David Sandqvist / David Sandqvist becomes the new artistic director of Lilla Teatern

The Artistic Director of Lilla Teatern is responsible for the planning of the repertoire of the Swedish-language stage of the Helsinki City Theatre and the development of artistic quality. In addition, she participates in the general programme planning of the City Theatre and works as a director on HKT’s stages. The employment contract is fixed-term and valid from 1.8.2026 to 31.7.2029.

“The selection was carried out by invitation. As a rule, we are looking for an interesting director who is well acquainted with the Finnish-Swedish theatre field as the artistic director of Lilla Teatern. David’s directing of Skymning 41 last winter was an artistic success and an important demonstration of good cooperation with Lillan’s staff. It is great to be able to continue the cooperation,” says Theatre Director Kari Arffman.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust and accept the position with a great sense of responsibility. Lilla Teatern has a unique position in the Finnish-Swedish theatre scene, and I look forward to developing Lillan’s artistic profile together with colleagues and audiences. My goal is that Lillan will continue to be a stage where unforgettable performances and thought-provoking stories are at the center,” says director, actor and screenwriter David Sandqvist, who will start as Lilla Teatern’s artistic director in August 2026.

The members of Lilla Teatern’s support association Teaterföreningen Lillan r.f. and the Helsinki City Theatre Actors Association unanimously support the election of David Sandqvist as the new director of Lilla Teatern.

“The association has great confidence in David Sandqvist. He has experience of Lillan and other major Swedish-speaking stages in our country. Sandqvist has shown that he knows the theatre tradition and at the same time has the courage to renew it,” says Leif Jakobsson, chairman of Teaterföreningen Lillan.

“Working with David Sandqvist in the play Skymning 41 was a pleasant and rewarding experience in every way. When I heard that the theatre’s management proposed him as the new artistic director of Lilla Teatern, I received the information with great enthusiasm, as did all my colleagues. David is an intelligent and knowledgeable person with a clear vision of the future of Lilla Teatern,” says Joachim Wigelius, a member of the board of HKT’s Actors Association and an actor who has acted in Lilla Teatern since 1996.

David Sandqvist is a Helsinki-based theatre director who graduated from the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki in 2022. In recent years, he has directed in several different theatres, including Lilla Teatern, Åbo Svenska Teatern, Turku City Theatre and Svenska Teatern. In addition, Sandqvist has worked as an actor, screenwriter and teacher in the theatre and audiovisual industry.

Lilla Teatern was founded in 1940, and since 2005 it has served as the stage for the Helsinki City Theatre on Yrjönkatu in the centre of Helsinki. Lillan has her own artistic director and Swedish as her main stage language. All performances at Lilla Teatern are subtitled in Finnish and Swedish.

Lilla Teatern’s next premiere is The History of Violence, based on the novels by Édouard Louis, which will premiere on 13 November. Saara Turunen’s Hyenans dagar will continue in the programme until the end of the year.

In the photo of the release: David Sandqvist. Photo: Cata Portin.

Further information and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki

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Press release 30.9.2025

David Sandqvist becomes the new artistic director of Lilla Teatern

The Board of Directors of the Helsinki Theatre Foundation has appointed David Sandqvist, Master of Arts in Theatre and Drama, as the artistic director of Lilla Teatern. The second term of office of the current Artistic Director Jakob Höglund will end on 31 July 2026, after which Höglund will move on to other duties.

The Artistic Director of Lilla Teatern is responsible for the planning of the repertoire and the development of the artistic quality of the Swedish-language stage of the Helsinki City Theatre. In addition, they participate in the repertoire planning for the City Theatre and work as a director on the stages of the City Theatre. The position is fixed-term and valid from 1.8.2026 to 31.7.2029.

“The choice was made through an invitation procedure. The starting point was to find an interesting director with a good knowledge of the Finland-Swedish theatre field. David’s direction of Skymning 41 last winter was an artistic success and an important sign of a good collaboration with Lillan’s staff. It is great to be able to continue the cooperation,” says Theatre Director Kari Arffman.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust, and I take on this task with great responsibility. Lilla Teatern has a unique position in the Finland-Swedish theatre field, and it is with enthusiasm that I look forward to developing Lillan’s artistic profile together with my colleagues and audience. My ambition is for Lillan to continue to be a stage where memorable acting performances and thought-provoking stories are at the center,” says director, actor and screenwriter David Sandqvist, who will take over as artistic director in August 2026.

The members of Lilla Teatern’s support association Teaterföreningen Lillan r.f. and the members of the Helsinki City Theatre’s Artists’ Association unanimously support the election of David Sandqvist as the new artistic director.

“The club has great confidence in David Sandqvist. He has experience from Lillan and also from the other big Swedish scenes in our country. Sandqvist has shown that he knows the theatre tradition and at the same time dares to renew it,” says Leif Jakobsson, chairman of the Lillan Theatre Association.

“The collaboration with David Sandqvist in Skymning 41 was a pleasant and rewarding experience in every way. When I heard that the theatre management was proposing him as the new artistic director of Lilla Teatern, I received the news with great enthusiasm – as did all my colleagues. David is an intelligent and skilled person with a clear vision for Lillan’s future,” says Joachim Wigelius, a member of the Helsinki City Theatre Artists’ Association and an actor at Lilla Teatern since 1996.

David Sandqvist is a Helsinki-based theatre director who graduated from the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki in 2022. In recent years, he has directed at several different theatres, including Lilla Teatern, Åbo Svenska Teater, Åbo Stadsteater and Svenska Teatern. Sandqvist has also worked as an actor, scriptwriter and teacher in the theatre and audiovisual industry.

Lilla Teatern was founded in 1940 and has served as the stage of the Helsinki City Theatre on Yrjönkatu in the centre of Helsinki since 2005. Lillan has its own artistic director and Swedish as its main stage language. All performances at Lilla Teatern are subtitled in Finnish and Swedish.

Lilla Teatern’s next premiere is The History of Violence, which is based on Édouard Louis’ novels. It will have its world premiere on November 13. Saara Turunen’s Hyena Days will continue in the repertoire until the end of the year.

Pictured in the press release: David Sandqvist. Photo: Cata Portin.

More information and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Head of Communications, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, First Line 2, 00530 Helsinki