Theatre
About us
Valmiera is one of the oldest cities in Latvia. It is located 110 km northeast of the Latvian capital city, Riga. Inhabited by roughly 26 thousand people, Valmiera is the 8th largest city in the country.
Evidence of the city dates back to the 11th century, and by 1365 it was already mentioned as a member of the Hansaetic League. Today the symbols of Valmiera are St. Sīmanis church, built at the start of the 13th century, and the Livonian castle ruins.
The city’s industrial and economic life surround the banks of the river Gauja. Since the middle of the 20th century, the greatest manufacturing and trading enterprises from the Vidzeme region and the remainder of the country have chosen Valmiera. Some are known abroad – for example, the glass fibre manufacturer JSC ‘’Valmiera Glass’’ (‘’Valmieras stikla šķiedra’’) or the Ltd. ‘’Valpro’’, a manufacturer of fuel cans, fire extinguishers and other metal products.
Since 1996, Valmiera has welcomed students to the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, offering six study programs: Business Administration, Information Technologies, Engineering, Communication and Media Studies, Governance, and Tourism.
Founded in 1923, the theatre has become the cultural center of Valmiera. Its audience expands beyond the Vidzeme region, embracing spectators from Riga and other far-away guests.
Today the theatre has changed its location from the hundred-year-old wooden Valmiera Latvian Society House to a 90s building, designed by the architect Modris Ģelzis.
Staging is set on three different scenes:
● The great hall (400 spectators): founded in 1996, it focuses on performances that attract large audiences, such as melodramas, comedies, and plays for children;
● The round hall (its layout can be modified, up to 100 spectators): founded in 1994, it focuses on psychologically subtle performances, where the intimacy of close-ups reveals actors’ mastery and nuances;
● New hall (previously – The little hall, 100 spectators): where chamber plays and experimental performances take place. This stage has gathered audience since 1990, until then serving as a rehearsal hall and being located in a technical building.
Half a century ago, Valmiera’s theatre, with young directors Oļģerts Kroders and Māra Ķimele, became an incubator for Latvian contemporary production. Since then, interest in elitist experiments and modern dramatic forms, as well as theatric arts in their most democratic manifestation, has not faded. The repertoire is based on progressive interpretations of foreign and Latvian classics, as well as original drama.
The theatre is represented by:
● 30 staff and 15 freelance actors;
● Directors from various generations: Felikss Deičs, Varis Brasla, Mārtiņš Eihe, Indra Roga, Reinis Suhanovs, Jānis Znotiņš, Inese Mičule, Viesturs Meikšāns, Elmārs Seņkovs etc.
Valmiera theatre frequently receives nominations and reaps laurels in the Annual Latvian Theatre Awards ‘’Spēlmaņu nakts,’’ and gains appreciation at international festivals.
Every three to five years since 1999, Valmiera Theatre hosts The Theatre Festival of Rūdolfs Blaumanis. This festival recalls dramatic writings of the outstanding Latvian writer, Blaumanis, and of his contemporaries from the beginning of 20th century.
BOX OFFICE
Box Office Hours –
Monday: day off
Tuesday to Friday: 12:00 to 18:30
Saturday – Sunday: 1h before curtain time
Sundays: one hour prior to curtain time
Box Office phone number: 64207335; e-mail: biletes@valmierasteatris.lv
Tickets online: www.bilesuparadize.lv
● The Box Office offers electronic Valmiera Theatre gift cards (minimum value EUR 15). The gift card is valid for one year from the date of issue and may be used multiple times. Residual value will remain on the gift account for one year from the date of issue. Gift cards can be exchanged for tickets in any ‘’Biļešu paradīze’’ vendor;
● Permanent discounts to all VDT performances for ISIC, ITIC and LIZDA Card owners – accordingly 30%, 20% and 10%;
● 30% discount to all VDT performances for Vidzeme University Card owners (students and teachers);
● 15% discount to all VDT performances for Valmiera Culture Card owners;
● Free entrance for two teachers accompanying a school group on a children’s show;
● 10% discount for groups (starting from 10 people).
In the case of a discount please show your card at the Box Office upon purchasing your ticket.
NB! Upon entering, please show the ticket-collector both your ticket and your discount card!
● Discounts do not apply to children’s shows, road shows and performances with a specific price.
Contacts
Board Member Evita Ašeradena | +371 6 4207297 | evita.sniedze@valmierasteatris.lv
Finance Director Līga Lapsa | +371 64207297 | liga.lapsa@valmierasteatris.lv
Staging Director Guntars Grāvelsiņš | +371 2 9459150 | guntars.gravelsins@valmierasteatris.lv
Technical Director Jānis Kreklis | +371 6 4207297 | janis.kreklis@valmierasteatris.lv
Marketing Director Marta Cekule | +371 26609252 |marta.cekule@valmierasteatris.lv
Public Relations and Communication Specialist Lūcija Zalte | +371 22011447 | lucija.zalte@valmierasteatris.lv
Head Administrator Ieva Apine | +371 6 4207409 |ieva.apine@valmierasteatris.lv
Administrator of guest performances and theatre tours Pārsla Jansone | +371 26412399 | parsla.jansone@valmierasteatris.lv
Head of the troupe Lija Lauze | +371 26548855 | lija.lauze@valmierasteatris.lv
Literary Advisor Undīne Adamaite | undine.adamaite@valmierasteatris.lv
Assistant Director for Dramaturgy Madara Rutkēviča | madara.rutkevica@valmierasteatris.lv
Musical Department Manager Emīls Zilberts | +371 6 4207297
Cafe
An hour before the performance and during the intermissions, both the theatre and Kurtuve have a café run by the Akustika team.
Phone for table reservations +371 26296919
Details
State Enterprise Ltd. „Valmieras drāmas teātris” (Valmiera Drama Theatre)
Reg.No. 44103038376
Address: Lāčplēša Street 4 , Valmiera, LV – 4201
Treasury Code: TRELL22
Account: LV41TREL9220550000000
