YLIOPPILASTEATTERI ENTRANCE EXAMS

 26.–30.8.2026 

Information about entrance exams in Finnish here

Would you like to become part of a diverse, unruly, and fearless artistic community in the heart of Helsinki—one that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year? Ylioppilasteatteri is once again looking for new members this fall!

We’re looking for people from a wide range who have a soft spot for theater and are willing to commit to the Ylioppilasteatteri community. In addition to actors, we are looking for a wide variety of artistic designers – check the preliminary assignments for the full list!

Schedule

BEFORE THE EXAMS

  • SIGN UP BEFORE FRI 21ST AUGUST 6.00PM

    Also note that the first preliminary assignment and pre-information form should be attached to the sign up form

  • Dramaturgs:  send in the second preliminary assignment on 25th August 23.59 latest

THE ENTRANCE EXAMS 26.–30.8.2026

  • I PART Wed 26th – Fri 28th August

    Applicants are invited to the first part of the exam on one evening Wed 26th – Fri 30th of August. You’ll get your personal arrival time o the weekend after the sign up form is closed

  • II PART Sat 29th August

    If you make it to the second part, please reserve time from Saturday morning until early evening

  • III PART Sun 30th August

    Be prepared to dedicate the whole day to the exams on sunday

    The results will be published the same evening!

Information on the selections and possible extra assignments after Friday and Saturday will be sent via email. Please check your mail throughout the process <3 Check also your junk mail.

YLIOPPILASTEATTERI MEMBERSHIP

Where am I applying to?

The autumn for new members begins immediately after the entrance process with two orientation weeks during Weeks 36–37. These include an introduction to the theatre's facilities and working practices, as well as a range of artistic workshops.

After the orientation period, rehearsals for the new members' production take place during Weeks 38–44, followed by the performance run in Weeks 44–46. Additional performances in January 2027 are possible.

Rehearsals and performances are held up to 4–5 evenings a week on weekdays, typically from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm, with occasional weekend sessions as well. In addition, new members take part in the theatre's summer production at Mustikkamaa Summer Theatre between May and August.

The theatre's activities therefore require a significant commitment during the first year—but they are equally rewarding.

Ylioppilasteatteri doesn’t have membership fees – instead, every member is required to volunteer at the theatre (approximately 1h/month) and take part in the maintenance throughout the year. New members should also take part in general meetings of the theatre every month.

Ylioppilasteatteri is different from other student theatres due to its professional leadership. The members choose an artistic director for a three-year period. The artistic director/-s take care of the main productions and lead the house together with a professional producer and the board of the theatre. Currently the artistic directors of Ylioppilasteatteri are actor Anna Kankila and dramaturg Ronja Louhivuori.

If you’d like to get to know our theatre and our work, we warmly welcome you to come and see Lapualaisoopperan kummitus at Mustikkamaa summer theatre until 19th August. Tickets are often available at the door, even for sold-out performances.

How to apply & preliminary assignments

Sign up

Fill in the sign up form before Fri 21st August 6.00pm!

Take some time filling the form & also note that the first preliminary assignment has to be attached to the form

Download the pre-information form from our website and upload it, together with the first pre-assignment, as part of your application. Remember to attach a headshot of yourself to the applicant information form

Invitation to the first part of the exams is sent via email to everyone who has signed up in time. Information on selections and possible extra assignments are also sent via email – please check your mail during the exams. Check also your junk mail.


Preliminary assignments

Choose one of the preliminary assignment categories based on your skills or interests. If no category suits you, you can choose alternative assignments. You’ll find detailed assignments and source materials clicking the link; the source materials are the same for each category.

Questions?

If anything’s unclear, feel free to contact our producer tuottaja@ylioppilasteatteri.fi <3