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The Ukrainian theater scene has always been a bastion of strength and artistic expression, deeply rooted in the cultural life of the nation, with a long tradition of excellence and innovation. Even in the face of the devastation caused by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the theater community has shown remarkable resilience. Many theaters turned into volunteer centers at the outbreak of the war, and in relatively safer cities, they resumed their activities with renewed vigor. Today, theaters are more popular among Ukrainians than they were before the war, attracting large audiences and playing a crucial role in the cultural and psychological resilience of the nation.

It may seem unlikely that residents of frontline cities would prefer to go to the theater, but this assumption underestimates the indomitable spirit of Ukrainians. On the eve of the massive Russian offensive against the Kharkiv region, on May 10, 2024, the cultural center "Some People" in Kharkiv, a city that has endured the brunt of war, hosted a performance by the Les Kurbas Theater Prize winner Artem Vusyk. His musical surrealist tragicomedic monologue "Rainbow on Saltovka" tells the story of the artist's life and experiences during the war in Saltovka, the largest residential area in Ukraine, which was severely destroyed. Today, an artillery formation can be heard from the outskirts of Saltivka, emphasizing the proximity of the war.

On May 0, 2024, Russia launched its second large-scale offensive in the Kharkiv region since 2022. The Ukrainian army has managed to stabilize the situation and hold back Russian forces, although tensions remain high. In parallel with the offensive, Russia increased the number of missile strikes on the city, with some days of air raid warnings lasting up to 16 hours. However, on May 13, the Some People Center hosted another performance, Someone Like Me by Nina Khyzhna. This monologue explores the journey of a disembodied entity through different human bodies, delving into the experience of those who face fear every day and find ways to resist it. The play is based on a series of interviews with Ukrainians of different professions, genders, and ages, from six to ninety.

Both plays are part of a long-term collaboration between the Some People Cultural Center and the Nafta Theater, an alternative independent theater founded in Kharkiv in 2018. "Nafta positions itself as an open theater platform, free from classical canons. Both performances were sold out, attracting about 120 people each. "We decided to continue the performance on May 13, if the security situation does not become critical. One of our missions in Kharkiv right now is to support people and the community in these difficult times. Canceling the performance would be an additional demoralizing factor," explained theater director Tatyana Golubova.