Studio Ypsilon

Studio Ypsilon is one of the best-known theatre venues in Prague, affectionately called "Ypsilonka" by locals. It occupies a building on Spálená Street 16, right in the historic centre of Prague near Karlovo náměstí.

How did the theatre come into being?

The company was founded in 1963 in Liberec as an experimental workshop bringing together several artistic disciplines, with a strong presence of puppet theatre artists. Its founder was director and actor Jan Schmid, who set up the group while completing his compulsory military service. The company's first production, "Encyclopaedic Entry of the 20th Century," premiered in 1964–1965 as a two-part piece blending elements of metaphoric documentary theatre.

For its first decades the theatre operated under the umbrella of other institutions and only became a fully independent stage in 1990. A defining moment in its history came at the end of 1978, when the company relocated from Liberec to Prague, settling into the building it still occupies today, the former Olympic Palace.

Where is Studio Ypsilon located?

The theatre is housed in an early functionalist building from 1927, designed by architect Jaromír Krejcar. This architectural setting gives the venue its distinctive character, combining the austerity of functionalism with preserved Art Deco elements. The building contains two performance spaces: a smaller, intimate studio stage and a larger hall restored in its original decorative style.

What defines the artistic style of Studio Ypsilon?

Since its founding, the ensemble has built its work around collective improvisation and a deliberate engagement with chance and open-endedness. It is a theatre of experimentation, where synthesis of different stage forms, expressiveness, communicativeness and authenticity combine with a recognisable sense of humour. During its strongest years, Ypsilonka was regarded as an avant-garde stage that genuinely shaped the direction of Czech theatre.

Why does Studio Ypsilon matter to Czech culture?

The theatre became a cultural phenomenon of the 1980s and 1990s, earning its place among the most important stages in the country. Its artistic legacy is now considered a significant chapter in the history of Czech theatre, both for its innovative approach to dramatic form and for the influence it exerted on later generations of theatre-makers.

Frequently asked questions

When was Studio Ypsilon founded? The company was established in 1963 in Liberec, with its first production staged in 1964–1965.

Since when has the theatre operated in Prague? The ensemble moved to Prague at the end of 1978 and has been based on Spálená Street 16 ever since.

Who founded Studio Ypsilon? The theatre was founded by director and actor Jan Schmid.

What makes the theatre's building notable? It is an early functionalist building from 1927 designed by Jaromír Krejcar, housing two stages — a small studio space and a larger Art Deco hall.