Guest House LT

starting $41

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kaunas State Puppet Theatre

Kaunas State Puppet Theatre

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kaunas State Musical Theatre

The Kaunas State Musical Theatre is a musical theatre in Kaunas,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Vytautas the Great War Museum

The Vytautas the Great War Museum (Lithuanian: Vytauto Didžiojo karo

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kaunas State Philharmonic

Kaunas State Philharmonic (Lithuanian: Kauno valstybinė filharmonija)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kaunas

St. Michael the Archangel's Church or the Garrison Church (lietuvių.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Historical Presidential Palace, Kaunas

The Historical Presidential Palace (lietuvių. Istorinė P

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Holy Cross Church, Kaunas

Holy Cross Church, Kaunas (Lithuanian: Šv. Kryžiaus (Karmelitų) ba

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
House of Perkūnas

House of Perkūnas in Kaunas is one of the most original and archaic

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pantages Theatre (Hollywood)

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre, formerly known as RKO Pantages

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Gershwin Theatre

The Gershwin Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 222 West 51st

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Royal National Theatre

The Royal National Theatre (generally known as the National Theatre)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Theatro da Paz

The Theatro Nossa Senhora da Paz theater, or simply Theatro da Paz

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Teatro Guaíra

The Teatro Guaíra Cultural Centre is a state-run cultural

See all similar places