💖 GYMNASTICS GIRLS 💖

Havukainen / Hyvönen / Lahdenmäki

Gymnastics Girls is a theatre performance about Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (AGG)

It is an exploration of the past and present bodies of former gymnasts through practice, competition, comparison, assessment, joy, beauty, community, and unity.

Script, direction, dramaturgy, scenography and performance by: Katariina Havukainen, Inkeri Hyvönen, Ella Lahdenmäki

Choreography: Antton Laine & the working group

Sound design: Roy Boswell, Oscar Fagerudd & the working group

Scenography (tour): Heikki Paasonen

Lighting Design (tour): Heikki Paasonen

Technicians (tour): Oscar Fagerudd, Aleksi Karjalainen, Pinja Kokkonen

Premiere: 13th April 2024

Gymnastics Girls are touring with their show internationally!

Booking and promotion:

jumppatytot@jumppatytot.fi

GYMNASTICS GIRLS RECEIVE STATE AWARD FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION 2025!

“This piece of documentary theatre is based on the personal experiences of Katariina Havukainen, Inkeri Hyvönen and Ella Lahdenmäki in the world of aesthetic group gymnastics. Written and directed by the cast, the play gives a voice to the hundreds of thousands of Finnish girls and women who have moved in gymnastics circles.

It is not merely a story about sport. The audience do not need to be gymnasts to recognise themes of problematic body image, poor leadership or bullying. The play emphasises the right of young people to grow up in peace.”

- Ministry of Education and Culture

(The State Award for Public Information is Finland's highest recognition for outstanding work in making knowledge accessible).

Reviews

"The year's biggest theatrical sensation was created by three women."

- Hilla Körkkö / Uusi Juttu

"The audience is bursting as the dramatic, dark pathos of the Gymnastics Girls' performance grows into aerobic fireworks in a fraction of a second. Endorphin rushes through the entire gymnasium."

- Emma Vainio / Helsingin Sanomat

Trailer 💖

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About us

Katariina Havukainen graduated with a Master's degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Tampere in 2019 and has since worked as an actor, writer, and director. Her own works have been seen, among others, at the Helsinki City Theatre, Finnish National Theatre and on television on Finnish Broadcasting Company. Recent acting roles for Katariina include leading roles in the Turku City Theatre production of "Little Women" (2023) and the Solar Films movie "On Thin Ice" (2022). Currently, Havukainen is writing the script for her first feature film for Solar Films.

Inkeri Hyvönen is a Helsinki-based actor and Master of Theatre Arts (Theatre Academy Helsinki 2022), whose background in performance stems from her youth in Aesthetic Group Gymnastics. Inkeri's recent acting credits include appearances at the Finnish National Theatre (2023), Helsinki City Theatre (2023) and Turku City Theatre (2024). She has also performed in award winning TV series such as "Summer of sorrow” and "Grown ups", several short films and has contributed to radio dramas for the Finnish Broadcasting Company.

Ella Lahdenmäki graduated from the Theatre Academy Helsinki with a Master's degree in Theatre Arts in 2016. Ella was selected as a member of Theatre Takomo immediately after graduation and is part of Takomo's ensemble. In addition, Ella has been attached as an actress at the Turku City Theatre, worked with independent theater groups, played the lead role in the TV series "Best Year Ever," and performed in radio dramas for Finnish Broadcasting Company Radio Theatre. Ella's recent works include "Undress me, then" (Theatre Takomo 2023) and "Catching the Little Pike" (Oulu Theatre 2023-2024).