& Espoo Theatre has been chosen as finalist for the Theatre of the Year 2025 award from a pool of over twenty candidates. According to the jury, all three nominees are bold trailblazers, innovators of international collaboration, and impactful players in the performing arts field.
The Theatre of the Year award, granted by the Finnish Theatre Association, will be presented in the Thalia Gala on Monday, March 24, 2025.
International Collaboration, Responsibility, and a Bold Brand
“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be finalists” says managing director Matilda von Weissenberg.
In their selection, the jury praised & Espoo Theatre as a window to the world and a vibrant meeting point for international performing arts, benefitting the entire arts community.
“Our mission extends beyond bringing international performances to Finland. We actively foster connections between foreign and Finnish artists, strengthening Finland’s cultural exports and enriching our artistic ecosystem. For us, international collaboration is about creating dialogue, not merely a one-way exchange,” explains artistic director Jussi Sorjanen.
The theatre is committed to being a responsible workplace, advocating for equality, accessibility, and sustainability. Responsibility at & Espoo Theatre means addressing the diverse needs of various audience groups while ensuring ecological sustainability in its operations.
The brand was also commended for its thoughtful execution. With its daring brand and high-quality content, the theatre has successfully attracted new audiences, particularly younger viewers—a remarkable achievement in today’s cultural landscape.
“Espoo’s population is becoming younger and more international, and so is our theatre. & evolves, adapts, and grows, attentively responding to both local aspirations and global trends,” adds von Weissenberg.
Celebrating Audience Feedback
Beyond recognition from the theatre field, & Espoo Theatre is celebrating the positive feedback from its audiences. Responses collected over the past year indicate that audience satisfaction with the theatre’s performances and operations is increasing. The survey, conducted by Innolink in 2024, received approximately 1,000 responses.
A commendable 69% of respondents rated the theatre as excellent, and performances earned an impressive average score of 4.6 out of 5. Additionally, the theatre’s Net Promoter Score (NPS), a measure of audience willingness to recommend the theatre to others, increased by 36% compared to the previous year.
“Aligned with our strategy, our goal is to establish & as a spiritual home for the residents of Espoo and the broader capital region, regardless of background, age, or social class,” comments Sorjanen. “The feedback we’ve received inspires us to continue presenting bold and diverse performances, hosting numerous public events, and building active collaboration networks. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our audiences, our team, our artists, and everyone who contributes to our success!” he concludes.