Schooler

One-act performance for teenagers (Age limit: 14+)

Rūtos salė

May 14th & 15th

Director: Augustas Gornatkevičius

Set designer: Simona Davlidovičiūtė

Dramaturgy: Domas Raibys

Projection designer: Kristijonas Dirsė

Composer: Marija Paškevičiūtė

Movement director: Gintarė Šmigelskytė

Actors: Mantas Bendžius, Saulė Sakalauskaitė, Marius Karolis Gotbergas, Pijus Narijauskas, Goda Petkutė, Greta Šepliakovaitė

The performance for teenagers “Schooler” was inspired by the 1985 American cult film “The Breakfast Club”. Director Augustas Gornatkevičius, the creative team, and the National Kaunas Drama Theatre’s young actors created an original version where five teenagers try to find answers to their questions. Who am I? What is the meaning of life? Usually, it is hard even for adults to find the answers. Teenagers have more time and willingness to dig deeper; however, this desire is often suppressed – “you’ll grow up and see”, “stay in your shoes”, “be the person we want to see you as”. The performance delves into the world of adolescents and attempts to challenge prevailing stereotypes. The media and society often portray teenagers in a biased way, imposing stereotypes or behavioural patterns on them: geek, beauty, athlete, artist, etc. “Who I truly am?” the characters of the performance ask – five teenagers trapped in the school’s basement – trying to free themselves from the pressure of parents, teachers and society and to throw off the masks that have been put on them.

School – purgatory – rules… Is it a place where we learn, a place where our sinful souls are purged, a place where you have to follow certain rules and where you will be prepared for life? The school’s basement becomes a surreal place where dreams, authorities, characters from childhood tales and read books wander all around.