From Oulu to Toronto: Performance welcomes students from Finland
In a dynamic cross-cultural exchange, Performance at The Creative School welcomed students from Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK) (external link, opens in new window) in Finland to collaborate with local peers and push creative boundaries. This unique travel intensive, supported by Erasmus+, is part of an ongoing partnership that previously saw Performance students travel to Oulu, Finland, in November 2024.
OAMK students performing at the SLC Studio Theatre
OAMK students bring Nordic storytelling to The Creative School
During their visit this February, OAMK students developed and presented a 20-minute adaptation of a Finnish folk tale in the Studio Theatre. Petiossa used dance, live music, and projections to merge Nordic storytelling traditions with innovative performance techniques.
Performance Design and Production Associate Professor Michael Bergman emphasizes that these international exchanges are critical in helping students gain fresh perspectives by engaging directly with diverse people, places, and cultures. "By stepping into unfamiliar contexts, students not only deepen their own understanding but also discover how their voices can contribute meaningfully to global dialogues,” he says.
Poster for Petiossa, a multidisciplinary performance by OAMK students taking place at the Performance Studio Theatre, The Creative School, TMU
Design and Production students take the stage in Finland
In November 2024, Design and Production students travelled to Oulu, Finland, to collaborate with OAMK peers in developing a performance installation for the AVARA 2024 conference and festival.
These students worked closely with Professor Bergman throughout the fall semester to research, design, and refine their creative concepts as part of Production Technique VII, THP 401/301. Once in Finland, they presented their work at AVARA while engaging in discussions on art, technology, and wellness alongside European artists and scholars.
Design and Production students showcase work at AVARA 2024 in Oulu, Finland
Beyond their performance, the students had the unique opportunity to attend the LUMO festival, a city-wide celebration of light art, and were welcomed as guests of the City of Oulu at an official reception at city hall. "Often, the true impact of these experiences becomes clear only years later," Bergman reflects. "My hope is always that these opportunities inspire students to remain curious and keep exploring."
The Power of Global Collaboration in Creativity
This unique collaboration between The Creative School and OAMK exemplifies how international experiences push artistic boundaries and expand creative perspectives.
Performance Design and Production students at AVARA 2024 in Oulu, Finland
As the School of Performance continues to foster international collaborations, these initiatives highlight the importance of cross-border artistic dialogue in shaping the next generation of performers and creators.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.
