From stories to theatre – activities for older adults

In autumn 2023, Helsinki City Theatre’s audience engagement programme launched Tarinasta teatteriksi, an initiative for older people that brings participants together through stories. The initiative will continue in the 2026–2027 season. Tarinasta teatteriksi uses playback theatre to foster meaningful encounters. Playback theatre is a form of improvisational theatre in which participants’ experiences and stories are brought to the stage as short performances.

Groups meeting weekly at senior centres across Helsinki began practising playback theatre in autumn 2023. The initiative has now been running for three years, and the original closed groups have evolved into a performing ensemble whose participants work as playback theatre actors under the guidance of professionals. The initiative has expanded into a performance tour, and in autumn 2026 the ensemble will once again perform at venues across Helsinki.

Tarinasta teatteriksi is led by Laura Ikonen and Reetta Kankare, with Heli Lyytikäinen as the playback theatre musician.

Further information:

Reetta Kankare, reetta.kankare@hkt.fi, tel. 050 4344 930.

Tarinasta teatteriksi is part of Aika loistaa, an audience engagement project by Helsinki City Theatre that brings participatory arts into the everyday lives of older people in Helsinki. The project creates opportunities for people to connect through art in a variety of ways. The project is funded by the City of Helsinki.