Creative Conversations #5: būda.collective

būda.collective - On Vision, Process, and Sustainability

A contemporary circus and multidisciplinary arts collective, būda.collective creates visually driven work that blurs the boundaries between disciplines. Their performances begin with a shared vision and grow through collaboration, movement, and experimentation. We spoke with the team about how ideas take shape, the small rituals that support their creative process, and their commitment to making work and objects that last.

Introducing būda.collective

For readers who may be hearing about you for the first time – how would you describe būda.collective in a single sentence? 

We're a contemporary circus and multidisciplinary arts collective, we try to clear boundaries between performing art disciplines and create visually stimulating work. 

The first image

When you’re creating, what comes first: the movement, the story, the space, or a feeling? Could you walk us through how a piece is born?

Our process usually starts with a vision. Most often, one of our team members "dreams up" an image or scene from a work that does not yet exist, then draws it or tries to describe it to the team. If the team believes in the vision, we start brainstorming together and develop that visual. We talk a lot about why and how a particular image appears in our minds, why it catches our attention, what our inner selves might be trying to tell us. This gives rise to themes and issues. Once we have the key elements of the work down “on paper”, the practical search begins, the team splits in half: performers/creators - who look for ways to adapt the idea to the stage (movement, props, style, etc.) and producers/creators – who look for funding, design the set, create riders, information packages, etc. It's teamwork, we all try to be as involved as possible and believe in each other's vision.

Before the doors open

AmourLinen is all about everyday rituals of home – slow choices and comfort. What are the “rituals” in your creative process that you can’t live without? 

To tell the truth, we don't really have any rituals during rehearsals, except perhaps when the performers arrive for rehearsal, they always change into their work clothes and take off their outdoor shoes, the rest of the team takes off their shoes too. One ritual that comes to mind is when we perform for an audience, before opening the doors, we gather the entire team working that day, stand in a circle, say a few words of gratitude, hug each other, and wish each other energy and endurance. We are a small team that does almost all of the stage work ourselves, so we support each other, but at the same time we demand quality from each other. 

Form, space and restraint

What colors, textures, or shapes do you find yourself returning to again and again in your creative universe? 

We really like minimalism, although you wouldn't think so based on our latest performance, “Grocery Store”. On stage, we look for smooth and clean lines, synchronisation, and we try not to clutter the stage with unnecessary objects. Stage costumes must be comfortable, loose-fitting and flexible so that the performer can feel free. 

Looking ahead

What dreams or projects are currently living in your notebooks or rehearsal rooms that you can already tease to our readers? 

As we mentioned earlier, we are working on a project that should see the light of day at the end of 2026. We are currently asking ourselves what our relationship with the era of digitalization is, whether we like it or whether it frightens us. This is a one-man show, and so far, it is the most complex work we have set ourselves. But we are working with wonderful creators we have not worked with before, such as Domas Puvačiauskas and Ignas Šoliūnas, and we are trying out the techniques and methods they suggest. This year's goal is to stage and present this work to Lithuanian audiences. It’s hard to name one biggest dream, because there are so many. Growing as a team and continuing to create together for a long time matters most. The next steps are moving into fully professional artist status, establishing a home for būda.collective, and welcoming other artists to join this movement.

On making things last

Our brand cares deeply about sustainability and longevity. In your work, do you think about sustainability – of materials, of touring, of creative energy? How does that show up in practice? 

Absolutely! Since we come from the independent sector, we usually create sustainably, but we always think about longevity. We don't want to create works whose props or stage design would not survive more than a few seasons; every prop or costume created or used must be durable and reusable in other works. For example, for the play “Grocery Store”, we created counters/boxes that now serve not only as scenery but also as storage. At the same time, we usually buy costumes second-hand, alter them, and do the same with props. We want to give things a new life. 

A simple way in

If you had to teach someone who thinks “I’m not creative at all” one simple daily practice to unlock creativity, what would you suggest?

Get moving: turn on some music you like and move. How you move doesn't matter.
Another tip: try to inspire yourself through the world. If you can't go to the theater, watch movies; if you can't watch movies, look out the window or go outside and watch people—they're incredibly interesting.
And don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself or look silly. Ask questions, it's okay. 

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