Artūrs Skrastiņš

Early life

Artūrs Skrastiņš was born on 18 September 1974 (in Jelgava) and lived in Aizpute until the age of six. Both of his parents, Jānis Skrastiņš ^[4][5] and Rasma Atvare ^[6][5], were medical doctors ^[7][5], and Artūrs was the only child in the family. His parents were never married ^[8][5] and lived in a hospital-provided apartment ^[9][5]. His father, Jānis, has been described as a man of extremes ^[10][5], intellectually curious ^[11][5] but also struggling with alcoholism. ^[12][5] As a result, tensions developed within the family, and at the age of six, Artūrs moved with his mother to Jelgava ^[13][5]. There, his mother later met another man named Jānis, who became Artūrs’s stepfather. At the time Skrastiņš was characterised as a stubborn and unruly child.^[14][5]

He attended Jelgava Secondary School No. 1 (later Jelgava Gymnasium). While in the first grade, encouraged by his friend and classmate Andris Keišs, he began attending a theatre group at the Jelgava Culture House led by Lūcija Ņefedova together with Inta Alekse. ^[15] His interest in theatre deepened after attending a production of Sprīdītis directed by Inta Alekse with his mother; six years later, he himself performed in the same production.^[16] Although he developed a strong interest in theatre he did not yet intend to pursue acting professionally.

His mother died following surgery at the age of 46 (1988), when Artūrs was in the eighth grade.^[17] Recalling her, he stated that “mother was kind, but very strict.” Contemporaries have noted that Artūrs changed significantly after her death.^[18]

As actors were admitted to the Latvian Academy of Culture every other year, Skrastiņš took a gap year after graduating from secondary school and travelled across Europe with friends, with very little money.^[19] In 1993, he later enrolled in the acting programme at the Latvian Academy of Culture.^[20] His classmate Andris Keišs described their cohort as strong, though the regime was extremely demanding: classes began at 8:30 a.m. with Ansis Rūtentāls and concluded at 10 p.m. with the creation of etudes.^[21]

While still in his second year of studies, Skrastiņš appeared on the stage of the Dailes Theatre in Arnolda Liniņa’s production Sirds. ^[22]

His first major role was as Dmitri Karamazov in a stage adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, directed by Pēteris Krilovs. Krilovs noted that Skrastiņš possessed the ability to think vividly, actively, and emotionally.^[23] The production lasted seven hours, including intermissions, and was staged during the actors’ fourth year of study.^[24] The performance received high critical acclaim at the Homo Novus theatre festival. In 1996, Skrastiņš graduated from the Latvian Academy of Culture with a qualification as a theatre and film actor.^[5]

Acting career

After graduating from the Latvian Academy of Culture, Skrastiņš began working at the Dailes Theatre (1996).^[5] Even before completing his studies, he was already regarded as part of the theatre’s ensemble.^[25] Ilze Vītoliņa has stated that the Dailes Theatre is particularly suited to Skrastiņš, noting that he is capable of commanding the large stage—an ability possessed by few actors.^[26]

His first role at the Dailes Theatre may be considered that of the Younger Brother in the musical Meža gulbji by Māra Zālīte and Raimonds Pauls, directed by Arnis Ozoliņš and based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.^[5][27] In Meža gulbji, Skrastiņš performed songs accompanied by Raimonds Pauls, moving both audiences and critics. Baiba Broka and Indra Laure have noted the energetic impact of his singing.^[28] Another significant musical in his career was Šveiks (1998) and its sequel Šveika jaunās dēkas, in which he portrayed the title role.^[29]

After six years at the theatre, Skrastiņš experienced professional exhaustion and enrolled in the Medical Academy; however, he did not ultimately commence his studies there.

At the Latvian Song Festival (2001) “Rīgai - 800” Artūrs sang the Aleksandrs Čaks song “Miglā asaro logs”, he recalls it as an unforgettable experience.^[30]