drammatica
Theatre Director & Designer Couple
Tiina Puumalainen
Tiina Puumalainen is a Finnish theatre director and a playwright.
She studied directing in the Finnish Theatre Academy and has worked in several major Finnish theatres:
The Finnish National Theater, The Finnish National Opera, City Theatres of Helsinki, Turku, Lahti, Oulu, and Seinäjoki, TTT, The Tampere Theatre, Linnateatteri etc along with several independent groups directing both classical and contemporary drama, musical theatre & opera, dance and puppetry productions.
Her career (so far in 2022) adds up to over 30 years of experience in the theatre business, directing for all kinds of companies, from monologues to the biggest stage productions.
Tiina has also written an opera libretto, some plays and jukebox-musicals and several stage adaptations for Finnish theatres.
Tiina loves visual & choreographical theatre. Her way of bringing classics like Carmen, The Wolf's Bride and The Blood Wedding to the stage often combines dance to the drama.
Tiina is married to scenographer Teppo Järvinen. Their extended family lives in the Rauhalinna manor, a historical house with space for pre-productional work. Tiina’s secret passions include tsundoku (but also reading), and gardening. She loves to make miniatures and likes to take part to the stage set model work.
You are welcome to follow Tiina’s photo stream in Instagram at tiinapuumalainen and life in the manor at rauhalinna1850.
Tiina's CV
Tiina Puumalainen
Born in 1966
Education:
Theatre Academy Helsinki
MA (1999), Theatre and Drama / Directing
Awards:
The Order of the Lion of Finland, 2009: Knight, First Class
As a Director / additional credits mentioned
2024, productions beginning from the latest
Puumalainen & Suutela: Kurjet • The Cranes (drama)
The Finnish National Theatre 2024
additional credits:
- Original script by Tiina Puumalainen with Hanna Suutela
- Video Design in cooperation with Teppo Järvinen
Doyle & Puumalainen: Sherlock Holmes ja murhan punainen lanka • Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Thread of Murder (drama)
Hämeenlinna Theatre 2023
additional credits:
- Original script by Tiina Puumalainen inspired by the works of Arthur Conan Doyle
- Video Design in cooperation with Teppo Järvinen
Menken, Slater, Steinkellner: Nunnia ja konnia • Sister Act (musical)
Vaasa City Theatre 2023
Shakespeare & Puumalainen: Lear (drama & dance)
The Finnish National Theatre 2023
additional credits:
- Adaptation and Translation
- Costume and Video Design in cooperation with Teppo Järvinen
Strindberg & Puumalainen: Kuolemantanssi • The Dance of Death (dance & drama)
TTT 2022
additional credits:
- Adaptation and Translation
- Costume and Video Design in cooperation with Teppo Järvinen
McCarten: Kaksi paavia • Two Popes (drama)
Turku City Theatre & TTT 2021
additional credits:
- Translation
Aalto - Don’t Forget to Play! (postdramatic performance)
TTT 2020
additional credits:
- Writer / Script editor
Sophocles: Antigone (drama)
TTT 2019
additional credits:
- Adaptation
- Mask, Costume and Puppetry Design in cooperation with Teppo Järvinen
Shakespeare: Myrsky • The Tempest (drama)
additional credits:
- Adaptation
- Costume and Puppetry Design in cooperation with Teppo Järvinen
TTT 2019
Lloyd Webber - Hart - Stilgoe: The Phantom Of The Opera (musical)
Finnish National Opera 2018
Jennifer Haley: The Nether (drama)
additional credits - translation
TTT 2018
Lloyd Webber - Hart - Stilgoe: The Phantom Of The Opera (musical)
GöteborgsOperan 2017
Kander - Ebb - Masteroff: Cabaret (musical)
TTT 2016
Lloyd Webber - Hart - Stilgoe: The Phantom Of The Opera (musical) Finnish National Opera 2015
Lloyd Webber - Rice: Evita (musical)
TTT 2014
Suutari-Jaasko & Haapalainen: Double (dance)
