Meeli Sööt

Meeli Sööt (born 13 September 1937) is an Estonian stage, television, radio and film actress.

Meeli Sööt
Born
Meeli Alev

(1937-09-13) 13 September 1937
Tallinn, Estonia
NationalityEstonian
OccupationActress
Years active1960–present
Spouse(s)Ants Sööt (1961-1978)
(divorced)

Early life and education

Meeli Sööt was born Meeli Alev in Tallinn to actor Voldemar Alev and Alvine Alev (née Väravas). In 1956, she graduated from Tallinn 7th Secondary School (now, Tallinn English College). From 1956 until 1957, she studied at the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute (now, Tallinn University), and graduated in 1961 from the Tallinn State Conservatory, Performing Arts Department (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) in Tallinn[1] under the course supervision of theatre pedagogue Voldemar Panso. Among her classmates were noted future actors Tõnu Aav, Mikk Mikiver, Maila Rästas, Aarne Üksküla, Madis Ojamaa, Jaan Saul, Ines Aru, and Mati Klooren.[2]

Stage career

Following graduation in 1961, she became engaged at the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn. She would remain an actress at the theatre until 2000. She made her stage debut in 1961 in a production of Pedro Calderón de la Barca's 1636 play The Phantom Lady while still a student.[3]

During her nearly forty year engagement at the Estonian Drama Theater she performed in numerous stage productions as an actress. Among her more memorable roles in works by international authors and playwrights include: Molière, Ibsen, von Goethe, Chekhov, Strindberg, Vonnegut, Leo Tolstoy, Peter Shaffer, Jean Genet, Johannes Linnankoski, William Gibson, Alexander Vampilov, Elias Lönnrot and John Boynton Priestley, among others. Memorable roles in works by Estonian authors and playwrights include those of: Eduard Vilde, Anton Hansen Tammsaare, Juhan Sütiste, Jaan Kross, Aino Undla-Põldmäe, Jaan Kruusvall and Mats Traat.[3]

Beginning in 1990, Sööt was a lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and from 1996 until 2004, was an Associate Professor at the academy.[3]

Television, radio and film

Meeli Sööt made her film debut in a small role in the Kalju Komissarov directed Soviet-Estonian crime-drama Tavatu lugu for Tallinnfilm. This was followed by a starring role as Marta in the 1982 Veljo Käsper directed drama Pihlakaväravad, opposite actor Heino Mandri. She also appeared in the 1990 dramatic short film Teenijanna, directed by Veiko Jürisson.[4]

In 1983, she appeared in the feature-length television sports film Küljetuul, directed by Raul Tammet. She also frequently appeared on the popular Estonian Kanal 2 television crime series Kelgukoerad between 2008 and 2011.[4]

Additionally, she has performed in several radio plays, most memorably Kuu aega maal in 1964, Meelejahutaja in 1973 and Ameerika mäed in 1998.[5]

Personal life

In 1961 Meeli Alev married conductor and pedagogue Ants Sööt. The couple divorced in 1978.[1]

Acknowledgements

In 1976, Meeli Sööt was awarded the Merited Artist of the Estonian SSR.

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References
  1. Sõnumileht. Tundetu näitleja poleks näitleja. 22 September 1997
  2. Postimees Viimne gong Mikk Mikiverile 16 January 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  3. Eesti Entsüklopeedia. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  4. Eesti Filmi Andmebaas. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  5. Õhtuleht Pühapäevane raadiolemmik 25 October 2003. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
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