Điauliai Drama Theater was found in September 23, 1931. K. Gocis tragicomic fairy tail ‘Princess Turandot’ directed by B. Dauguvietis was shown at the first opening night. The theater has become the distinct culture center in North Lithuania since its first season. It carries out wide educational mission, performs a lot of plays, and goes on tours.
In 1935 the theater moved to Klaipëda where it worked successfully and productively. It was forced to return to Điauliai because of Hitlerian Germany occupation in 1939. The theater building and library were burnt down, creative work ceased during the war.
Long and miscellaneous period of the Soviet regime lasted after the war. The sock of plays was varied and despite different taboos the level of creation was held and first stage stars appeared: Elena Bindokaitë, Vanda Venckutë, Stasys Paska; the most famous Điauliai theater legend was Potencija Pinkauskaitë etc. Kazys Jurđys, Vladas Limantas, Josifas Seinas were active stage directors at that time (1949-1958). The distinctive attention should be paid to the work of the actor and stage director Kazimieras Tumkevičius. He has produced over 30 plays, created more than 100 parts, and formed the theater library, archive.
From 1964 till 1971 the theater was managed by Mamertas Karklelis, a new generation director educated by GITIS. He created over 20 plays (V. Krëvë ‘Son-in-law’, K. Inčiűra ‘Eglë, Queen of Grass-snake’, V. Rimkevičius ‘Forest Cutters’, etc.).
The artist and script author Joana Taujanskienë had worked at the theater for 25 years. She formatted 104 staging of different stage directors (F. Đileris ‘Don Carl’, V. Krëvë ‘Son-in-law’, V. Rimkevičius ‘Forest Cutters’, K. Goldonio ‘Feuding at Kjodzija’, etc.).
From 1974 till 1979 there was the golden age at Điauliai theater. Stage director Aurelija Ragauskaitë leaded the creative work (V. Mykolaitis-Putinas ‘Monarch’, B. Sruoga ‘Foreign Resort’, N. Jasinskis ‘Like the Bloom of a Cherry-tree’, P. Vaičiűnas ‘Resurrection’, etc.).
Saulius Varnas became the supreme stage director at the theater in 1980. He staged 19 plays during his 10 year creation activity (E. Radzinskis ‘Luninas or Zakas’ death’, G. Biuchneris ‘Voicekas’, Bz. Baironas ‘Kainas’, I. Bergmanas ‘Strawberry Loan’, etc.).
Stage director Regina Steponaviciűtë has worked at Điauliai theatre for 30 years (since 1972). She has staged over 30 plays (H. Zudermanas ‘Jonas and Erdme’, J. O’Nilo ‘Love under Elms’, J. Tumas-Vaiţgantas ‘Uncles and Aunts’, Z. Koktas ‘Awful Parents’ Dz. E. Steinbekas ‘Mice and People’, Solom-Aleichemas ‘Tevje Milkman’, A. Vienuolis ‘Veronika’, R. Harlingas ‘Steel Magnolias’, H. Fiheiredas ‘Ezopas’, etc.).
Rolandas Atkočiűnas creative input should be mentioned (1994-200). He staged 7 plays (A. Fugardas ‘People Live Here’, K. Ostrauskas ‘Cicinskas’, L. Pirandelas ‘Henry IV’, T. Ratiganas ‘Lady without Camellias’, A. Fugardo ‘Dimetas’, etc.).
Today Điauliai drama Theater is a stock theater witch has 20 plays (5-6 of them are meant for children) on its current stock. 390 plays have been created during 70 years of work. Many external stage directors work at the theater: P. Stoicevas (Switzerland), S. Račkys, Vytautas V. Landsbergis, P. Pociűnas, etc. The most famous plays: S. Dupuis ‘Second Banishment’ (stage director P. Stoicevas), A. Čechovas ‘Three Sisters’, J. Hasekas ‘Juozapas Sveikas’, Ilfa and Petrovas ‘Golden Steer’ (stage dir. S. Rackys), H. Fiheiredas ‘Ezopas’ (stage dir. R. Steponaviciute), ‘Doctor and Margaryt, Borisas Vijanas ‘Lily Romance’ (stage dir. V.V. Landsbergis), etc.
23 actors (13 women, 10 men) work at the theater. The most outstanding personalities are: F. Laurinaitytë, S. Jakubauskas, J. Ţibuda, P. Piaulokas, I. Norkutë, D. Jančiauskas, J. Budriűnaite, A. Venckus, etc. The personnel include over 80 employees of various professions.
Planned first-nights are: J. Erlickas ‘History of Lithuania’ (stage dir. R. Steponavičiűtë), H. Ibsenas ‘Brandas’ (stage dir. M. Tenisonas).
