I was born in Samogitia, in Telsiai, Lithuania. Most likely it was a cold day, since it happened on January 4, 1956. I am not only a Capricorn, but I feel I have the typical personality of a Samogitian - stubborn and patient. My father has five sisters, and one of them is also "Ona." I guess that in her honor I was the second Onutë Puèkoriûtë in the family.
A few of my aunts, an uncle and a couple cousins are professional artists. I was destined to become an actress. In 1979 I graduated from the Lithuanian Conservatory, now called the Music Academy, where I received a diploma in professional theatrical performing. This was supplemented by a specialization in puppetry. As of this autumn, 1999, it has been 20 years since I graduated and began working at the puppet theater of Vilnius, Lithuania, "Lele" (Puppet).
Over the years the theater has traveled not only all over Lithuania, but to many countries, representing our culture. We have attempted to show what we take pride in, what is beautiful, what is educational and good, what is common to all people and has long-lasting value in any part of the world.
Since 1974 we have performed in Germany, India, Africa, England, Denmark, the United States and other countries. We have participated in many international festivals. During a festival in Estonia, our performance of "A Circus Is a Circus," in which I play one of the leading roles, Ca-Ca (Goody-Goody), received the highest award.
Throughout the years I have spent at the theater "Puppet," the roles which have made a long-lasting impression in my mind are: the queen in E.T.A. Hoffman’s "The Nutcracker and the King of Knives???," Omolis in R. Tagore’s "The Post Office", Jonelis in Sigitas Geda’s "Ak, vija pinavija," Ca-Ca in Antanas Jonynas’ and Vitalijus Mazuras’ "A Circus Is a Circus,", The Little Fool in Wilhelm Hauff’s "Cold Heart." I have participated in numerous television puppet shows and New Year’s Eve programs.
Our theater does not hold itself to a single technique of puppet handling. Puppets are a form of expressing an actor’s limited capabilities more fully and more universally. I often stand next to a puppet, not backstage, while I am revive its soul, and it broadens my forms of expression. In this long span of time I have handled many various marionettes,
string puppets, hand puppets
and shadow puppets, I have been a puppet myself behind a mask or stage make-up.
Government financing allowed our theater to avoid commercialization, to take upon itself the task of solving serious dilemmas, taking them through the prism of art. With the help of talented artists, composers and puppet masters, we have received many high awards and acknowledgements.
Besides work in a troupe, I have been involved in independent projects for many years. I have many ideas,
however, as is often the case, they have not been realized due to a lack of financing. To assist the situation I began preparing short miniatures
with puppets that the theater no longer uses, giving them new personalities and lives.
Artist friends, fully understanding the current financial situation in the art field, also supported me as much as they could. With the puppets I have received as gifts from them,
I have been able to donate time sharing pleasant moments with handicapped children and their parents.
After a long search for funds, I was finally able to bring my first idea to life. This was the well-known "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen. With the help of friends, professional artists, composers and puppet masters, "The Little Mermaid" saw the light of day in summer of 1996.
It has already been shown to children and adults of Lithuania, Byelorussia, Canada and the United States. I have participated in a few international festivals as well. The majority of the performances were shown free of charge.
My next project was "Moments" (on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Pushkin’s death), and "Daughter of the Earth," my long-awaited performance for adults, which I have carried inside me and brought to maturity over many years.
I have been a member of the Independent Theater Association for four yeas now. I have participated in many international theater festivals for children, youths and the handicapped, "Us" and "Tears of the Sun" as an actress, member of the jury and director. I am also a member of the Lithuanian Theatrical Union.
This page last time was updated on 01/06/00.