Titi-nallet theater group in Riihimäki prepares to premiere inclusive production featuring young adults with disabilities

On stage, actors dressed as birds perform while the song “Lintu” by Yona plays in the background, expressing a yearning to escape a small town. Two actors mimic bird wings with their hands, while others carry colorful birds on sticks. This is a rehearsal for the Titi-nallet theater group, set to premiere their production “Kaikilla lokeilla on siivet” on Thursday at Kino Sammo in Riihimäki.

The performance is the culmination project for eight young adults with developmental disabilities, who will receive a significant certificate in the spring—marking them as the first in Finland to complete a comprehensive basic education in theater arts. The group, guided by director and actress Sanna Saarela, includes members with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Saarela explains that some of the youngest members were only seven when she took them under her wing in 2010. Typically, completing this theater program takes 12 years, but Titi-nallet has taken 15 years due to their slower pace.

The play showcases the journey of a young seagull into adulthood, drawing references from Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull” and Richard Bach’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” The themes touch upon pollution and climate change.

During rehearsals, a bond has formed among the group, who have become a close-knit community over the past 15 years. The idea for this inclusive theater group originated during a visit to a beautician’s office, and the ensemble will soon embark on their first international trip to Trondheim, Norway, thanks to support from Nordplus, a Nordic council program for lifelong learning and education. The prospect of graduation brings a mix of pride and melancholy for Saarela, as they navigate their final rehearsals before moving on to new chapters of their lives.