# Tiit Ojasoo

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**Tiit Ojasoo** (born 28 August 1977) is an Estonian theatre director, stage pedagogue and academic. He co-founded and served as an artistic leader of [Theatre NO99](/source/Theatre_NO99), and since 2022 has been a professor of dramatic art at the [Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre](/source/Estonian_Academy_of_Music_and_Theatre).[1][2][3]

Working closely with the artist and director [Ene-Liis Semper](/source/Ene-Liis_Semper), Ojasoo became associated with politically engaged, postdramatic theatre that was influential in 21st-century Estonia.[4][5] Scholars of Estonian theatre have described NO99 as one of the country's most acclaimed theatre companies and as an important participant in Estonia's theatrical public sphere.[6][5] Its 2010 project *Unified Estonia Assembly* drew 7,200 people and has been described as one of the largest theatre events in modern European theatre history.[4]

Under the artistic leadership of Ojasoo and Semper, NO99 toured widely in Europe and appeared in the main programme of the [Festival d'Avignon](/source/Festival_d'Avignon) in 2015.[7][8] Ojasoo has received the Estonian state cultural award and the [Order of the White Star](/source/Order_of_the_White_Star), 3rd Class, and in 2024 shared the [Estonian Theatre Union](/source/Estonian_Theatre_Union)'s directing award for *Macbeth*.[9][10][11]

## Early life and education

Ojasoo was born in [Pärnu](/source/P%C3%A4rnu).[1] He graduated from [Pärnu Koidula Gymnasium](/source/P%C3%A4rnu_Koidula_Gymnasium) in 1995.[12] He studied classical philology at the [University of Tartu](/source/University_of_Tartu) in 1995–1996 and then trained in stage direction at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, receiving a BA in 2000 and an MA in 2003.[2]

## Career

After graduating, Ojasoo worked as a director at the [Estonian Drama Theatre](/source/Estonian_Drama_Theatre) and taught acting at the academy's drama school.[2] In 2004 he and Semper took over the state-funded theatre Vanalinnastuudio and set about reorganising it as Theatre NO99, which formally operated from 2005 until 2018.[13][6][2]

According to Eva-Liisa Linder, NO99 under Ojasoo introduced a new style of postdramatic political theatre to Estonia, addressing subjects such as capitalism, civil society, racism, nationalism and energy politics.[4] Linder has also identified NO99 as a key institution in the development of Estonia's theatrical public sphere after 2005.[5]

In 2010 Ojasoo, Semper and the dramaturge [Eero Epner](/source/Eero_Epner) created the NO99 project *Unified Estonia Assembly*, a staged political movement and mass meeting that received wide public attention.[4] In 2011 the three received the Estonian state cultural award for the project.[9]

NO99 developed a strong international profile under Ojasoo and Semper. The company appeared in the main programme of the [Festival d'Avignon](/source/Festival_d'Avignon) in 2015, at the Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS) in Brussels in 2016 and at Biennale Teatro in 2017, and won the Grand Prix at the [Prague Quadrennial](/source/Prague_Quadrennial) in 2015 and the [Europe Theatre Prize](/source/Europe_Theatre_Prize) for New Theatrical Realities in 2017.[7][8] NO99 announced its closure in 2018.[14]

After NO99, Ojasoo continued directing at the Estonian Drama Theatre and in academy-related projects. His later productions include *Crime and Punishment* (2020, with Semper), *72 days* (2022), *Macbeth* (2023, with Semper and conductor [Olari Elts](/source/Olari_Elts)), *Vend Antigone, ema Oidipus* (2023), and *Eneseabiõpik* (2025).[15][16][17][18][19] Since 2022 he has been professor of dramatic art at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.[2][3]

## Public controversy

In June 2016, [ERR](/source/Estonian_Public_Broadcasting) reported that criminal proceedings had been opened earlier that year after Ojasoo assaulted an actress connected with NO99.[20] The proceedings ended in conciliation, and later that month Ojasoo resigned as head of NO99, while remaining with the theatre as a director.[21][22] In 2018 his involvement in the artistic programme for Estonia's centenary Independence Day reception led to an open letter signed by 104 people and renewed public debate.[23]

## Selected productions

- *Julia* ([Estonian Drama Theatre](/source/Estonian_Drama_Theatre), 2004)[2][24]
- *Unified Estonia Assembly* (Theatre NO99, 2010)[4]
- *The Rise and Fall of Estonia* (Theatre NO99, 2011)[2]
- *Crime and Punishment* ([Estonian Drama Theatre](/source/Estonian_Drama_Theatre), 2020; with Semper)[15]
- *72 days* ([Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre](/source/Estonian_Academy_of_Music_and_Theatre), 2022; with Semper)[16]
- *Macbeth* ([Estonian Drama Theatre](/source/Estonian_Drama_Theatre), [Estonian National Symphony Orchestra](/source/Estonian_National_Symphony_Orchestra) and Estonian Concert, 2023; with Semper and Elts)[17][11]
- *Vend Antigone, ema Oidipus* ([Estonian Drama Theatre](/source/Estonian_Drama_Theatre), 2023)[18]
- *Eneseabiõpik* ([Estonian Drama Theatre](/source/Estonian_Drama_Theatre), 2025)[19]

## Awards and honours

- [Estonian Theatre Union](/source/Estonian_Theatre_Union) directing award for *Julia* (2005)[24]
- [Ants Lauter Prize](/source/Ants_Lauter_Prize) (2006)[25]
- Estonian Theatre Union directing award for *GEP* (2008)[26]
- Estonian state cultural award, with Semper and Epner, for *Unified Estonia Assembly* (2011)[9]
- [Order of the White Star](/source/Order_of_the_White_Star), 3rd Class (2016)[10]
- Estonian Theatre Union directing award, with Semper and Elts, for *Macbeth* (2024)[11]

