Epp Kaidu

Epp Kaidu (pseudonym; real name Leida Ird, born Leida Rosenblatt; 15 April 1915 Jäärja Parish – 23 June 1976 Tallinn) was a Soviet and Estonian theatre director and actress.

In 1936 she graduated from Tartu Stage Art Studio (Tartu Näitekunsti Stuudio). In 1952 she graduated from higher courses of direction (kõrgemad režiikursused) in Moscow. From 1937 until 1939, she worked at Tartu Töölisteater. From 1940 until 1941, she worked at the Vanemuine theatre in Tartu. From 1942 until 1944, she belonged to Estonian SSR State Artistic Ensembles. From 1944 to 1976 she worked as a theatre director at Vanemuine Theatre.

In 1936, she wed theatre director and actor Kaarel Ird.

Awards

 * Estonian SSR State Prize (1947, 1948, 1972)
 * Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1956)
 * People's Artist of the Estonian SSR (1957)
 * Order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR (1965)
 * Order of Friendship of Peoples (1975)

Productions of plays

 * Jakobson's Võitlus rindejooneta (1947)
 * Dunajevski's Vaba tuul (1948)
 * Miljutin's Rahutu õnn (1949)