Rituals of Transition | “New Folder (4)” Festival

A young couple grieving the loss of their baby decide to move from the big city to the town of Staunshed. They hope that this “escape” will help them not only let go of the past sooner, but also find new strength to mend their crumbling relationship. But is that really still possible? Was what happened to them a sign sent by someone? And is it a coincidence that they chose to come to Staunshed in particular? Staunshed is no ordinary town. Nor are the people who live here. It is a place where nature plays a special role: through it, the otherworldly speaks to us, sends signs, warns us, and reshapes things. Perhaps it is a natural anomaly, perhaps a cursed place—or perhaps, on the contrary, it is purgatory, a waystation between worlds. Whatever it may be, everything here has its order; every action has a reaction, the laws of nature apply, and nothing happens by chance. So what awaits the newcomers?

According to director Paulius Pinigis: “The play explores an extremely sensitive and complex subject: a person in a liminal state. It is a state of being ‘in between’—when the old way of life no longer applies and the new one has not yet begun. This is especially keenly felt when grieving the loss of someone close, going through a divorce, trying to let go of unfulfilled life goals or dreams, receiving a diagnosis of a serious illness, or experiencing an identity or existential crisis. Being in a liminal state, in one form or another, is unavoidable for people; the big question is how we should emerge from it and go on living. That is what this play is about. How do we keep going? How do we find a new path? How do we find the strength to move forward? How do we avoid getting stuck in a liminal state? And if we do get stuck there, does that mean we are still living, or simply waiting for everything to end?”

Paulius Pinigis is a director and actor originally from Panevėžys. In 2015, he completed acting studies (course leader V. Masalskis) at Klaipėda University. In 2016, he completed a master’s degree in directing at Klaipėda University. Since 2014, he has worked at Klaipėda Youth Theatre and as a freelance actor throughout Lithuania. He has performed more than thirty roles in theatres across Lithuania and in film. Since 2019, he has worked at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, teaching acting. He began directing actively in 2020; his principal productions include “Waiting for Godot”, “Lighthouse”, “Confession”, “A Summer’s Day” and “Conscripts”. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. Review of the play: “About Anna and the White Elk”.