Creating characters develops children’s creativity and helps them focus on the moment, says the workshop leader, actor Aapo Oranen.
Clothes racks are bursting with more colorful and strange costumes than the other in the children’s cultural center Vekkula in Mikkeli. More specifically, there are a total of 850 costumes, and the children sometimes have difficulty finding the right outfit for their character in the midst of the abundance.
Creating the characters is part of the autumn holiday theater workshop, where children aged 7–10 solve the riddle of Tyynelänsalmi.
– It is important for us to load ourselves physically and mentally, to challenge ourselves to think and use our bodies. That’s what I want to aim for in the workshop, that through play we can think about things and focus on the exact moment where we are.
The theater workshop is part of Mikkeli’s dream year of Culture. The goal of the dream year of culture is to improve the visibility and accessibility of culture. As a father of four children, Oranen praises the current children’s culture offer.
– There are big children’s events, Hulivilikarnevali and a light event and whatever. My own experience as a resident and a member of a large family is that things are pretty good here.
Also when asked from children, the cultural offer seems to be sufficient. Many have been to the theater at least with school. Aada Koskivirta remembers seeing the Alice in Wonderland performance.
– It was quite good, but the eyes got tired when it lasted at least two hours, he describes his theater experience.
Aake Lepistö, on the other hand, is enthusiastic about theater to such an extent that he enjoys it himself.
– The best are the shows. We are currently rehearsing a play starring three lions.
– Yes, this could be a hobby someday, it’s been really nice here, he says.
At the end of the day-long workshop, Aapo Oranen hopes that the children will take home a good mood.
– Good enthusiastic buzz and mood, and I hope they had a good time.