Kuopio Dance Festival 2013
Mérimée - Puumalainen: Carmen (drama/dance)
additional credits: script
TTT 2013
Reinvere - Oksanen: Puhdistus • Purge (opera)
Finnish National Opera 2012
Borgeson, Long & Singer: Shakespearen kootut teokset • The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (comedy)
additional credits: translation
Linnateatteri 2011
Puumalainen - Teppo: Työttömän laulu • The Song of the Unemployed (comedy)
additional credits: script
Alexander's Theatre Helsinki 2011
Mika Waltari: Gabriel, tule takaisin! • Come back, Gabriel! (drama/comedy)
TTT 2011
Ingmar Bergman: Fanny & Alexander (drama)
TTT 2010
Kander - Ebb - Fosse: Chicago (musical)
TTT 2010
Nopola - Puumalainen: Likka, Elämä ja Teot • The Life and Times of Likka (drama/comedy)
Kajaani Poetry Festival 2009
Juba: Viivi ja Wagner Teneriffalla • Viivi and Wagner visit Teneriffa (comedy)
Helsinki City Theatre 2009
Maria Jotuni: Kultainen vasikka • The Golden Calf (drama)
TTT 2008
Holder - Herring - Eclaire: Akkapakka • Grumpy Old Women (comedy)
additional credits: translation
Alexander's Theatre Helsinki 2008
Kahilainen-Vihinen: Kalliolle, kukkulalle • On a Rock, On a Hill (drama/comedy)
Pyynikin kesäteatteri 2008
Puumalainen - MedAndraOrd: Reverie (new circus),
additional credits: script
Alexander's Theatre Helsinki 2007
The Eurovision Song Contest Semifinal Opening Act,
additional credits: script
YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company) / EBU 2007
Alistair Beaton: Takapirut • Feelgood (satire)
TTT 2006
Hecht - MacArthur: Etusivun juttu • The Front Page (drama/comedy)
additional credits: translation
The Tampere Theatre 2006
Suutari-Jaasko & Haapalainen: Latin Quarter (dance),
Savoy Theatre Helsinki 2006
Juba: Viivi & Wagner (comedy)
Helsinki City Theatre 2006
Several writers: Kertakäyttötavara • Disposables (cabaret)
additional credits: script editor
Alexander's Theatre Helsinki 2006
Yazmina Reza: ”Taide”• ”Art” (drama)
Linnateatteri 2005
Puumalainen - Syrjä: Linnunradan laidalla • By The Milky Way (musical)
additional credits: script
Peacock Theatre Helsinki 2005
Tiina Puumalainen: Saapasjalkakissa • Puss in Boots (drama/comedy for the kids)
additional credits: script
Theatre 2000 2005
Shaw - Lerner - Loewe: My Fair Lady, (musical)
Heinolan kesäteatteri 2004
Lucas Bärfuss: Vanhempiemme Seksuaalineuroosit • The Sexual Neurosis of Our Parents (drama)
Tampereen teatteri 2004
Borgeson - Long - Singer: Piplia • The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) (comedy)
TTT 2004
Rodgers - Hammerstein: Oklahoma! (musical)
additional credits: translation
Samppalinnan kesäteatteri 2003
Ashman - Menken: Pieni Kauhukauppa • Little Shop of Horrors (musical) 2002
Turku City Theatre
Stone-Style-Merrill: Sugar (musical)
additional credits: translation
Samppalinnan kesäteatteri 2002
Eeva-Liisa Manner: Poltettu oranssi • Burnt Orange (drama)
Finnish National Theatre 2002
UIT revue, annual cabaret show
Peacock Helsinki 2002-2005
DiPietro - Roberts: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, (musical)
Helsinki City Theatre 2001
Stein - Bock: Spelman på Taket • Fiddler on the Roof (musical)
Åbo Svenska Teater 2001
Theresia Walser: King Kongin tyttäret • King Kong's Daughters (drama)
Finnish National Theatre 2001
Michael Cooney: Puhtaana käteen • Cash on Delivery (comedy)
additional credits: translation
Seinäjoki City Theatre 2000
Tuuri - Almila: Isontaloon Antti (opera),
Ilmajoki Opera 2000 and 2001
Ashman - Menken: Pieni Kauhukauppa • Little Shop of Horrors (musical)
additional credits: translation (song lyrics)
Seinäjoki City Theatre 2000
Robin Hawdon: Täydelliset häät • The Perfect Wedding (comedy)
Seinäjoki City Theatre 1999
