Bio
Minna Tikkanen
I am a director, choreographer and circus artist, as well as a master’s student in Dance Movement Therapy.
I am a director, choreographer and circus artist working freelance in the performing arts in Finland and Spain. I am currently based in Sant Pere de Ribes in Catalonia.
Biography
I am a director, choreographer and circus artist. My work brings together contemporary circus, contemporary dance, movement-based dramaturgy, improvisation and object theatre. The central tools of my artistic work are the cyr wheel, contact work, partner and group acrobatics, and puppet building and manipulation.
I graduated from the Circus Arts programme at Turku Arts Academy with a focus on cyr wheel, contemporary dance and partner acrobatics. I completed an exchange at Institut del Teatre in Barcelona, studying dance interpretation and choreography, and I am now continuing my studies in the master’s programme in Dance Movement Therapy at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
As a director and choreographer my aesthetic is minimalist and rooted in the visual language of contemporary circus. I often approach creation through imagery and poetry, and my working method is strongly grounded in improvisation. I also perform, both in my own works and in other artists’ productions.
My current artistic research focuses on movement improvisation as a source of dramaturgy, and on embodied observation and group processes within the framework of dance movement therapy. Alongside my artistic work I have taught circus, dance and movement for more than ten years, in Finland and internationally.
I am a founding member and board secretary of two performing arts associations in Finland, Teatteri Sujo and Cirque Bono. At Teatteri Sujo I started the theatre’s artist residency programme, and I am responsible for it. I work in Finnish, English and Spanish.
Education
- 2025–2027
Master’s in Dance Movement Therapy (in progress)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
- Movement, embodied observation, group processes and therapeutic work.
- 2024
Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Circus (240 ECTS)
Turku University of Applied Sciences, Arts Academy
- Main disciplines: cyr wheel, contemporary dance and partner acrobatics.
- Exchange at Institut del Teatre, Barcelona, in the dance programme for choreography and interpretation, Jan–Jun 2023.
- Artistic thesis: Be Echo of Mine.
- Written thesis: Circus Artist in the World of Poetry, on movement improvisation as a source of dramaturgy in contemporary circus.
- 2014
Vocational qualification in youth and leisure instruction
Haapavesi College
Further training
- 2017
Theatre programme, 60 ECTS, Jyväskylä Christian Folk High School
- 2016
Basic studies in theatre pedagogy, 25 ECTS
- 2016
Basic studies in education, 25 ECTS
- 2011
Swimming instructor training, Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation
- 2011
SUH swimming assistant training
Own works & productions
- 2024
Be Echo of Mine
An ensemble contemporary circus and movement improvisation piece that I directed, choreographed and performed in.
- 2023
Laulu väelle Vellamon
A contemporary dance piece at Teatteri Sujo that I directed, choreographed and performed in.
- 2023
Wake Me Up
Puppet solo at the Torakka evening, where I worked as the puppet manipulator.
- 2021–
Memento Mori
A cyr wheel solo for which I created the direction, choreography and dramaturgy, and which I also perform. It has been performed in Finland, Spain and France.
- 2022
Pörsänmäen keskitalven tanssit
A performing arts event that I produced, organised and performed in.
Selected artistic & performance work
- 2026
KURIOS, Cirque du Soleil, Barcelona
Audience services (upcoming, Sep–Oct 2026): welcoming and guiding audiences and assisting spectators in the show’s participatory section.
- 2025
Make Orwell Great Again, Cirque Bono
Choreographer, producer and circus artist. Direction: Jeannette Rönkkö. Choreographic and artistic work and overall production responsibility, including budget, funding and partnerships.
- 2025
Companyia Jordi Bertran, Barcelona
Producer and artistic collaborator (Mar–May 2025).
- 2024
Akin (klovni ja nukke)
Choreographer and puppet manipulator. Direction: Linda Ylisirkka. Contemporary circus combining clowning, puppetry and object theatre; residencies at Cirko and Salpaus.
- 2024
Niin minäkin sinua, Cirque Bono / Suvi Suloinen
Performer, Turku Main Library.
- 2024
Suonsilmä, short film
Dancer (the servant). Direction: Topi Raulo. The film premiered at Tampere Film Festival.
- 2023
Rakas setä, Teatteri Sujo
Lighting designer. Direction: Topi Marin.
- 2022
Home Sweet Pörsänmäki, Teatteri Sujo
Actor. Direction: Topi Marin.
- 2021–2022
PRINSSI, street theatre
The Prince. Direction: Tella Vahala.
- 2021
Identiteettivarkaus, Barker Theatre / Runoviikko
Actor, reciter and juggler.
Positions of trust
- 2025–
Cirque Bono ry
Founding member and board secretary; website management (cirquebono.com).
- 2023–
Teatteri Sujo ry
Founding member and board secretary. I started Teatteri Sujo’s artist residency programme and I am responsible for it; website management (sujoteatteri.com).
Grants & recognition
- 2025
Niilo Helander Foundation
Grant for artistic work on Make Orwell Great Again (lead applicant).
- 2023
Ylä-Savo Foundation
Grant for Laulu väelle Vellamon (lead applicant).
- 2023
City of Iisalmi
Grant for Laulu väelle Vellamon (lead applicant).
- 2022
Ylä-Savo Foundation
Grant for the Pörsänmäen keskitalven tanssit event (lead applicant).
- 2021
Minela Foundation
Grant for artistic research and workshops on the cyr wheel (lead applicant).
Carl Aminoff Foundation scholarship
Recognition for success in circus studies at Turku Arts Academy.
Teaching
- 2024
Turbul’ en Chap circus festival, France
Circus artist and teacher, leading workshops for festival audiences and participants.
- 2024
Phare Ponleu Selpak, Cambodia
Guest circus teacher (Jan–Feb 2024). I led teaching periods for circus school students as part of international arts education cooperation.
- 2016–2024
Liikuntaseura Ote
Guest circus and dance teacher for circus and dance groups of all ages and levels.
- 2014–2024
Parkour Oppimiskeskus ry
Parkour teacher and administrator, responsible for weekly classes and the administration of teaching activities.
- 2011–2018
Jyväskylän Naisvoimistelijat
Children’s and family movement instructor for early childhood and family groups.
Publication
- 2024
Circus Artist in the World of Poetry
Tikkanen, M. Sirkustaiteilija runouden maailmassa: liikeimprovisaatio dramaturgian lähteenä nykysirkuksessa. Bachelor’s thesis, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Arts Academy.
Languages
- Finnish
- native
- English
- C2
- Spanish
- B2
- Swedish
- basic
- Catalan
- basic
References available on request.