## References

1. ["Tiit Ojasoo"](https://www.elab.ee/inimene/4886/tiit-ojasoo/) (in Estonian). *Eesti Lavastuste Andmebaas*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Tiit Ojasoo"](https://eldliit.ee/Liikmete%20nimekiri/tiit-ojasoo/) (in Estonian). *Eesti Lavastajate ja Dramaturgide Liit*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Tiit Ojasoo"](https://eamt.ee/en/people/tiit-ojasoo/). *Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. Linder, Eva-Liisa (2013). ["How Theatre Develops Democracy: The Case of Theatre NO99"](https://tidsskrift.dk/nts/article/view/110900). *Nordic Theatre Studies*. **25** (1): 84–96. [doi:10.7146/nts.v25i1.110900](https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v25i1.110900)

1. Linder, Eva-Liisa (2019). ["Three Phases of the Theatrical Public Sphere in Estonian Theatre"](https://tidsskrift.dk/nts/article/view/113002). *Nordic Theatre Studies*. **31** (1): 73–91. [doi:10.7146/nts.v31i1.113002](https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v31i1.113002)

1. Toome, Hedi-Liis (2023). ["The Rise and Fall of Theatre NO99 in Estonia: A Case of Political and Discursive Change"](https://tidsskrift.dk/nts/article/view/137925). *Nordic Theatre Studies*. **34** (1): 66–77. [doi:10.7146/nts.v34i1.137925](https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v34i1.137925)

1. Pesti, Madli (2020). ["Theatre NO99's Savisaar: An Estonian Political Musical for the Twenty-First Century"](https://dspace.ut.ee/bitstreams/514ccf78-c4ed-4a80-ae1c-75e87e422a2f/download). *World Political Theatre and Performance*. Aragay, Mireia (ed.). Leiden; Boston: Brill Rodopi. pp. 164–180.

1. [*Programme 2015*](https://festival-avignon.com/storage/document/4//17604_programme_fa_2015.pdf) (in French). Festival d'Avignon. 2015. p. 18. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Riigi kultuuripreemiate määramine"](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/321022011010) (in Estonian). *Riigi Teataja*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Presidendi riiklikud autasud"](https://teater.ee/uudised/presidendi-riiklikud-autasud/) (in Estonian). *Eesti Teatri Agentuur*. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Selgusid Eesti teatri auhindade laureaadid"](https://www.teatriliit.ee/uudised/selgusid-eesti-teatri-auhindade-laureaadid-1) (in Estonian). *Eesti Teatriliit*. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Vilistlased 1995"](https://koidulag.edu.ee/et/vilistlased-1995) (in Estonian). *Pärnu Koidula Gümnaasium*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. Saro, Anneli (2023). ["Building an Ideal Theatre: The Case of the Theatre NO99"](https://tidsskrift.dk/nts/article/view/141663). *Nordic Theatre Studies*. **34** (2): 66–78. [doi:10.7146/nts.v34i2.141663](https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v34i2.141663)

1. ["Theatre NO99 to close its doors"](https://news.err.ee/873369/theatre-no99-to-close-its-doors). *ERR News*. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Crime and Punishment - Semper, Ojasoo"](https://draamateater.ee/en/lavastus/kuritoo-ja-karistus/). *Estonian Drama Theatre*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["72 days"](https://draama.ee/programme-2022/72-days). *Draama Festival*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Macbeth"](https://www.draamateater.ee/en/lavastus/macbeth/). *Estonian Drama Theatre*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Vend Antigone, ema Oidipus"](https://www.draamateater.ee/lavastus/vend-antigone-ema-oidipus/) (in Estonian). *Estonian Drama Theatre*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Tiit Ojasoo toob draamateatris lavale melodraama "Eneseabiõpik""](https://kultuur.err.ee/1609647524/tiit-ojasoo-toob-draamateatris-lavale-melodraama-eneseabiopik) (in Estonian). *ERR*. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Teatrijuht Tiit Ojasoo lahkumisele eelnes kriminaalasi näitlejanna löömise pärast"](https://www.err.ee/561352/teatrijuht-tiit-ojasoo-lahkumisele-eelnes-kriminaalasi-naitlejanna-loomise-parast) (in Estonian). *ERR*. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Arro: NO99 nõukogu pole Ojasoo vägivallatsemist arutanud"](https://www.err.ee/561419/arro-no99-noukogu-pole-ojasoo-vagivallatsemist-arutanud) (in Estonian). *ERR*. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Teater NO99 loomingulise juhina jätkab Ene-Liis Semper, Tiit Ojasoo jääb teatrisse lavastajaks"](https://kultuur.err.ee/312685/teater-no99-loomingulise-juhina-jatkab-ene-liis-semper-tiit-ojasoo-jaab-teatrisse-lavastajaks) (in Estonian). *ERR*. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["President faces criticism after awarding centennial program to NO99 theatre"](https://news.err.ee/654756/president-faces-criticism-after-awarding-centennial-program-to-no99-theatre). *ERR News*. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Laureaadid 2005"](https://www.teatriliit.ee/auhinnad/laureaadid-aastate-jargi/laureaadid-2005) (in Estonian). *Eesti Teatriliit*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Ants Lauteri nimelised auhinnad"](https://www.teatriliit.ee/auhinnad/laureaadid-auhindade-jargi/ants-lauteri-nimelised-auhinnad) (in Estonian). *Eesti Teatriliit*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ["Laureaadid 2008"](https://www.teatriliit.ee/auhinnad/laureaadid-aastate-jargi/laureaadid-2008) (in Estonian). *Eesti Teatriliit*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tiit Ojasoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiit_Ojasoo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiit_Ojasoo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.