In the spring of 2020 Covid-19 pandemic canceled all plans of the Odessa Yuri Olesha Theater for Young Spectators.

Fortunately, the theater has a small and cozy courtyard. The theater director O.Burlay-Piterova invited the theater troupe to play performances in the courtyard, in order to quarantine regulations will be observed.

The actors took it with enthusiasm. The courtyard was equipped – we made a small stage, prepared lighting and sound equipment, thought out how to arrange chairs in a safe mode, how to lead spectators into the theater courtyard.

Then we chose performances that can be shown on such a small stage with a minimum of decorations. So the theater prepared a new repertoire in a few weeks, especially for showing in the theater yard. The project was named: “Open readings in the Theater yard”.

During this summer project, Chekhov, Averchenko, Zoshchenko, Teffi and other writers were read and performed. These were nine (!) new performances. In parallel, performances of the current repertoire were played in the courtyard too.

Thanks to this project, the audience did not forget the way to our theater. Thus, the theater worked fruitfully in times of crisis and gained new experience.