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On October 11, 2024, near the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, a street performance took place that anyone could witness. Students from the ‘Theater and Film Acting’ specialty, groups TA-23 and TA-63 of the Vitovska-Vantsa Workshop, led by Irma Hryhorivna and Kateryna Petrivna Chepura, established their own street theater called ‘Fools’ and presented the university’s first-ever open-air performance in its plaza.

The director was Kateryna Petrivna Chepura, an assistant at the Department of Directing, a nominee for the Kyiv Pectoral Award for Best Directorial Debut, and a public activist. Their debut performance was based on scenes from William Shakespeare’s plays, specifically those featuring fool characters, such as the Fool Lavash and Countess Rousillon from ‘All’s Well That Ends Well.’

Notably, the students created their mobile stage in just five days. The stage consisted of three small levels of different heights, allowing actors to move easily to the top. Each plank was painted with unique patterns and colors, blending Ukrainian and European cultural styles. A central flagpole displayed a handmade flag with the word ‘Fool,’ crafted by the young actors themselves. They used this flag, along with a box placed nearby, as props for various theatrical actions. Colorful ribbons tied to the flagpole and beams completed the scene decor, flowing with the wind.

Some costumes were found by the students themselves, while others were provided by Kateryna Petrivna. This portion of the props was stylized to represent different social classes from the Middle Ages.

The young actors were highly enthusiastic about creating an immersive experience for the audience, enhancing their skills directly on stage. For the students, this was a significant step forward, and they were thrilled that this adventurous initiative succeeded. They noted that other universities do not typically engage with street theater in this way.