About
Katimari Niskala (Espoo, 1993) is a performer and theatre artist based in Helsinki, Finland. As a freelancer, Katimari works as an actor, performer, director, visual and makeup artist, and pedagogue.
They studied physical theatre and scenography at École International de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France, and performing arts & pedagogy at Turku Arts Academy in Finland. Katimari has worked in collaborations in Turku, Helsinki, Paris, Ostroszowice, New York, Vermont and London. In 2019 and 2023, Katimari worked with director Robert Wilson and international artists at The Watermill Center, New York. Wilson influenced and inspired their work tremendously.
Specialized in movement, physical theatre and visual arts, Katimari takes a particular interest in combining multiple forms of art in their discipline. Grounded in the techniques of Jacques Lecoq and Robert Wilson, their practice investigates non-verbal communication and gestural storytelling. In the style of research and laboratory Katimari works to create stylized, thought-provoking pieces. Unlearning, deconstructing and healing are essential thematics to their works.
As a pedagogue, Katimari is committed to building safe, mindful spaces. They are competent as a teacher, creating supportive atmosphere and clear communication. They are multidisciplinary, versatile artist with passion for creative solutions.
PORTFOLIO
Resume
Education
2014 – 2019 Turku Arts Academy - Program in Performing Arts (BA), Degree Programme in Drama Instructing. Title: Drama Instructor & Pedagogue
2016 – 2018 École International de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq - Professional Course, two year training in Physical Theatre, including Full Mask, Half-mask, Gestural Language, Chorus, Bouffon, Burlesque, Absurd and Clown. Title: Actor & Professional of Theatre
2016 – 2017 École International de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Laboratory for the study of Movement - Department for experimental scenography. Studies of scenography, architecture, fine arts, object theatre and movement analysis
Selected theatre works
2023 UBU / Performer, Director: Robert Wilson / The Watermill Center, NY
2023 Veden virran velloma / Concept & performer / The Watermill Center, NY
2022 Elämän uni / Stage design & performer, Director: Martta Pesonen / HIT Helsinki
2022 CUT.IT.OFF. / AD, concept, text & performer: Katimari Niskala / Kokoteatteri, Helsinki
2021-2022 4:48 Psychosis / Actor, Director: Moe Mustafa / Kokoteatteri & Porin teatteri
2021 NSFW / Actor, Director: Anna Veijalainen / Kokoteatteri, Helsinki
2020 Coll Name Generator: Lierikolu / Devised collaboration / Levoteatteri, Helsinki
2020 Zambezi / Producer & production manager / Aleksanterinteatteri, Helsinki
2019 Nightingale / Performer, collaboration with Max Gabarre-Grindrod / Bow Art Raw Labs, London
2019 Woman on the Phone / Performer, Director: Bianca Casady & Irina Anufrieva / The Watermill Center, New York
2019 After Clearing the Internal Forests / Performer, Director: Naufus Ramirez-Figueroa / The Watermill Center, New York
2019 Tyttö ja tanssiva karhu / Director / Helsingin Kellariteatteri, Helsinki
2018 Minimal Act / Performing artist / École Jacques Lecoq & Centre George Pompidou Museum, Paris
2017 Archetypes / Performer / Wyspa Koni, Ostroszowice Poland
2017 Traverser la frontière / Performer / Crazy Compass Theatre, Paris
2014 – 2015 Meganin tarina / Actor, Director: Hilkka-Liisa Iivanainen / Turku City Theatre, Tampere International Theatre Festival 2015
2015 Radio Play: Meganin tarina / Voice actor / Turku City Theatre & Yle Broadcasting
Visual Works
2023 Veden Virran Velloma, Installation / The Watermill Center, NY
2022 Elämän Uni, Stage design / HIT Helsinki
2022 CUT.IT.OFF, Stage design / Kokoteatteri
2019 Worth Their Salt, Mixed Media / Bow Arts Raw Labs, London
2019 Bound, Cross-arts collaboration / Levoteatteri: Runokuvaa 3
Residencies & Teaching
2024 Theatre Museum, Helsinki / Workshop leader / Multiple workshops & Kulttuurin kummilapset - hanke
2023 Redukt_Studio, Helsinki / Artist-in-Residency / Raa’aksi olet tuleva - work-in-progress
2023 & 2019 Robert Wilson & The Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation, New York – International Summer Program / Multiple projects
2020 Kokoteatteri / Customer Service & Audience Work / NSFW, Aktivistinäytelmä 3
2019 Centre for the Study of Substructured Loss, Bow Art London - Artist-in-Residency / Echoed in Flesh and Fodder - exposition
2019 Bread & Puppet Theater - Visitor & Volunteer / Diagonal Life Circus
2018 Helsinki City Theater - Drama Instructor / Course on physical theatre
2016 Laajasalo Adult Education College - Drama Instructor / Course on physical theatre
Grants
2021 Arts Promotion Center Finland - Corona Grant, 6000 € / For stage creation & development of practice
2020 Arts Promotion Center Finland - Corona Grant, 3000 € / For the development of practice
2019 Arts Promotion Center Finland - Grant for Mobility, 2000 € / For travel expenses to The Watermill Center and Bread & Puppet Theater
TV and Film
2021 Roba / Yellow Film & TV / “Nurse”
2020-2021 Aikuiset / Yellow Film & TV / Assistant
2019 HOAS CRIBS Advertisement film / Grapevine Media Oy / Actor
2019 Pitkä perjantai – film / Director: Karim Saheb / Actor, “Red wine”
2018 Dracula – music video / Director: Karim Saheb / Assistant
2015 Kauneus sekoittaa mun pään – music video / Director: Jenni Kangasniemi / Assistant
Special skills
Physical Theatre
Mime, Movement analysis, Yoga, Acrobatics
Theatre Masks
Pedagogy & Workshops
Visual Art
Building a Scenic Design
Building a Visual Art Piece
Dance
2007 - 2013 Jazz, Show - dance, Balet, Hip hop at Helsinki Dance Institute and dance schools Footlight, DCA & StepUp.
2021 - 2024 Vogueing, SAIFFA Street Dance Center
Music
Ukulele as an instrument
2016 Diploma on the Theory of Music / Turku Conservatory
2016 Diploma on Classical Singing / Turku Conservatory
2011 - 2013 Rhythmical Singing, CVT-teacher Kaisa Huotari
Languages
Social Media:
Contact
Please contact me if you are interested in collaboration.
