Nyankiny Theatre

«Nyankiny»: A Unique Family Theatre in Sumy

With the start of the full-scale invasion, this theatre offered the residents of Sumy a magical suitcase instead of one filled with anxiety, and on March 31, 2022, announced a new children's project, «Tales from a Suitcase».

Today, the independent family project «Nyankiny» Theatre continues to offer audiences time spent in a special atmosphere where experimentation and social messages coexist harmoniously. The theatre's current address is 2 Novomiskoi Sotni Street.

Key Facts from the Theatre's History

The family-run «Nyankiny» Theatre was founded in 2017 by the married couple Tetiana and Volodymyr Nyankin. The idea came from Tetiana, who had dreamed of such a project since her youth. Initially, the director worked at the Sumy Theatre for Children and Youth, but left after a conflict with its management. Her desire to discover something new, fresh, and non-conservative for herself and the public eventually gave Tetiana the determination to establish her own studio.

The creative space began to expand, offering performances for both adults and children. However, the outbreak of the full-scale war became a serious challenge for the team. The theatre studio was located in the Sumy State University Congress Centre. After Russian shelling destroyed the family theatre's premises on April 13, 2025, rehearsals and performances resumed in the basement of a building on Voskresenska Street. The sets, costumes, and equipment were damaged, while the stage and auditorium were reduced to rubble. However, the support of the students and audiences allowed the artistic team to continue its work in a new home.

The new venue has 80 seats arranged across three tiers. According to Volodymyr Nyankin, this arrangement actually provides an even better view of the stage than the previous premises.

The Family Theatre's Company in Sumy

The company is primarily made up of professional actors. Many members of the «Dykobraz» creative association are also involved. Tetiana Nyankina's students take part in the productions as well. Some of the actors have no formal training in the field. In the past, they worked as costume designers and set decorators – people who had been directly involved in the theatre for a long time but had never performed in its productions. This is also one of the Nyankins' principles: giving everyone who wants to become an actor a chance.

The acting company regularly participates in training sessions and continues to improve its skills. Training has been held at the theatres in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, among other places.

The theatre also runs «We Exist», an amateur theatre studio for people with special needs. In addition, the theatre's premises are occasionally rented by artists and groups from Sumy and other Ukrainian cities for various cultural and educational events.

Creative Concept

In Sumy, the «Nyankiny» Theatre is described as experimental, but this does not refer to an unusual approach to genres and formats. Rather, «Nyankiny» was the first theatre in Sumy to introduce guided performance tours and use the streets as a venue for productions. For the founders of this creative initiative, people, not the building, are what matter most in theatre. They are at the heart of the creative process.

Repertoire of the «Nyankiny» Theatre

The repertoire is built around original plays in unconventional genres. These include immersive performances in which the audience members themselves become part of the action.

Throughout its creative history, «Nyankiny» has presented audiences with productions such as «The Bee Rose», «A Gust of Wind», «24», «Schrödinger's Kittens», «Family A», «Super'Yata», performed by the talented young actors of the «Rep'yakh» theatre studio, and many other works.

Every new performance is enthusiastically received by the people of Sumy. And every sold-out show gives the «Nyankiny» Theatre a free hand to create new, even more spectacular masterpieces.

In terms of genres and formats, the «Nyankiny» creative hub offers:

• children's and family performances;
• physical theatre dramas;
• immersive performances;
• inclusive theatre;
• social drama;
• experimental original productions.

What Events Take Place at the «Nyankiny» Theatre

In addition to theatre performances, the venue hosts:

• comedy and stand-up evenings;
• show programs for children;
• master classes and training sessions;
• acting workshops.

Where to Book Tickets for Performances at the «Nyankiny» Family Theatre in Sumy

You can browse the theatre's event calendar and choose a performance that appeals to you on Concert.ua. Then click «Get Tickets» at the bottom of the page and proceed to payment. The process is quick and secure. Within just a couple of minutes, you'll have your tickets and the pleasant anticipation of an exciting event.