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From September 23 to October 5, the 10th International Youth Theatre Festival “Išeities taškas” (Starting Point) will take place at the Kaunas City Chamber Theatre. What began a decade ago as a small meeting between young creators and their audience has today grown into a platform that brings together artists from various fields, theatre professionals, and young people seeking authentic, living art that speaks about them—their experiences, their courage to grow and change. This year’s program is especially broad: audiences can expect performances, sketch presentations, creative workshops, slam poetry events, and a closing concert.

The beginning of the festival – an invitation to dream boldly

“Ten years ago, there was no theatre in Kaunas dedicated to teenagers and young people, even though there was no shortage of young creators in the city. Encouraging young artists to create for their peers and listening to young audiences—that was the initial impulse behind the festival,” recalls Kaunas City Chamber Theatre director Jurga Knyvienė.

The festival opens on September 23 with the contemporary circus performance “Icarus” by artist Džiugas Kunsmanas, aimed at children aged 10 and older. Based on an ancient myth, the work explores humanity’s attempt to achieve the impossible and recalls early attempts at flight. Having won last year’s sketch competition, “Icarus” returns to the stage to fully unfold its wings.

Sketch competition – a space for ideas to grow

On September 24–25, the sketch competition will present four works that address the paradoxes of our time, social conflict, and emotional vulnerability.

• “Monstera” (dir. Orestas Razumas) explores ecology through the metaphor of a plant, questioning what a healthy ecosystem truly is.
• “A Whale on the Shore” (dir. Aistė Rekašiūtė) tells the story of a generation growing up between the ideals of independence and Soviet emotional heritage.
• “This Child” (dir. Aivaras Micius) explores generational conflict and cycles of social and emotional issues.
• “Playground Wounds” (dir. Vaidas Jaruševičius) uses humor to address the scars left by long-term relationships and the complex process of healing.

“The sketch competition is always a surprise for me—it’s fascinating to see how young creators’ ideas, first written on paper, come alive on stage. The festival is also special because it has become a real starting point for many young artists. Many who began here now work in major Lithuanian theatres and have received awards. So it is a strong platform opening the path to professional theatre,” says curator Indrė Brasevičiūtė.

International experiments – light and the body

As every year, part of the program features international guests.

On September 26, the Czech company “Musaši Entertainment Company” will present the experimental puppet performance “Essay on Light,” an audiovisual essay on technology and the role of light in human life, from primitive fire to fiber optics.

On October 4–5, audiences will see “Objectravelling” by Mara Ingea, a multidisciplinary performance that combines object manipulation, site exploration, and creative perspective, with political, poetic, and social themes.

For youth – a mirror of reality on stage

“The name ‘Starting Point’ marks a beginning—for young audiences encountering theatre that is no longer childish but still searching for identity, and for young artists taking their first steps toward professional stages,” notes theatre director Jurga Knyvienė.

On September 27–28, “Peter Pan” (dir. Karolis Zajauskas) will be shown—a fairy tale for adults about time and fragile love. The idea for this performance won the sketch competition in 2023.

This reflection continues with “Almost Happy” (dir. Justas Tertelis), based on Jurgis Kunčinas’ novel “Tūla,” exploring youthful love and self-discovery.

On October 1, the dance performance “Match 3” (chor. Vilma Pitrinaitė) explores human–machine interaction through the Turing test.

On October 2, “Quietly Quietly” (dir. Ieva Tamoševičiūtė) addresses silence as emotional crisis, mental health, and the desire to be heard. That same evening, KTU theatre studio “44” presents “The One-Armed Man from Spokane.”

On October 3, LMTA students present “The Widows,” and on October 4, “Broken Heart Story,” a feminist and absurdly sincere performance.

Creative workshops: word – stage – connection

Workshops include stand-up comedy with Evaldas Jasaitis (Sept 27), improvisational rap with Pijus Opera (Sept 29), and a slam poetry event at Kaunas Artists’ House (Sept 30).

“These workshops are part of our effort to expand theatre boundaries and integrate contemporary forms of expression,” says education program curator Erika Viselgė.

Festival closing concert

On October 5, the festival will close with an audiovisual concert by lazy diamond’s underground, presenting their second album “Lingua.” The album is described as a journey through cultures and times, unified by atmospheric music and the idea of humanity made of carbon.

The festival is organized by Kaunas City Chamber Theatre and funded by the Kaunas City Municipality and the Lithuanian Council for Culture. It takes place across various venues in Kaunas.

Programme, tickets, and registration for free events: iseitiestaskas.lt