Sketch for unpublished play 'Urna' wins Dalios Tamulevičiūtė competition

The Dalios Tamulevičiūtė competition for original Lithuanian stage works has announced its winner: an artistic sketch for the play "Urna," based on an unpublished work by Marija Dautartaitė. The winning production, which will be staged next year at the Dalios Tamulevičiūtė Professional Theatre Festival in Varėna, features actors Gintarė Latvėnaitė and Greta Bendžė in its sketch. The cast will later include Larisa Kalpokaitė, Aurelijus Pocius, Arūnas Sakalauskas, and Indrė Patkauskaitė.

"Urna" delves into the emotional complexities of a family and friends gathering for the funeral of a father who worked and died abroad. The two-act play promises to explore sensitive themes of grief, the resurfacing of old resentments, and the dramatic unfolding of relationships between sisters.

This year's competition also showcased other notable entries. The National Kauno Drama Theatre presented a sketch for "Bloody Wedding," a tragicomedy by author and director Artūras Areima. Additionally, Stalo Theatre offered a sketch for "Bumba Dumba and the Creation of the Universe," an object-based sensory performance directed by Saulė Degutytė, inspired by T.S. Butkus's book.

The winner was announced by the session chair, Dr. Rusnė Kregždaitė, representing the Association of Non-Governmental Stage Art Organizations. The judging panel included Margarita Alper, Mindaugas Urbaitis, Elona Bajorinienė, Giedrė Vosylienė, Laima Denutienė, and Jonas Tertelis. The award ceremony and presentation of a commemorative token to the winner will take place on September 30, coinciding with the director's birthday.