Sergei Ostrenko
Director, Choreographer and Teacher
International theatre projects under the guidance of Sergei Ostrenko have taken place in numerous countries, including Austria, Belarus, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Ostrenko's creative work synthesizes the Russian Theatre School with the latest experiments in performing arts. He has extensive directing experience across various genres.
For many years, he has explored world theatre traditions, working with performers from diverse countries and cultures.
On the international scene, his approach is recognized as an effective method for building cohesion and creating live performances within limited rehearsal time. Ostrenko’s students, including theatre practitioners from Russia, Europe, America, Asia, and Australia, have successfully applied his creative methods in their own performances and teaching practices.
Since the late 1990s, Sergei has traveled extensively, researching both traditional and contemporary performing arts techniques such as Contact Improvisation, Kinetic Environment, Structural Improvisation, and the methods of Alexander, Laban, Butoh, Suzuki, Pilates, Viewpoints, Eugenio Barba’s approach, Chinese Opera, and Mak Yong.
Of course, Sergei Ostrenko’s foundation in the methods of K. Stanislavsky, Vsevolod Meyerhold, and Mikhail Chekhov is fundamental to his work.
In addition to being a professional theatre director, Sergei has extensive teaching experience. He has led numerous educational courses, masterclasses, workshops, and labs with international groups of directors, choreographers, dancers, actors, and circus performers. In these programs, Ostrenko shares his expertise on topics like "How to Stage a Performance," "How to Make a Performance Come Alive," "How to Be a Professional," and other valuable tips and tools that help directors and performers make their shows unforgettable.
Ostrenko Method
Ostrenko's approach is a systematic method for creating performances, which generates innovative productions by utilizing concepts, ideas, and existing play-texts. It introduces effective techniques and approaches to contemporary performance practice, particularly in the context of short rehearsal times and the multicultural nature of creative teams.
It can also be described as a harmonious blend of practice and theory. This approach is highly practical, focusing on the performance-making process from both the performers' and directors' perspectives. The Ostrenkos' method draws on the concepts, ideas, and discoveries of K. Stanislavski, Vsevolod Meyerhold, and Mikhail Chekhov to generate innovative productions.
Ostrenko's method emphasizes the performer’s physicality and the power of physical action. The key to unlocking an actor’s creative nature lies in the body. Through physical actions, actors discover form, emotional expression, and depth of feeling. The actor’s relationship with the artistic space, along with their freedom in improvisation and spontaneity, plays a crucial role in the creative process. As a result, the intangible becomes tangible, with atmosphere and style emerging organically from this creative exploration.
Ostrenko has directed over 40 major theatre productions, served as an artistic director for international joint art projects, been a jury member at dance competitions for around 10 years, taught at various universities, and conducted hundreds of international educational workshops focused on performance making, physical theatre, choreography, and acting.
Sergei Ostrenko is highly anticipated in many countries, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Portugal, Singapore, and more.
Performances
Sergei Ostrenko’s first education was in Fine Arts, and he began his career in theatre as a stage designer. When he transitioned to directing, his background in fine arts significantly influenced his approach. As a result, his productions are highly visual and filled with grace.
He made his debut as a theatre director in 1986 with Gogol's The Government Inspector at a professional repertory theatre in Russia. Since then, he has directed one to three productions each year with professional theatre companies in various countries.
Training
Sergei Ostrenko has been teaching students since 1988 at various higher education institutions, including the Latvian State Conservatoire (Riga, Latvia), the Latvian Academy of Culture (Riga, Latvia), the Latvian branch of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Rosebud School for the Arts (Rosebud, Canada), the University of Calgary (Calgary, Canada), and others.
There are only a few highly professional individuals in Europe who specialize in Physical Theatre through the lens of the Russian Theatre school tradition. We believe that Sergei is one of them.
Mission
Since 2000, guided by the vision and inspiration of Sergei Ostrenko, a group of enthusiasts established the non-profit organization NIPAI IUGTE. The organization's mission is to explore and promote performance traditions from around the world and to foster the exchange of artistic ideas in the modern world.