Eduard Uspenski: Fedja-setä ja Täti Tamara • Uncle Fedya and Aunt Tamara (musical for the kids)
additional credits: adaptation from the novel, song lyrics
Oulu City Theatre 1999
Tiina Puumalainen: Mustan Ruusun Tango • Black Rose (musical)
additional credits: script
Seinäjoki City Theatre 1999
Tiina Puumalainen: Surullinen kuu • Blue Moon (drama)
additional credits: script
Seinäjoki City Theatre 1999
Steve Martin: Picasso ja Villin Kanin Kapakka • Picasso at the Lapin Agile (comedy)
additional credits: translation
The Tampere Theatre 1998
Martin McDonagh: Lännen syrjällä • The Lonesome West (drama)
Finnish National Theatre 1998
David Pownall: Mestariluokka • Master Class (drama)
Seinäjoki City Theatre 1997
Theatre Academy 1995-1999
MA, Directing
Early years:
Tiina started her theatre career before her studies in the Theatre Academy (1995-1999) as an assistant director in 1986. She took all odd jobs of the theatre she could find, studied puppetry, directed children and young people in several community programs, worked with small theatre groups and amateur companies & independent theatre groups and had a bunch of litterature, history and drama courses in the University of Turku.
Dance
Tiina Puumalainen:
“Directing a play often begins with words: reading a play or a book. And I love reading. But our work happens on stage, and for me that means that - in addition to what is written to the lines - we have to find the story behind the words and create a visual way to show it to the audience.
I’m often fascinated by stories with characters who can not speak for themselves. Or stories with elements that words don’t cover: emotions, dreams and connections that cannot be explained… and sometimes the best way - or the only way - to share them with the audience is music and dance.
I’ve made stage adaptations of several classics like Blood Wedding, Carmen and The Wolf’s Bride combining drama and choreography in the storytelling. In these productions dancing seemed to be the natural language for Bride, Carmen and Aalo, and also the only way to express or share their passions. “
ABOUT THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE
Beginning from the TOP:
Rehearsal Photo © Matti Kivekäs:
Veren häät The Blood wedding
Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö (Bride) and Jukka Haapalainen (Leonardo) & Osku Heiskanen. 2004. Osku was responsible for the choreographies for the ensemble of Veren Häät while Sirpa and Jukka choreographed their own dancing. But this precious moment captured them all, exchanging opinions.
Photo Teppo Järvinen
Sudenmorsian The Wolf’s Bride
Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö and Jukka Haapalainen are exceptionally talented both in dance and drama. They have an outstanding ability to bring their characters to life in their own intelligent and passionate choreographies, and working with them is always a privilege.
https://www.hsdancestudios.com
https://www.facebook.com/Jukka-Haapalainen-Sirpa-Suutari-Jaasko-411991748817527/
Photo from the rehearsals of Sudenmorsian The Wolf’s Bride :
Osku and the ensemble.
Choreographer Osku Heiskanen masters musicals ad well as opera and drama. Both his creativity and patience seem to be endless! We have worked together a lot, and it’s always a pleasure.
https://sv.opera.se/om-oss/personal/portratt/osku-heiskanen/
Rehearsal photo of Kohtalon tango- El Tango de la Guardia Vieja.
Kohtalon tango was one of the collaborations we’ve had with the Dance Theatre MD. MD is a Finnish dance company with strong ties to the theatre field. MD’s ambitious and skilful team can cope with a huge variety of genres and always make the best of show. http://www.tanssiteatterimd.fi/en/
Photo © Teppo Järvinen, rehearsals of Carmen, opening scene.
