The LÄBU series of performances is an opportunity to see different works created within the Master’s program in Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). The degree aims to allow experimental practices and processes in the field of contemporary art. In the program, we see a variety of students with different performance backgrounds, trajectories, and places of origin.
In Episode 7 of LÄBU we had the chance to see two performances: It’s Okay by Oskar Moore and Onoma by Maria Papachristodoulou. In both works, there is an exploration of identity either through connecting with others or discovering who you are as an individual, including what it means to carry a name.
In It’s Okay, the artist explores his relationship with and integration into groups. For example, he narrates experiences from his teenage years and his relationship with family. In this performance, Moore makes deep use of light – not just to illuminate or highlight what he wants us to notice, but to create movement, shape the space, and give dimension to the scene. He also brings structure through spoken text, offering the audience a more traditional entry point into the work.
The second performance is Onoma by Maria Papachristodoulou. “Onoma” in Greek means “name.” In this piece, the artist explores her name, Maria, and the attempt to reclaim it, while also looking at how the name is represented in different social and cultural contexts. The performance includes multicultural resources, weaving together Greek, Italian, and English, along with narrative elements such as songs, oral storytelling, and text. We also see the character going through changes not just in garments, but also in movement and in her attitude toward the objects and elements around her.
In this episode, both performances explore the idea of identity. It is fascinating to see how a concept can be developed and brought to life by two different artists in completely different ways. LÄBU is also a great opportunity to discover what young talents in training are creating today. There is one remaining CPPM performance of Episode 5, 14 September at 1900 in the Kanuti Guild Hall. The 2025 Tallinn Fringe Festival continues through 18 September with at least three shows across town every night.
Author: Isi Salcedo
I’m a stand-up comedian and comic artist from Santiago, Chile, now living in Tallinn, Estonia. I create stories that make people laugh, think, and feel, whether through my graphic novels like Diaries of an Au Pair or comedy shows like Flipping the 30s. I’m passionate about storytelling and exploring how art can connect us to emotions and experiences across cultures
Subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest posts delivered right to your email.