The Ansis Rūtentāls Movement Theatre was founded in 1978, when Ansis Rūtentāls established the Movement and Plasticity group in the Student Theatre of the University of Latvia. Ansis Rūtentāls (1949-2000) was a famous pantomime soloist, movement artist and pedagogue.
During the time when Ansis Rūtentāls was the director, The Ansis Rūtentāls Movement Theatre had two main artistic principles. One was the specific genre “the visual interpretation of music”. The other principle regards the actor's personality – the actor must be interested in the course of the world – he has to listen and observe the world, only then the actor can create.
Each performance is a united entity, formed by sound, colour and movement. The esthetics of each play is characterized by the choice of serious and complicated music, filigree light score and the purity of the actors' choreography.
From 2000 until 2003, the theatre was directed by Dzintars Krūmiņš, since 2003, the choreographer and Ansis Rūtentāls' student Santa Grīnfelde has been the artistic director and choreographer of the theatre.
The Ansis Rūtentāls Movement Theatre is exploring new artistic ways in its development. The language of the theatre is enriched with elements of contemporary dance, buto and contact improvisation. The authentic movement plays an important role in the actors' work with their bodies (Mary Starks Whitehouse). An explorative direction is characteristic to the creative process and the performances are made up as a compilation of different methods and the individual experiences of each actor. The Ansis Rūtentāls Movement Theatre has created 14 plays, 4 movies, numerous performances and art exhibitions, in both urban and natural environments.
During these 30 years, the theatre has participated in festivals in Vilnius, St. Petersburg, Moscow, London, Erevan, Kazincbarcika (Hungary) and elsewhere. In year 2009, a performance “The Shadows” participated in the Amateur theatre festival in Girona, Spain – FITAG – IX Festival International de Teatre Amateur.