The board of the new performing arts organization has been elected—meet the board!

In the photo, from left to right, top to bottom: Ulrika Vilke, © Marko Laukkarinen; Emmi Vainio, © Eero Yli-Vakkuri; Julia Pajunen, © Darina Rodionova; Riikka Lakea, © Sonia Sanchez Lopez; Henriikka Himma, © JIRINA; Nicolina Stylianou, © Yiannis Kourtoglou; Matilda Aaltonen, © Eeva Anundi.

Mad House Helsinki and the Reality Research Center will merge in early 2027. The board of directors for the new organization resulting from the merger has now been selected. The board consists of Emmi Vainio , chair of , and members Matilda Aaltonen, Henriikka Himma, Riikka Lakea, Julia Pajunen, Nicolina Stylianou, and Ulrika Vilke.

The Board has been selected to represent a diverse range of expertise in the fields of performing arts content, marketing and communications, audience engagement, and production. The Board’s primary task is to help define the strategic direction of the organization, which will begin operations in early 2027, and to shape its future.

“I am excited and impressed by the dedication and thoughtfulness that the members and staff of both organizations have brought to the merger process so far. A merger also means letting go of certain things. However, I feel that the significant work both organizations have done in the performing arts serves as a rich foundation for our new joint efforts. I’m also curious to see what kinds of new people this initiative will attract to various roles. See you soon!” says Emmi Vainio, Chair of the Board.

Learn more about the members of the board and their backgrounds

Matilda Aaltonen is a dancer, choreographer, and researcher whose work lies at the intersection of dance and the performing arts. She is currently conducting artistic dissertation research at the University of the Arts Helsinki’s Theater Academy, focusing on the practices of performing with other animals. Matilda’s performances have been featured in the Reality Research Center’s program, and she served actively on the Reality Research Center’s board for several years.

Henriikka Himma is a dramaturg, writer, and performance artist. Recently, she has been particularly interested in questions of spatial dramaturgy, the various forms a performance can take, and the relationship with the audience. Himma feels a sense of curiosity and passion toward the emerging field of performance art organization. 

Riikka Lakea is a dance artist, filmmaker, and producer. Lakea specializes in creating performer-driven and site-specific works, as well as in developing low-hierarchy, ecologically and socially sustainable working methods. She has previously worked as a producer for TTK and the Sateenkaarisukupolvet project and currently works as a producer at the University of the Arts Helsinki’s Theater Academy. 

Julia Pajunen (Ph.D.) is a theater expert. In recent years, she has worked at the Espoo Theater as a curator responsible for communications and audience engagement. My background as a researcher has given me a deep understanding of the structures and ecosystem of the performing arts. Based on this, I hope to contribute insights to the development of the new organization, particularly from the perspectives of growing the audience base, as well as marketing and communications for performances. 

Nicolina Stylianou is an artist, curator, and producer who works in the fields of performance art and performance studies. Nicolina served on the board of Mad House Helsinki from 2023 to 2024 and from 2025 to 2026. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Live Art and Performance Studies from the Theater Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki (2020).

Emmi Vainio is a producer and an expert in arts administration. She has worked for many years as a freelancer, including at Mad House in Helsinki, and currently serves as the administrative director of Frame Contemporary Art Finland.

Ulrika Vilke is a performing arts producer who currently serves as the lead producer for the City of Kotka. She leads and develops one of Finland’s largest public events, the Kotka Maritime Days. Vilke is inspired by new initiatives and future-oriented development work, and she is enthusiastic about building the operations of the new organization.

We warmly welcome you to join our activities!