Johan Elm, a freelance director and the chair of the jury for the Estonian Theatre Awards, recently discussed the evolving landscape of theater in Estonia. He noted a troubling trend towards more ensemble performances, which complicates the jury’s ability to fairly select recipients for individual acting awards. Elm emphasized that as ensemble work becomes more prevalent, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish the contributions of individual actors, leading to potential unfairness in awarding recognition.

In his reflections on the past year, Elm shared his experience of viewing nearly 100 new performances out of approximately 130 staged in Estonia. He appreciates the collaborative nature of the jury process, allowing for diverse perspectives in the decision-making. Elm finds the breadth of the Estonian theater scene to be both enlightening and rewarding, noting that the challenging workload of assessing so many performances is ultimately fulfilling. He expresses gratitude for the opportunities to witness the creativity and talent within the industry.

Elm also commented on the thematic developments observed in recent productions, pointing out recurring motifs and a growing reliance on original works or specific authors. This trend illustrates a dynamic shift in the type of storytelling being embraced by Estonian theaters, indicating a potential movement towards innovation while still reflecting cultural narratives. The winners of the theater awards will be announced on March 27 at the Tallinn City Theatre, where Elm’s insights about the current state of theater in Estonia will undoubtedly contribute to the broader discussion around arts recognition in the country.