A Ukrainian actress spoke about her work at a legendary theater in Paris
Ukrainian actress Hanna Kuzina received an invitation to join the renowned Théâtre du Soleil in Paris, which is considered one of the most prestigious theaters in Europe. What surprised her most was not the troupe’s fame, but its working principles—equal pay for all, no distinction between “stars” and newcomers, and respect for every member of the team. According to her, after a long journey of self-discovery abroad, she found herself in a troupe where actors are treated in a completely different way.
Hanna Kuzina admitted that she was nervous before meeting the new troupe. She expected to have to prove her professionalism and get used to a certain hierarchy, but things turned out differently at the theater. According to the actress, at the Théâtre du Soleil, there is no distinction between those who have been working there for many years and those who have just joined the team.
She was particularly struck by the theater’s approach to compensation. Kuzina explained that salaries at the theater are the same for everyone, regardless of seniority. “There’s one salary—whether you’ve been working there for 30 years or just joined yesterday, like me,” the actress noted. She also emphasized that there is no condescending attitude or competition for status within the troupe. People of all ages work together harmoniously, and neither experience nor age determines how others treat a person.
Another difference for Kuzina was the approach to work itself. While in Ukrainian theaters actors often prepare several productions at the same time, at the Théâtre du Soleil the team focuses entirely on just one project. The actress explained that the work process there is more like a structured system: the day begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until 6:30 p.m., and lunch has a strictly defined time.
The theater is currently on summer break, so Hanna Kuzina has come to Kyiv, where she continues to work in film. In the fall, she plans to return to Paris to continue her work with the Théâtre du Soleil. Her story serves as an example of how theatrical traditions differ across countries—not only on stage but also in the way people who create art are treated. She spoke about this in an interview with OBOZ.
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