Theatre director Árpád Schilling selecting the student course at the LMTA Klaipėda Faculty

This June, at the Klaipėda Faculty of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA), internationally recognised Hungarian director Árpád Schilling is selecting a group of students. “This is the first time in the history of Lithuania and the LMTA when a course in Directing is taken by a guest from abroad, a European-level theatre artist,” says Valentinas Masalskis, the LMTA Klaipėda Faculty professor, a well-known Lithuanian actor and director. While Á. Schilling will lead a course in Theatre and Event Directing, the Klaipėda Youth Theatre is going to contribute to the implementation of the studies.

“For the Academy, it’s a great honour that Á. Schilling, a talented director, a wise and humble teacher, a responsible and socially engaged artist, is to lead a course in Klaipeda. I am sure that prospective students of this course led by Á. Schilling and his team will not only learn the art of directing, but also build a solid foundation of values, develop an empathetic and, at the same time, critical attitude toward the world,” says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramunė Balevičiūtė, Vice-Rector of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.

The Audience of the Lithuanian theatre is familiar with Árpád Shilling’s works. The director’s productions awarded the prestigious Europe Prize Theatrical Realities prize keep attracting the audience and have acquired a status of a special event in the theatre community. In Lithuania, Á. Schilling has created performances The Great Evil (Lt. „Didis blogis”, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre), #nowhere („Įstrigę“, Klaipėda Youth Theatre), Autonomy (Lt. „Autonomija“), and Barbarians („Barbarai“, State Youth Theater).

Actor Valentinas Masalskis, LMTA professor, founder and artistic director of the Klaipėda Youth Theatre has closely cooperated with A. Schilling and created the major roles in Schilling’s productions. This year, at the LMTA Klaipėda Faculty, Valentinas Masalskis is starting a new course for young actors and is looking forward to a fruitful cooperation between his students and Á. Schilling’s course of directors.

“Árpád is a very busy person; finding time and funds for this cooperation was a difficult and long journey. However, this is the first time in the history of Lithuania and the LMTA when a course in Directing is selected by a guest from abroad, a European-level theatre artist. I am glad that the Klaipeda Youth Theatre can make a financial contribution to the education of the younger generation of theatre directors,” says V. Masalskis.

Á. Schilling is, too, looking forward to the prospects brought by new activities: “I have almost 30 years of work experience, and during this time I’ve written plays, directed theatre, opera, and circus performances, worked with both professionals and amateurs, and, for over 10 years, led the Krétakör Theatre. But I’ve never led a student class of my own. I would like to thank actor and director Valentin Masalskis for this opportunity.” In this study programme, Á. Schilling will be assisted by the Klaipeda Youth Theatre actors Rugilė Latvėnaitė and Paulius Pinigis.

Theatre and Event Directing studies at the LMTA Klaipėda Faculty are the only studies in Lithuania and Europe of such kind that prepare theatre professionals possessing a wide range of skills to able to direct various performances and events. Graduates will obtain a Bachelor of Arts and a professional teacher qualification. The course is provided for the Lithuanian students. 

LMTA information
27 April 2023