The Chain Reaction Has Begun: 100 Locals Take the Stage – First Participants Selected

Oulu Theatre is bringing an unprecedented crowd to its stage as the international concept 100 % City premieres in Oulu on August 14, 2026, under the title 100 % Oulu, part of the European Capital of Culture 2026 program. The production is currently searching for one hundred ordinary Oulu residents to represent a miniature cross-section of the city’s population. The first participant interviews have now begun.

This is not a traditional theatrical performance, but rather a moving and speaking scenic group portrait of the city. The work is based on a global concept by the Berlin-based collective Rimini Protokoll, and it is being produced in Finland for the first time.

Interviews with the participants have already started. The performance brings 100 locals onto the big stage to represent Oulu’s population on a statistical scale. Photo: Dorothea Tuch.

A Statistical Chain Reaction Builds the Face of the City

The selection of performers follows a precise statistical method. The process begins with one person who invites the next participant, who then invites the next, and so on. Using statistical data and this chain reaction, the project ensures that the stage features the most comprehensive cross-section of Oulu possible: different age groups, neighborhoods, professions, family structures, and opinions.

Ultimately, 100 volunteers will stand on stage to share their stories, answer questions, and form living graphs and group portraits. The audience will get to see what the “body of the city” looks like when people group themselves by, for example, place of residence, political views, or even their favorite sandwich toppings.

“In a unique way, this performance reminds us that the theatre stage belongs to everyone. The encounter between a hundred citizens and theatre professionals results in theatre that is spectacular, touching, and looks exactly like our city,” says Jukka Heinänen, the production’s dramaturg.

100 % City is a concept created by Stefan Kaegi, Helgard Haug, and Daniel Wetzel. Photo: David von Becker.

Oulu Joins a Global Network

Rimini Protokoll is one of the most respected entities in the contemporary theatre scene. The group is known for its ability to turn social structures into playful and participatory performances.

The 100 % City concept has already been seen in over 35 cities worldwide, including Berlin, Paris, and Tokyo. The Oulu version is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program.

Find out more about 100 % Oulu and get your tickets here: oulunteatteri.fi/en/play/100-oulu/.