Tiina Puumalainen (born 1966) is a Finnish theatre director and a playwright. She has directed drama, opera and musicals for the stage.
Education: Master of Arts in directing, Helsinki Theatre Academy 1995-1999
Coming up next: Contemporary drama (premiere April 2nd, 2025) for The Finnish National Theatre and a drama & dance performance (premiere February 6th, 2025) for Hämeenlinna Theatre.
Selected latest works as a director
2024 Tiina Puumalainen & Hanna Suutela: The Cranes (drama), The Finnish National Theatre 2024 Tiina Puumalainen: The Scarlet Thread of Murder (drama), a new play inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle, Hämeenlinna Theatre 2023 Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner: Sister Act (musical), Vaasa City Theatre 2023 William Shakespeare: Lear (drama), additional credits: translation, The Finnish National Theatre 2022 August Strindberg: The Dance of Death (drama & dance), additional credits: translation, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2021 Anthony McCarten: The Pope (drama), Turku City Theatre 2020 Tiina Puumalainen: Aalto, Don't Forget to Play! (postdramatic performance), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2019 Sophocles: Antigone (drama), additional credits: translation, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2019 William Shakespeare: The Tempest (drama), additional credits: translation, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2018 Jennifer Haley: The Nether (drama), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2017 Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe: The Phantom of the Opera, Göteborgsoperan 2017 Karl Müller-Berghaus: Die Kalewainen in Pochjola (opera), Turku Music Festival 2017 Tuomas Kyrö: The Grump's Finland (drama), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2016 Joe Masteroff, Fred Ebb & John Kander: Cabaret (musical), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2015 Arturo Pérez-Reverte: Tango de la Guardia Vieja (drama & dance). Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2015 Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe: The Phantom of the Opera, Finnish National Opera 2015 Orvokki Autio: Valokuvavarkaat (drama), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2014 Andrew Lloyd Webber - Tim Rice: Evita (musical), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2013 Marshall Brickman - Rick Elice - Andrew Lippa: The Addams Family (musical), additional credits: translation (dialogue), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2013 Prosper Mérimée - Puumalainen: Carmen (drama & dance), additional credits: script, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2012 Sofi Oksanen - Jüri Reinvere: Purge (opera), Finnish National Opera 2012 Joseph Conrad - Puumalainen: Heart of Darkness (drama), additional credits: script, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2011 Aino Kallas: The Wolf's Bride (drama & dance), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2011 Mika Waltari: Gabriel, tule takaisin! (drama), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2010 Ingmar Bergman: Fanny and Alexander (drama), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2010 John Kander - Fred Ebb - Bob Fosse: Chicago (musical), Tampereen Työväen Teatteri 2009 Puumalainen: Laulu Suomelle (television / drama), additional credits: script, Yle / drama (TV for the Finnish Broadcasting Company)
Additional works
Libretto: Pohjanmaan kautta / The Bootleggers, Ilmajoki Opera 2003 & 2004 Play: Isyyspakkaus / Daddy's manual, Alexander's Theatre Helsinki 2012 Script editor / writer / director also for several independent productions
Puumalainen was the theatre manager of Seinäjoki City Theatre for 1999-2001 and the artistic manager of Alexander's Theatre 2005-2012.
Awards
The Order of the Lion of Finland, knight first class, 2009
References