Paula Koivunen is a freelance set designer and costume designer with broad experience. She graduated from the Department of Film, Television and Scenography in Aalto University.

Koivunen’s set designs are an organic part of the performance that aim to use the features and characteristics of the space as an integral part of the design. She seeks precise confluences with reality and the intrinsic realities of individuals. Precise material choices and the use, division and rhythm of space support the theme of the performance and provides resistance to the performers’ bodies, for example by refining the situation or giving way to essential movement or stagnation. She did her master’s thesis at the Kiasma Theater, directed by Janne Saarakkala for a play called For the Love of Big Brother (2004).

She has worked in small houses such as Q-teatteri, Takomo and KOM-teatteri and in smaller independent groups such as Helsinki Art Theater and Reality Research Center and in several city theaters, such as the National Theater, Turku, Espoo, Seinäjoki, Kotka, Joensuu and Jyväskylä. She was attached to the Kajaani City Theatre in 2007. She has designed both site-specific performances and more traditional big-stage plays.

In the past years she has also created visualizations for document theater performances such as Kielirikot, directed by Jonna Wikström (Masala Youth Theater 2016), Too Late My Friend, directed by Titta Halinen and Jonna Wikström (Puoli-q 2015), Ruusulankatu 10, mdirected by Jonna Wikström, (Puoli-q 2014), Töölönkatu 33, Theater Takomo, directed by Titta Halinen, (Takomo 2012) No Maar, nyt loppu löhöily directed by Janne Saarakkala, (Turku City Theater 2012), Rakkaudella Porista (With Love from Pori), directed by Janne Saarakkala, (Rakastajat-teatteri, TTK, 2008) Janne Katajan Riihimäki, directed by Janne Saarakkala, (Riihimäki Theater) Visualizations of the trans mask performances include Wonderland 2016, A Good Sign 2013 directed by Max Bremer for the Theater Universe, featuring full body masks, and Det Falska Barnet 2010. Koivunen is involved in the continuation of orchestral theatre performances directed by Minna Harjuniemi. Deus ex machina (YT 2003), Che Opera (YT 2002), Adrenaline (YT 2001). The latest was a multi-level Glory Days 2017 in Takomo.

Other works from recent years include: Anna Krogerius’ 9 hyvää syytä (9 good reasons), directed by Kaisaliisa Logren (Group Theater 2018), Noitavaino (Witchcraft), directed by Akse Pettersson (Takomo 2016), Lokki (Seagull), directed by Philip Boulay (RNC 2015), Teoreema (Theorem), directed by Teemu Mäki and Nina Hosiasluoma (Takomo 2014), Zoo, directed by Katariina Numminen and light design by Minna Tiikkainen (Zodiak 2014), Viimeinen esitys directed by Katariina Numminen (Viipurin taiteellinen teatteri 2011), Yerma, directed by Katariina Numminen, (Baltic Circle, Pikku-q, 2011), Luonnos tästä viereltä-Picasson naisia (Sketch by the side -Picassos’ women, Reality Research Center performance art work for Ateneum’s Picasso exhibition, (Ateneum, TTK 2009), Periaatteen Mies (Man of Principle), (Espoo City Theater 2008), directed by Atro Kahiluoto.