The upcoming New People theater festival is set to bring performances to Kaluga, Obninsk, Naro-Fominsk, and Moscow, with organizers confirming the event to socialbites.ca. This nationwide program aims to showcase innovative stage work across multiple Russian regions, highlighting how theater can connect communities in fresh, memorable ways.
Scheduled from October 20 to November 1, the festival centers on presenting performances in unconventional spaces and formats. Alongside the main shows, the program features a range of original activities designed to engage audiences directly: artist-led master classes, guided excursions, and intimate sessions that bring creators and spectators together for conversations and exchanges after performances.
For its fifth edition, New People welcomes artists from six Russian regions, inviting them to transform ordinary venues into extraordinary theaters. The program intentionally includes performances in venues that are not typical for the stage, such as riversides, bars, and libraries, creating an intimate, tactile experience for attendees and inviting them to view art in new contexts.
The festival will kick off in Kaluga on October 20 with a street circus performance titled Hotel, staged by the Moscow troupe Crazy Hotel Company. In parallel, audiences can catch the gripping solo show Happy Charlotte at The Rocket Bar in Kaluga and at Moscow’s Standup cafe, a production by the Kazan Theater for Young Spectators that blends humor with poignant storytelling.
In addition to performances for adults, the festival curates shows for younger audiences and families. Obninsk will host Music from Everything alongside the musical Brer Rabbit vs Brer Fox, while Naro-Fominsk will feature an interactive production titled Family Bakery, inviting families to participate in the storytelling experience as it unfolds on stage and beyond.
Festival programmers emphasize a broad spectrum of forms and genres, ranging from rap-infused musical pieces to elements of mystical horror. They note a special emphasis on plastic theater and contemporary drama, ensuring there is something for every taste, from seasoned theater-goers to curious newcomers. The program aims to entertain, provoke thought, and inspire conversations among audiences of all ages, making the festival a year-round cultural touchstone for residents and visitors alike.
In related notes, box office activity around the Yakut cinema region has recently hit new records, underscoring a growing public interest in live performance and the value of vibrant local arts ecosystems that festivals like New People help sustain. The festival organizers hope this momentum continues, encouraging communities to explore theater in dynamic, interactive ways that reflect today’s cultural landscape.