Annika Üprus to lead Von Krahl Theatre from November 1

Annika Üprus will take over as head of Von Krahl Theatre on November 1, succeeding Jaak Prints, who has become a cultural adviser to the president, ERR reports.

Üprus has spent the past two decades contributing to the development of Estonia’s performing arts in various roles. She worked for many years at Kanuti Gildi SAAL, where her most recent challenge was curating and leading the international Saal Biennaal festival. She has also worked as a creative producer with numerous contemporary dance and performing arts creators.

Üprus said she greatly valued the “renaissance” embodied by the theatre’s new artistic team. She said the group’s potential was still taking shape and that its recent collaborative projects offered fertile ground for the unconventional partnerships she has long been interested in.

“When I was asked to take over the baton from Jaak Prints while the race was underway, I found enough curiosity and courage to see how I could contribute with my experience and skills,” Üprus said. She added that she hoped to learn from the company how not to take life, or oneself, too seriously, even while taking on the serious responsibilities of an executive director.

Von Krahl artistic director Juhan Ulfsak said the theatre had always been dynamic and ready for change. He welcomed Üprus and said the theatre would begin a new three-year cycle with her, involving a range of projects and plans for international cooperation. He also thanked Prints for his work.

Prints has worked as cultural adviser to President Ülle Madise since October 13.