Laura Jäntti

Director

Laura Jäntti is a Finnish theatre director known for creating artistically uncompromising productions both in small theatres and in major city theatres.

Jäntti graduated from the Theatre Academy in 1974. She is an experienced director whose early career was marked by distinctive and artistically acclaimed productions in small theatres, such as during the early years of the independent KOM-theatre and at Teatteri Jurkka. From 2002 to 2004, Jäntti served as the director of Lilla Teatern. Known as an advocate for small theatre groups and artistic diversity, she has since worked at the city theatres of Turku, Lahti, and Helsinki, as well as at the Finnish National Theatre.

Jäntti is internationally recognized, with her works performed in Germany, Norway, Peru, and Tanzania. She is regarded as a pioneer of Finnish theatre export. At the same time, she has deliberately positioned herself outside the mainstream theatre world, pursuing her own artistic vision. Her trademarks include bold visual use of stage space and a strong focus on acting as the core of drama.

Laura Jäntti received the Finnish State Prize for Theatre Arts from the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2007.

Text: Olli Mäkelä / Sunklo, 2011 (translated)