Sandra Okuņeva, a lecturer at the University of Liepāja, literary scholar, remembers that she met V. Pētersoni when she was a 2nd grade student.
“I can say that I grew up in the creative atmosphere of the children’s dramatic group led by her, learning responsibility for my performance, strengthening my interest in theater and literature, experiencing a lot of important and interesting things,” notes S. Okuņeva, and remembers participating in performances both on the stage of the Liepāja Theater and on Latvian television, as well as in small and large cultural houses throughout Latvia, learning a lot of new things in almost all possible museums of Latvian creative personalities, because
the director has always made sure that during the long trips the students not only play shows, but also get rich.
“When I was already a teenager, the director involved me in the adult dramatic group, where I later played very beautiful and big roles in her productions – Ilzi R. Blaumaņi’s “The Lost Son”, Laila “A. Brigadier’s “When wives are strong” etc
I think that the interest created by her was also the basis for the fact that I entered the theater class and after three years of study returned to the Liepāja People’s Theater led by the director,” S. Okuņeva assesses.
“The director’s attentive attitude towards the written word, the requirement to justify one’s actions and to be attentive to partners, thoughts about what is important in human life, also neglecting tangible benefits and living “outside the box” – could be the lessons that influenced me the most.
During these more than ten years of joint activity, I grew up myself and witnessed the growth of my director: she successfully graduates directing studies in absentia, confidently leads the drama group to the honorable title of the People’s Theater, relentlessly stages bright shows and implements various new ideas. Later, I watched how the director enthusiastically educates the young people of Liepāja with the help of theater art.
Three weeks ago there was the final performance of the season of the Children’s Theater… A life full of self-sacrificing heart work. Thank you for that!”
Đirts Jēčis, who is currently the head of the food product production department at the company “Dobeles zirnavnieks”, remembers that he started working with the dramatic group, as it was called at school, when he was a 2nd grade student and continued until high school.
“At that time, I saw it as spending a good time after school, but V. Pētersone showed that theater is much more,”
believes G. Yečis, because through rehearsals she has instilled courage, speech skills, self-presentation and appreciation of others, which are invaluable skills even when growing up and building a career.
“V. Under Peterson’s leadership, I have performed in an extraordinary number of shows, and I remember two most vividly. One was a show where I played two completely opposite roles. I am amazed that I was entrusted with this as a child. And the last one, which went through many seasons, was The New Adventures of Piff, where I played Uncle Taunton. It was also the last role and show for me.
I must admit that the director managed to persuade me to perform with this play for two more seasons, when I had already decided to leave the theater group.”
G. Yečis remembers that
the director taught me to be strict and demanding, but at the same time caring and motivating.
“During the last 15 years, when the connection with Liepāja and everything that was once connected with it has completely disappeared, I always remembered my director when I visited theater performances. Unfortunately, I never got the time to meet her and thank her in person for her excellent work, which played a big role in shaping my personality.”
Madara Jansone from Liepāja also worked in the theater group led by V. Pētersones for almost 10 years. “Along with my involvement in this group, my love for theater art also grew, which has accompanied me throughout the rest of my life – both when I wanted to become an actress, and also now, applying the acquired experience, organizing and leading events,” admits M. Jansone.
The many years spent with the director are remembered as a very fun, sunny time, full of laughter and adventures. Rehearsals took place in a light and pleasant atmosphere, but premieres were awaited with excitement, because the director’s verdict always followed.
Although countless roles were played in “Winnie the Pooh”, “Bremen muzikantos”, “Nikniķas pasacinės”, etc., M. Jansone believes that the “role of a lifetime” with V. Pētersone was and will remain the good-natured dog Pif, who after many years was also played by the director on one of the anniversary occasions.
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