💖 GYMNASTICS GIRLS 💖

Havukainen / Hyvönen / Lahdenmäki

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

Gymnastics Girls is an award-winning theatre performance about Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (AGG), exploring the past and present bodies of former gymnasts Katariina Havukainen, Inkeri Hyvönen, and Ella Lahdenmäki through practice, competition, comparison, evaluation, joy, beauty, community, and unity. Created by three actors, the piece blends documentary material, humour, and moments of painful honesty, weaving together personal memories and historical archives. The performance brings together contemporary theatre, stand-up, and strong physical expression to form a deeply human and strikingly expressive whole.

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).

NEWS!

EXHIBITON AT THE FINNISH SPORTS MUSEUM:

Jumppatytöt – a love letter to Aesthetic Group Gymnastics ✨

Gymnastics Girls phenomenon is expanding into an exhibition! For the first time, an exhibition dedicated to Aesthetic Group Gymnastics will be presented at the Finnish Sports Museum TAHTO.

“The exhibition dives into the history of Finnish gymnastics culture, highlights moving moments of the present, and explores dreams for the future. JUMPPATYTÖT – a love letter to Aesthetic Group Gymnastics shares stories from competitive gymnasts, coaches, and enthusiasts alike — the small and big moments that make this sport so beloved. On display is a diverse collection of group gymnastics artefacts, videos, photographs, stories, and diary entries, as well as the competition outfit of five-time world champion Paula Thesleff.”

Jumppatytöt – a love letter to group gymnastics
10 April – 13 September 2026

TAHTO Sports Museum

Exhibition creators: Jumppatytöt, TAHTO

Supported by:
Finnish Gymnastics Federation,
Kaarina Kari Foundation,
Kone Foundation,
Brita Maria Renlund Memorial Foundation,
Finnish Foundation for Women’s Physical Education

La Pirouette X Jumppatytöt ✨

Jumppatytöt have launched a collaboration collection with the Finnish clothing brand La Pirouette!

“We are extremely excited about this collaboration! Pirouette’s products have been part of our lives throughout our childhood, and it is truly an honor to create this collection.

Jumppatytöt’s share of the proceeds from the La Pirouette X JUMPPATYTÖT collection will be donated to support the well-being of children and young people and safe participation in sports. The proceeds will be split between two causes: the Human Rights League of Finland to promote human rights in sports, and the Et ole yksin initiative by the Family Federation of Finland.

By purchasing products from the La Pirouette X JUMPPATYTÖT collection, you are also contributing to the well-being of children and young people. The collection is available for a limited time!”

SHOP HERE!