Valmiera Theater’s Grand Reopening After Years of Renovation
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The Valmiera Theater in Latvia celebrated its long-awaited grand reopening in September 2024,marking the culmination of a three-year renovation project. The event was met with enthusiastic applause, a testament to the community’s anticipation and the theater’s enduring significance to Latvian culture.
Theater director evita Asheraden expressed immense gratitude to her team, stating, “Only we all together know what compromises we went through to have this result!” The journey, though, was far from smooth. Asheraden navigated contractor changes, escalating construction costs, and unexpected complications uncovered during demolition. Despite these hurdles, the theater’s perseverance paid off, resulting in a stunning revitalized space.
“Good! good and also quite stormy, as these last three years have been, and to be honest, of course, in December 2023, as much as we hoped, we did not know for sure that in December 2024 we would be able to be in such premises talk and take people in. During these three years we experienced breaking contracts,of course that last stage of construction was very fast,but still somewhere something was revealed that could slow it down,and it was our task to ironically continue according to the plan with our productions,new productions,not to stop. We didn’t stop playing for a single moment,”
Asheraden’s account highlights the remarkable dedication of the entire theater company. The challenges extended beyond financial and logistical hurdles; the actors, crew, and staff faced daily inconveniences. the production continued uninterrupted, even amidst the construction chaos.
“The actors did their make-up in the administrative block, then through the dust, through the big, cold stage, they came to play in the Round Hall. We had only two small toilets in the building, and in order to wash off the blood after the show ‘Nelabie’, the actor part washed in a bowl. The audience had a warm toilet with a shower, and then he waited until the audience left and then went to wash. props, props, carpenters, a welder who was welding in his home, the carpenter also sometimes worked in such entirely impossible conditions, props, costume girls, dressers as they carried kittens all the time, all the time moved them from one place to another. We brought along two wonderful guys who are always just carrying something,always moving something,and we played all the time – strictly according to the plan,” Asheraden recounted.
The extended renovation, though, unexpectedly yielded a positive outcome for the city. A former municipal boiler house, “Kurtuve,” was transformed into a vibrant temporary home for the theater, becoming a new arts space in the heart of Valmiera.This innovative use of existing infrastructure mirrors similar adaptive reuse projects in U.S. cities, breathing new life into underutilized buildings.
“I just came up with the idea for it overnight [katlu māju] and ”Kurtuve” becomes such a creative place where we play a little, something happens from the city, which, I think, is a huge benefit,”
The Valmiera Theater’s resilience is further underscored by its success at the “Night of Gamblers” theater festival this fall, where it garnered eight awards. This achievement, according to Asheraden, is a natural outcome of the team’s unwavering commitment and perseverance.
The Valmiera Theater’s story serves as an inspiring example of dedication and resourcefulness in the face of adversity, a narrative that resonates with audiences worldwide. Its triumphant reopening not only celebrates a renovated theater but also highlights the power of community and artistic spirit.
Valmiera Theater: A Latvian Ensemble’s Triumphant Year
the Valmiera Theater in Latvia is experiencing a period of remarkable success, marked by a strong ensemble cast and aspiring programming. Artistic Director Asheraden reflects on the year, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that defines the theater’s unique approach.
“The responsibility is greater than ever,” Asheraden says. ”Well, it’s clear that it won’t be forever, I also say to the team, but we’re enjoying this moment. And why is that? Because we have gone for it purposefully, because we have directors who can be trusted. We have wonderful directors who work, and nine wonderful young actors came to us. We can stage a different kind of play, because we have a lot of young people, and I realy think that valmiera Theater has the best troupe of all generations. We have both young, middle and older generations actors who have been trained to work in an ensemble, who feel each other.This is the strength of the Valmiera Theater, that we don’t put everything on the stars, but we put it on the ensemble, where partner and the trust in the partner that you give a hand, a line, give an end to the dialog, so that he can play against you, you give him that power, that, I think, is very critically important. And just this… well, we went for it very purposefully, it looks like we didn’t, but we went anyway, and if you have such a troupe, then you can really stage it; you can’t stage ’joseph’ in a theater without such a male player and you can’t do ‘Romeo and Juliet’ if you don’t have Romeo and Juliet.”