The loyal, skilful and creative ensemble of our dear home base theatre TTT consists of theatre professionals always ready to do their best. Actresses and actors are fluent in all genres and bravely ready to try new things.
http://www.ttt-teatteri.fi/näyttelijät
Photo © Mats Bäcker The Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade
Dancing is of course a vital part of every musical. In The Phantom of the Opera we had a great team (both in the Finnish National Opera and in the GöteborgsOperan), capable to bring superb quality and class to the dance, and join the ensemble in the scenes fluently.
https://en.opera.se/forestallningar/the-phantom-of-the-opera-2017-2018/
http://oopperabaletti.fi/en/repertoire-and-tickets/the-phantom-of-the-opera/
Fanny & Alexander
Ingmar Bergman:
Fanny & Alexander
Premiere 4.11.2010
Tampereen Työväen Teatteri
Director Tiina Puumalainen
Set Designer Hannu Lindholm
Costume Designer Tellervo Helminen
Choreographer Osku Heiskanen
Lighting Designer Timo Alhanen
Sound Designer Jarkko Tuohimaa
Cast
Petra Ahola, Teija Auvinen, Kristiina Hakovirta, Toni Harjajärvi, Pentti Helin, Minna Hokkanen, Jenni Jousmäki, Kaisa Mattila, Joel Nachtigall, Jaana Oravisto, Matti Pussinen-Eloranta, Topi Salmela, Valentin Salo, Lyydia Selin, Riku Suokas, Mari Turunen, Puntti Valtonen, Eriikka Väliahde
Ensemble:
Ansa Ahola, Nooa Ahola, Jukka Alander, Matias Kampman, Outi Kanerva-Mäkinen, Outi Korpisaari, Leena Kärmeniemi, Esa Lavikka, Mika Lepistö, Emmi Liesmäki, Nelli Nyman, Roosa Salmi, Kari Valakoski, Christine Viitala
ABOUT THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE
Production photos © Petri Kovalainen
Christmas night at the house of Ekdahl’s.
Oscar’s death -scene.
Rehearsing Hamlet.
Helena Ekdahl and Oscar.
Fanny & Alexander and hte bishop.
Theatre rehearsal.
Drawing made by set designer Hannu Lindholm, photo Tiina Puumalainen
Song of Finland
Tiina Puumalainen:
Laulu Suomelle
[The Song of Finland]
28.3.2009, live television from the medieval church of Porvoo
YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company)
Director for the Stage Tiina Puumalainen
Director for the TV Tapani Parm
Shot Designer Mika Tertsunen
Lighting Designer Mikki Kunttu
Costume designer Leila Jäntti
Production Designer Leena Tiihonen
Musical Director Riku Niemi
Choreographer Osku Heiskanen
Producer Anneli Pallas
Cast:
Robert Enckell, Marc Gassot, Jouko Klemettilä, Antti Luusuaniemi, Juha Muje, Carl-Kristian Rundman, Aimo Räsänen, Göran Schauman, Rabbe Smedlund, Anna-Maija Tuokko, Puntti Valtonen
Choir:
Sandra Aspelin, Harry Andersson, Raimo Anttila, Juhani Aro, Sandra Aspelin, Veikko Ekström, Mauri Harjumaaskola, Niina Hartikainen, Jukka Holm, Jussi Honkasalo, Olga Lunnas, Markus Nymark, Juhani Pessala,Tiina Pitkänen, Arja Riissanen, Seija Ruotsalainen, Tapio Saarikko, Maarit Salmela, Matti Silanto, Heli Soininen, Seppo Tenhoranta, Heidi Tuikkanen, Antero Tyynynen, Sara Vilander, Heikki Ylärakkola
Riku Niemi Orchestra&Kellokoski Percussion Group:
Petri Ainali
Laura Airola
Ville Hukkinen
Juha-Pekka Koivisto
Marjut Kortehisto
Riikka Lampinen
Riku Niemi
Timo Pétas
Zarkus Poussa
Minna Wesslund
All photos @ Mikki Kunttu
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey:
Yksi lensi yli käenpesän
[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest] (drama)
Premiere 8.9.2007
Lahti City Theatre
Director Tiina Puumalainen
Set Designer Kari Junnikkala
Costume Designer Anne Lasonpalo
Choreographer Osku Heiskanen
Lighting Designer Kari Laukkanen
Sound Designer Sami Järvinen
Cast
Iikka Forss, Riikka Halmela, Jorma Helminen, Mikko Jurkka, Juhani Kouki, Uula Laakso, Aarre-Veikko Pekkarinen, Tero Porali, Jussi Puhakka, Aarre Reijula, Vesa Repo, Mirja Räty, Satu Silvo, Tarmo Valmela, Anna Vihanto
Photo © Kari Junnikkala
Feelgood
Alistair Beaton:
