United Ukrainian Theater: Chaos

Language: English with Ukrainian subtitles In cooperation with: Empatia by Opora United Ukrainian Theater explores the chaotic, intimate and deeply human inner world of three women. Following the performance, we will have an open conversation about mental health in cooperation with the Empatia Program by Opora, an organization that offers mental health support to displaced Ukrainians. With actors, psychologists and the audience we will speak about how to recognize distress take care of yourself and support those around you. Chaos tells the story of three modern women – Annie, Diana and Nina , teacher, psychotherapist and playwright, who, due to various life circumstances, moved in a country called Chronic Stress. What connects a self-sufficient psychotherapist, a burned-out teacher, and a playwright on the verge of collapse? Expect raw truth, absurdity, fantasies, fears, and a musical journey that defies all rules. This performance inspired by the great works of David Lynch, Lars Von Trier, Elfriede Jelinek, Edward Albee and Mika Christian Mullila will leave you changed. Author and Director: Yasha Gudzenko Actresses: Alesia Andrushevska, Elena Rechych, Milena Kompaniiets Agents of chaos: Milana Mezentsova, Dimitriy Kiriakov, Arina Kiriakova Special guest: Kyle MacLachlan Financial support: Nederlands Letterenfonds Video artist: Nadia Bakhshi DOP: Eduard Bukhanets Art Support: Paulien Geerling, Marjolein van Bommel, Loes Nooij, Caspar van Gemund Stichting United Ukrainian Theatre United Ukrainian Theatre is a group of Ukrainian professional theater makers which was organized by the Ukrainian theatre director Gudzenko Yasha. The group consists of four regular members Yasha and three other Ukrainian actresses Alesia Andrushevska, Milena Kompaniiets and Elena Ryechych. From 2022 United by a common misfortune, namely forced immigration due to the outbreak of war in Ukraine, these women united in order to continue to support each other and create theatrical projects in the Netherlands. About the speakers Yulia Bondar is a psychologist & mediator from Empatia Program, an innovative program dedicated to improving the mental health of Ukrainians displaced by war. She is working at the intersection of mental health, cultural sensitivity, and social change. She combines therapeutic insight with activist experience to foster meaningful, inclusive dialogue. Yasha Gudzenko is a professional theatre director originally from Ukraine. She is an alumna of the ETC and the BUZZ Youth Theatre Artists Lab, and a member of the Theatre Association of Ukraine. Since 2023, she has been the founder and artistic director of the United Ukrainian Theatre in Amsterdam. Over the course of her professional career, she has directed more than 20 productions, not only in Ukraine and Amsterdam but also in Denmark and Germany. In addition to directing, she is also an acting instructor and continues to teach drama. Milena Kompaniiets is a Ukrainian stage and film actress, and recipient of the Silver Krekel award for her theatre work with Moniek Merkx in the Dutch production Love XL. In 2023, she received the Golden Dziga award for Best Short Film. Milena works across theatre, film, and international independent projects, and has also dedicated several years to hospital clowning. She holds two academic degrees — one in directing and one in psychology. Today, she combines her acting career with a private psychological practice.