This emphasis on ensemble acting, fostering trust and collaboration among performers, is a key element of the Valmiera Theater’s identity, setting it apart in the competitive world of theater.
Looking ahead, the theater’s future is equally radiant.The next year promises a vibrant schedule of productions.
“The next half-year has already been planned and the second half-year as well,” Asheraden explains. “The main event ther is the ten years of the Valmiera Summer Theater Festival, and we will play it with grandeur. There will still be a lot of Latvian drama, which we are proud of, and we see that people need it. I think there will be many surprises, and we’ll see how it goes, all we ask for is luck, as we have everything else.”
This Sunday, the Valmiera Theater community will celebrate its return to its renovated building with a conventional year-end event and the premiere of a new documentary film, “The Story of Our House,” chronicling the theater’s history and growth.
The Valmiera Theater’s success serves as an inspiring example of the power of collaborative artistry and community engagement in the performing arts. Its commitment to both established and emerging talent ensures a vibrant and dynamic future for this important cultural institution.
Valmiera Theater: A Conversation on Resilience and Artistic Triumph
Teh Valmiera Theater in Latvia recently celebrated its grand reopening after a three-year renovation project. This milestone not only marks the gorgeous restoration of a cherished cultural landmark but also highlights the theater’s unwavering commitment to artistic excellence in the face of unexpected challenges.To gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable journey, we spoke with Evita Asheraden, the theater’s director.
World-Today News: Evita, congratulations on the reopening of the Valmiera Theater! The renovation process seems to have been quite arduous. What were some of the biggest hurdles you faced?
Evita Asheraden: Thank you! it was indeed a long and demanding journey. We encountered various obstacles, starting with unexpected changes in contractors and escalating construction costs. The demolition phase also revealed unforeseen complications, which required immediate attention and sadly, exacerbated the timeline and budget.
World-today News: It’s truly remarkable that the theater didn’t stop its productions throughout the entire renovation process. Can you elaborate on how you managed to continue performances amidst such challenging circumstances?
Evita Asheraden: We were resolute to keep the artistic spirit alive! Our actors,crew,and staff showed astonishing resilience and adaptability. Imagine them doing their makeup in the administrative block, than navigating thru dust and debris to reach the stage. We had only two small toilets for everyone – artists and staff alike.the audience, luckily, had a warmer experience with a dedicated restroom area.
It was a collective effort, a true testament to our shared passion for theater. Our carpenters, welders, prop masters – they all worked tirelessly, often in cramped and unconventional spaces.
World-Today News: the renovation delay, though challenging, paved the way for a unique chance – the change of the old boiler house into a temporary performance space. How did this unexpected turn of events impact the theater and the community?
Evita Asheraden: We turned the old boiler house, “Kurtuve,” into a vibrant cultural hub! It became a space where we could experiment, present new works, and collaborate with local artists. It also brought a new energy to that part of the city and, I beleive, enriched the cultural landscape of Valmiera.
World-Today News: The valmiera Theater’s recent success at the “Night of Gamblers” festival, earning eight awards, is certainly a testament to the dedication and resilience of your team. What do you attribute this achievement to?
Evita Asheraden: We poured our hearts and souls into these productions. The challenges we faced during the renovation only strengthened our resolve and fueled our creativity.This recognition is not just about the awards; it’s about the unwavering bond within our theater community and the trust we place in each othre.
World-today News: Looking ahead,what are your hopes and dreams for the future of the Valmiera Theater?
Evita Asheraden: We are excited to showcase our renovated space to our community and new audiences. We want to continue pushing creative boundaries, producing thought-provoking and entertaining works that resonate with people of all ages. The valmiera Theater is more than just a building; it’s a platform for dialog, connection, and shared experiences.We want to continue being a vibrant center for artistic expression and cultural enrichment for years to come.
