Children’s theater in front-line Okhtyrka helps children cope with war challenges

What is the problem?

Okhtyrka, a city in the Sumy region with a history spanning 48,000 years, is located near the Russian border. During the initial phase of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Okhtyrka was one of the first cities to endure the aggressor's attacks. For 30 days, it faced relentless shelling and airstrikes, leading to the complete destruction of the city administration, the local CHP, the cultural and leisure center, the local history museum, as well as numerous private homes and high-rise buildings. Despite these devastating attacks, Okhtyrka resisted and was never occupied by the enemy.

What is the solution?

The Asorti Theater, part of the Knezha City Culture and Leisure Center, operates in Okhtyrka. The theater's actors are mostly young children, who find it to be not only an engaging hobby but also a place to make new friends. Theater performances are attended by both adults and children from the community. Svitlana Korniyenko, the director of the children's theater Asorti, shared with Rubryka what theater's life has been like during the war.

How does it work?

The Asorti Theater is relatively young, having been established only a few years ago. Initially, both adults and children performed there, but as time went on, it became increasingly difficult for the adults to gather regularly. The children, however, remained enthusiastic about attending classes, leading the theater to gradually evolve into a children's theater.

The onset of Russia's full-scale war brought even more significant changes to the Asorti team. Some members fled the war and sought refuge abroad, while two young actors joined the ranks of the Ukrainian army. Today, the main cast consists of 16 children, aged 5 to 14. The remaining four adults, including Korniyenko, have become partners and supporters for the children.

"The theater provides an opportunity for live communication. Nowadays, children are constantly glued to gadgets, which have replaced their friends, walks, and active recreation. This has led to children speaking less clearly and becoming less emotional. They struggle to adapt to the world around them. However, the theater can spark emotions, curiosity about the environment, and interest in communication. It also helps to uncover creative abilities," says Svitlana Kornienko.

Korniyenko firmly believes that everyone has talents; it just takes careful observation to uncover them, to peel back the layers and see the individual's uniqueness. In times of war, the theater becomes a refuge for lost fairy tales, fantasies, and stolen dreams. "The theater is a world where the country of childhood still exists, and it's our duty as adults to return that to the children," says Korniyenko. She emphasizes that for children who have spent time in basements during bombings and have endured the horrors of war alongside adults, the theater is especially important.

"Before the war, we eagerly prepared musical performances for children, like 'The Sea is Calling,' 'Journey to the Jungle,' and others. On the eve of the full-scale invasion, we were rehearsing for the play 'Winter Farewell.' If someone had told me back in February 2022, while we were sheltering in the basement, that we would perform again, I would have found it hard to believe. But I kept seeing a large portrait of a ballerina that covered the basement window, and I thought of the little girl huddled with her mother as the shooting went on. Somewhere deep inside, a flicker of hope remained: one day, this story must be told. When, a few months later, the artists and I reunited (as those who had left returned home), I saw that the children had changed—they were more mature, serious, thoughtful, and… sad. Something had to be done immediately! But the conditions were challenging: air raid alarms, power outages. I still wonder how we managed," the theater manager recalls.

Despite the ongoing war, the Asorti Theater team resumed their work and began holding rehearsals once again. The theater welcomed new boys and girls who were eager to express themselves creatively, make new friends, and engage with like-minded peers.

"We have a shelter in the city center where we often hold rehearsals. Psychologically, it's very challenging, especially after a night when a Shaheed drone flew over your house or when you receive terrible news about another attack. But somehow, children seem to have a special kind of resilience. They adapt quickly and even manage to calm the adults," says Svitlana Kornienko.

During the war, the theater managed to stage three plays. However, Svitlana Kornienko holds "Several Stories About Mom" as the most memorable and meaningful. She recalls how, during the initial meetings, the children shared their experiences about the start of the war, their fears, tears, and stories about their loved ones. These conversations became the foundation for the production, with the script being co-written by all the theater participants.

This performance was presented in May 2023, on Mother's Day, and also carries the title "This Is War Through the Eyes of Children." The play captures the vivid memories etched in children's minds: pigeons stunned by an explosion, a child's eyes filled with despair because February 24—her birthday—was overshadowed by war, and a frightened rabbit in a cage that was carried everywhere, never left behind. Amidst all this, a mother is there to comfort, prepare treats, and feed the poor rabbit. 

