Krõõt Juurak: "Lesson"

"Lesson" is a lesson – not in the sense of studying but rather like classes at school, where you simply sit out the time and are forced to do so as a group. Correspondingly, Krõõt Juurak takes on the role of teacher, not because they have any knowledge to impart but because they simply take on the role. Initially, the title of the piece was "Performance Therapy" – but then Juurak noticed that theatre is a bit like school and vice versa. The rehearsal process for "Lesson" incorporated insights from psychoanalytic sessions spanning more than two years, with therapy in this case being the ‘material’ or "rehearsal" for the performance. Juurak also realised that therapy essentially means education because everything else can be googled. "Lesson" is located at the interface of school, therapy, and stand-up comedy. The issue of authenticity, the ability to be moved, to laugh, to cry or to remain indifferent, is crucial for this piece.