Tampere-talo and Sasky extend Don Carlos set collaboration

The workflow starts with spring production sketches; in May the plans move to Sasky’s Sastamala campus where set construction teacher Mauri Mäkelä reviews the project and students select tasks that cover multiple techniques. Tampere-talo covers materials, students build the set pieces as part of their studies, and in autumn the completed elements are transported to Tampere Hall, with some students taking part in final assembly and mounting later in the year. Mäkelä says the collaboration is structured to maximize learning, encouraging students to engage in a wide range of work steps and technologies. The aim is for the students to gain authentic work experience through a real production, while Tampere-talo gains a substantial supply of ready-made scenery. The arrangement has already yielded tangible benefits, including employment opportunities for graduates from Sasky, with three former Sasky students currently working on the production. The partnership is framed as a reliable, long-term educational channel. Mäkelä notes that Tampere-talo provides yearly opportunities for students to work with professionals, and the projects are planned to be completed by Christmas. He highlights two standout pieces from the Don Carlos sets: a high-backed red chair with gilded buttons and a candlestick-trion, both created by blending wood, metal, styrofoam, and varied rope materials. He adds that the collaboration is rewarding because it lets students see their work evolve into a real artistic object. For students, the experience is transformative. First-year student Lilli Mettinen recalls seeing how a major professional theatre operates and how sets are built, saying the Tampere-talo internship strengthened her skills and problem-solving abilities and clarified the scale of work behind commissioned sets. Second-year student Aaro Mikander emphasizes patience and teamwork, noting the many stages and collaborators involved, and describing challenges such as moving large prints with hidden seams and designing supporting structures. Both see the experience as a valuable bridge to future employment and encourage others to participate. The release closes with a commitment to continue the collaboration, underscoring the value Sasky places on working with Tampere-talo to provide students with genuine work experience and contribute high-quality scenery to professional productions.