With this heartfelt performance, the Asorti Theater won the 20th Jubilee All-Ukrainian Festival of Amateur Theaters "Theatrical Forum 2024," which took place in Hostomel, Kyiv region.

The young actors continue to perform in Okhtyrka, though gathering a large audience, as they once did, is now challenging, admits Korniyenko. Safety concerns make it difficult, but the theater has found a solution: the children now perform for smaller groups, and instead of the main stage, they use the lobby to stay closer to the shelter. When there's no electricity, a generator keeps the show going.

Their most recent performance was for internally displaced children from the border region and children with hearing impairments. It took place in the courtyard of the Red Cross Society, where they performed "Ivasyk-Telesyk," based on a Ukrainian folk tale. Asorti now plans to continue performing on small open stages, such as playgrounds and courtyards of high-rise buildings in the city, whenever possible.

"We never forget that we live in a frontline city. We feel both tension and restlessness. But over the past two years, we've learned how to cope with them. Besides, we know who we are—the children of a hero city! That knowledge inspires us and leaves no room for whining or losing heart. There are times when events are canceled, and everyone understands the reason without complaint," says the theater's director.

Does it really work?

"There is no question about the relevance of theater, especially children's theater, during wartime. The energy, the real emotions, the sense of mutual aid—they are all very much present! One moment they might be arguing (they are passionate about justice!), and the next, they're on stage, helping each other, prompting lines, or quickly picking up a fallen hat," shares Korniyenko.

According to her, the most important principle of the Asorti Theater is honesty—being truthful with the audience and with oneself. The director adds, "In my opinion, it's crucial to listen to children and, most importantly, to truly hear them. A child's heart holds countless dreams and desires, but also many anxieties and confusions. As adults, it's important for us to notice these and be present."

Some parents have noted that their children show little interest in most activities these days, but they eagerly rush to the theater group's classes.

"The theater group reveals talents in our children that we had never noticed before. All the young artists put in tremendous effort, even though it's difficult to allow yourself to dream during the war. But dreaming is one of the resources for restoring mental, spiritual, and moral health. I see how the children develop mutual respect, understanding, and support, which is so vital right now," comments Yana Romashko, a mother of three. Her 14-year-old son Sashko has been an actor in the theater for three years.

"Parents rejoice at every performance, every premiere, discovering something new in their child each time. Some children are shy, while others are overly emotional. It's essential to find the right approach for each one. Sometimes, we're not just solving creative challenges but psychological ones as well. My goal is to support a child who is growing up and learning about the world. Our young artists love interacting with the audience—especially their peers—hearing their feedback, and understanding the significance of what they're doing. After every performance, we conduct a detailed analysis. The children are encouraged to be self-critical," says Korniyenko.

Nastya is 9 years old, and her brother Alyosha is 12. They joined the theater studio during the war. Their mother, Alla Maksymenko, observes that over the past year, the children's memory has improved, they've become more self-confident, and their Ukrainian language skills have flourished. The children have also become more relaxed, are no longer afraid of crowds, and can communicate freely from the stage. Most importantly, they genuinely enjoy being in the theater.

Even more useful solutions!

Theater during the war helps us learn to see beauty even among the ruins, says Korniyenko. It teaches us to appreciate kindness and the simplest things. The theater participants' involvement in a project about homeless animals was especially valuable in this regard. In collaboration with the Okhtyrka non-governmental organization "The World of Homeless Animals," the artists created a video project titled "I Want to Have a Home." In this project, the children portrayed cats and dogs, telling real stories of homeless animals rescued by volunteers and soldiers from border areas and active combat zones.

The children were deeply moved by these difficult stories and conveyed them convincingly. As a result of their storytelling, some of the animals featured in the project found homes and new friends. This experience underscored the incredible power of art and its ability to make a tangible difference.

Looking ahead, the theater plans to prepare a New Year's performance. There are also many ideas for video projects, as the children enjoy shooting videos. One special project that Korniyenko hopes to realize is a performance based on poems written by Okhtyrka poets during the war.

"Classes in the theater group help raise our children to be honest, sensitive, hardworking, responsible, and creative. In their adult lives, they will approach everything with creativity, no matter what they choose to do. It is this kind of youth that will revive Ukraine and build its future. Our task is to plant the seed of goodness that will grow, to create conditions for creative development. Childhood should be joyful. This is like the foundation for a happy person," concludes Korniyenko.