Director
Sara Melleri
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introduction
Sara Melleri is a Helsinki-based actor, director, and creator of alternative cabaret. She has performed in and directed numerous theatre productions and films. In her works (such as Pop Slut, Father Fucker, and Betty Show), she plays with the boundaries of intimacy and exaggeration. Sara is fascinated by show numbers, method acting, and the intersection of luxury and trash. At the heart of her work and within her creative teams, she is committed to promoting equality and diverse voices both within and beyond the theatre. Her recent works have been presented at the Finnish National Theatre, the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, the Baltic Circle Festival, and Espoo City Theatre. Sara is currently developing a durational performance titled The Greatest Performance Of My Life in collaboration with dancers, actors, and a drag performer.
“In my childhood home, Mozart’s The Magic Flute was always playing, and I saw it many times at the Turku City Theatre, directed by Laura Jäntti. I liked Sarastro and the Queen of the Night. I went to fairy tale ballet classes mainly because at the end of the lesson the teacher handed out chocolate bars and chewing gum — and before class, I would always sing the Queen of the Night’s aria in the dressing room. I love opera divas.
I’m incredibly curious and excited to have the opportunity to work with the artists and creators of Sokeritehdas and the world of opera. I love combining music with performance, and I’ve felt the call of opera for quite some time. I’m interested in the questions ‘What makes a good opera?’ or ‘What makes a good opera singer?’, and in exploring, deconstructing, and challenging those questions through artistic experimentation at Sokeritehdas.”
www.saramelleri.com