The program for this year’s Performing HEL has been released!

This year’s showcase will introduce a thrilling array of performances presenting the finest Finnish dance, circus, and theatre. The newly published program for 2023 features 20 Finnish artists and groups selected by the jury from 155 entries. 

The jury consisted of Finnish and international performing arts professionals: Eva Neklyaeva (Independent curator), Lotta Nevalainen & Riitta Aittokallio (Circus & Dance Info Finland) and Vigdís Jakobsdóttir (Reykjavik Arts Festival). 

The selected works, 10 pitches, 6 demos and 4 performances, will offer an intriguing look at the current trends and innovations of Finnish performing arts.  

Being held for the fourth time, Performing HEL showcase is aimed at international and Finnish programmers and theatre and festival directors to experience the latest works of Finnish circus, dance and theatre. 

Performing HEL 2023 will turn the spotlight on individual artists and companies at different stages of their careers. The multi-disciplinary program consists of interesting works from work-in-progress pitches to a wide range of performances that are already touring internationally. 

Learn about the program HERE!

Registration for the on-site and online participants of the 2023’s Performing HEL showcase started on March 15th. Register here for the showcase →

This year’s showcase will be hybrid. Participants will have a chance to attend the showcase on-site in Helsinki as well as online. The online program will be limited. 

The artists of the 2023 Performing HEL program:

PITCH

TSC (Tero Saarinen Company) & TTT (Tampereen Työväen Teatteri): Macbeth
Mikko Niemistö: Wakey-wakey
Milla Koistinen: Breathe
Sinna Virtanen: Asphodel Meadows
Saara Turunen / Turunen Company: Room Trilogy by Saara Turunen: The Phantom of Normality, Medusa’s Room & The Grapes of Reason
Tellervo Kalleinen, Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, Ami Karvonen / Espoo City Theatre: BIASED
Play Rape Working Group: Play Rape
Lumo Company: Fineline
Hands some Feet: Colorsphere
Nuua Company: Meanwhile

DEMO

Recover Laboratory: <3 (Smaller than three)
Milla Jarko: Tiikeri
Risa: GLG
Teemu Mäki & Maija Nurmio: Éliane
Viirus: Whizz, Whirr, Bang, Clang
Wauhaus: sky every day (in collaboration with Espoo City Theatre)

PERFORMANCE

Tiia Kasurinen: ONSTAGE (in collaboration with Helsinki Festival)
Tuomo Rämö: Two Phone Calls (in collaboration with Helsinki Festival)
Company Portmanteau: Perto
Sonya Lindfors: Something like this (in collaboration with Zodiak)

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Performing HEL is organized by Circus & Dance Info Finland and Theatre Info Finland in collaboration with Helsinki Festival, The International Theatre of Espoo, Finnish National Theatre and Svenska Teatern.

Performing HEL 2023 is supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.