Malmi in the Leading Role 2025-2027

Ryhmä värikkäisiin pukuihin pukeutuneita esiintyjiä seisoo rivissä ulkokattolavalla, ja yleisö istuu vasemmalla. Lavalla on kaupunkikatu, johon on kirjoitettu ZONE MALMI. Taustalla näkyy moderneja rakennuksia.

Our regional arts project Pääroolissa Malmi is coming to Malmi in 2025–2027! The project will create and deliver theatre activities rooted in the local area and community.

Pääroolissa Malmi

In the Pääroolissa Malmi project, Helsinki City Theatre’s regional artists bring theatre and arts activities to Malmi, working together with local residents and organisations. Pääroolissa Malmi explores themes and phenomena emerging from the area through theatre and organises a variety of events, workshops, artistic projects and performances. The project aims to provide local residents with a wide range of opportunities to participate in theatre and the arts, support the area’s own cultural activities and create new forms of urban culture.

The artistic content of Pääroolissa Malmi is inspired by the area’s many voices, and the material is created together with local residents. Interaction between residents and artists lies at the heart of the project. The artists working in the area invite everyone in Malmi to take part in the artistic activities—not only as spectators, but as active contributors.

Pääroolissa Malmi is part of Helsinki City Theatre’s audience engagement work. The project is led by drama instructors Laura Ikonen and Janne Puustinen, musician and sound designer Aleksi Kinnunen, and audience engagement officer Jenny Jumppanen. Pääroolissa Malmi is one of the City of Helsinki’s Helsingin malli projects and is funded by the City of Helsinki.

Further information:
paaroolissamalmi@hkt.fi
+358 40 652 9932 (Jenny Jumppanen, project production)

CURRENT ACTIVITIES:

Kolme ihmistä, joilla on liioitellut kasvonilmeet ja värikäs meikki, poseeraavat tiiviisti yhdessä sisätiloissa, joiden taustalla on keltaiset seinät ja sarjakuvamaiset ikkunakoristeet. Keskimmäisellä henkilöllä on raidallinen pusero ja hän hymyilee leveästi. — Miika Storm Photography

In autumn 2025, we ran neighbourhood-themed theatre and music workshops for kindergartens in Malmi. Using material created in the workshops, we have developed a touring children’s theatre production: Naapurini. The performance will premiere at Malmitalo on 11.9.2026 before touring performance and community venues across Malmi.

We have also organised Taidetta koteihin events in the area. Read more about the Taidetta koteihin concept HERE.

Vaaleanvihreällä pohjalla on yksinkertainen talon ääriviiva, jossa on lihavoitu teksti TAIDETTA KOTEIHIN ja vaaleanpunaisella siveltimenvedolla korostettu pienempi teksti esityksiä olohuoneissa.

Mies auttaa neljää lasta käyttämään lattialla äänimikseriä ja kannettavaa tietokonetta ja opettaa heille musiikin tuottamista. Lapset katsovat tarkasti, ja heidän ympärillään näkyy värikkäitä kaapeleita ja laitteita.

In the project Pääroolissa Malmi, community artists from the Helsinki City Theatre bring theatre and art activities to the Malmi district, working together with local residents and community groups. The project explores themes and phenomena emerging from the area through theatre, and organizes events, workshops, artistic productions, and performances. Its purpose is to offer diverse opportunities for participation in theatre and art, to support local cultural activity, and to create new forms of urban culture.

The content is inspired by Malmi’s diverse community and developed in collaboration with residents. Interaction between artists and locals is at the heart of the project: everyone is invited to participate in the artistic activities—not only as spectators, but also as active contributors.

Pääroolissa Malmi is part of the Helsinki City Theatre’s audience engagement and outreach work. The project is led by drama instructors Laura Ikonen and Janne Puustinen, musician and sound designer Aleksi Kinnunen, and audience engagement operative Jenny Jumppanen. The project is one of the City of Helsinki’s Helsinki Model initiatives and is funded by the City of Helsinki.

Further information:
paaroolissamalmi@hkt.fi
+358 40 652 9932 (Jenny Jumppanen, project production)

CURRENTLY IN THE PROJECT:

In autumn 2025, we ran theatre and music workshops with kindergartens in Malmi. Using the material created in these workshops, we will produce a touring children’s theatre performance called Naapurini (My Neighbour). The performance will premiere on September 11, 2026, at Malmitalo, after which it will go on tour to various performance and community venues in the Malmi area.

We are also organizing Art at Homes events in the area. Read more about the Art at Homes concept HERE.