Takapirut
[Feelgood] (satire)
Premiere 5.9.2006
Tampereen Työväen Teatteri
Director Tiina Puumalainen
Production Designer Jani Uljas
Costume Designer Elina Vättö
Lighting Designer Esko Suhonen
Sound Designer Pekka Siltaloppi
Cast:
Lari Halme, Jaana Oravisto, Perttu Pesä, Tommi Raitolehto, Ilmari Saarelainen, Miia Selin, Heli Sutela
All photos © Petri Kovalainen
The Blood Wedding
Federico Garcia Lorca:
Veren häät
[The Blood Wedding] (drama & dance)
Premiere 12.3.2004
Turku City Theatre
Director Tiina Puumalainen
Set & Costume Designer Kaj Puumalainen
Composer Atso Almila
Conductor Marko Autio
Choreographer Osku Heiskanen, Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö, Jukka Haapalainen
Lighting Designer Timo Alhanen
Sound Designer Mika Hiltunen, Jari Tengström
Cast:
Jukka Aaltonen, Jukka Haapalainen, Minna Hämäläinen, Jaana Järvinen, Stefan Karlsson, Miska Kaukonen, Ulla Koivuranta, Tapio Kouki, Kaisa Mattila, Marja Pesonen, Kimmo Rasila, Riitta Salminen, Riitta Selin, Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö
Supporting cast:
Heikki Harinen, Mervi Keskinen, Janne Kilpiö, Minna Merilä
ABOUT THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE See also: Dance
All photos © Matti Kivekäs
Opening scene: Revenge follows revenge, nobody knows how it started, but stopping it seems impossible.
Bride’s dream. The night before the wedding, masked dancers haunt Bride (Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö).
Bride (Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö) and Leonardo (Jukka Haapalainen) run to the woods. (2 photos)
Making of-photo:
Osku Heiskanen was responsible for the choreographies for the ensemble of Veren Häät while Sirpa and Jukka choreographed their own dancing. But this precious moment captured them all, exchanging opinions.
Puppetry
Tiina Puumalainen:
“The beautiful art of puppetry has always fascinated me. In the early years of my career I studied puppetry and puppet making in various productions. Most of that work was documented poorly or the original photos are lost - but the experiences never vanished.
I am often deeply touched by puppet performances, but maybe even more by the audience’s loving response to them. It never seizes to amaze me: puppets seem to add layers of emotions to the drama in a very unique way.
So, the studies continue - and combining puppetry to a traditional drama is going to be happening a lot in our productions in the near future. “
ABOUT THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE
Production photos © Teppo Järvinen
Making of- photos © Tiina Puumalainen
Valokuvavarkaat Stolen Family Album is a drama about a female artist - Anelma - struggling with her work and family issues.
Many scenes involved devastating childhood memories. These were performed by puppets Tiina made for the production. Anelma paints naïve art, so the puppets were designed to look like what her paintings might be. Mother, Sister Ansa, Brother, Uncle and Father were all manipulated in different ways, and their size varied from 10 cm to 4 m.
In the beginning of Valokuvavarkaat Mother and Ansa were huge, tall and slim creatures, but during the play they became smaller and smaller as Anelma started to cope with her past.
In the end the memories and especially Brother became an inspiration. Finally Anelma was able to let the past go, and he flew away.
There is also one photo (Photo Teppo Järvinen) from The Grump’s Finland: the horse on stage was a puppet manipulated by one person.
Writing
This page will be updated soon
ABOUT THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE:
Terhi Suorlahti in Reverie (MedAndraOrd) - new circus
Script: Tiina Puumalainen
Linnunradan laidalla [By the Milky Way] (musical)
Mikko Nousiainen & Maria Järvenhelmi
Script: Tiina Puumalainen
Photo Nanni Akkola
