Riku Saastamoinen

Job description

University lecturer in Theatre

Head of MA-program in theatre pedagogy

Introduction

I am a director and teacher and I have worked as a lecturer at the Art University At the Theater Academy in the Department of Theater Pedagogy since 2007. Before that I worked as a full-time teacher at the Helsinki University of Applied Sciences. My teaching priorities include dialogue and power in art pedagogy, contemporary performance practices, directing, children’s and youth theater and critical reflection of pedagogical practices and contexts. I have also worked with many master’s theses as a supervisor and examiner.

I have directed both text-based and group-based performances / events. For example Versions of anonymous dialogues (Teak / Stoa / Gloria 2014-2017), The Idiot (Galerie Anhava 2012-), The School of Unforced Errors – Episode III (TeaK 2012). Error – guide to beginner (Teak 2010), Bred to be slaughtered (Teak 2008) and  Philosophy of poverty – trilogy (1996-2006).

In 2008, we established together with architect Toni Kauppila The School of Unforced Errors research unit. I started my doctoral research The School of Unforced Errors – Performance and pedagogy as a space of change in 2010 at the Theater Academy. From 2016 I have worked in the Art @ school group at Artsequal -research iniative and expanded my research interests also outside the higher education.