Tell Us About Yourself and the Artistic Department at Rosendal Theatre

I joined Rosendal Theatre in 2015, back when it was called Avant Garden. The artistic department consists of Artistic Director Alex, Curating Producer Tonje, and myself. We meet weekly to discuss ideas, assess them against the theatre’s long-term goals, and strike a balance between our aspirations and what is practically achievable. We aim to amplify new voices, both on stage and in programming, collaborating with local, national, and international partners.

How Would You Describe Rosendal Theatre’s Artistic Vision and Its Influence on the Programme?

Our vision revolves around highlighting diverse voices and expressions within performing arts. We aim to give a platform to a wide range of artists. Sustainability is a key value for us and influences the projects we choose. We also believe that no performing artist can grow without space to experiment, so we often feature emerging talents. These are balanced with seasoned artists. The programme is highly varied—ranging from intimate solo performances to large productions—offering audiences distinctly different experiences every time.

Can You Take Us Behind the Scenes of the Curatorial Process?

We always have many projects in the pipeline, including fresh ideas and works in development. We evaluate them in light of the theatre’s resources and the overarching themes we want to explore. Even if we’re very excited about a particular project, we have to prioritise what we can realistically accomplish. We try to stay forward-looking and attuned to societal currents.

We work with both established and emerging artists, supporting them in multiple ways—from financial aid to practical assistance. Additionally, we organise conversations and social events that provide audiences with context for what they experience.

Rosendal Theatre Often Has an Alternative and Political Programme. How Do You Ensure It Stays Relevant and Timely?

We strive to include diverse voices in both curatorial work and programming. As a small team, our perspectives are limited, so we create space for individuals with different experiences. We’ve collaborated with teenage curators and cultural apprentices from varied backgrounds and partnered with organisations we believe have important voices in our field. This approach brings in performances we might not have chosen ourselves, offering a richer array of expressions.

Can You Give an Example of a Production That Reflects the Theatre’s Goal of Challenging the Definition of Performing Arts?

A great example is Shiraz by Armin Hokmi, which seeks to recreate a festival that no longer exists. The performance explores the question: "Can one dance a festival?" We’ve also worked with companies that break away from traditional narrative theatre and children’s productions where light and music create entire visual worlds for kids to step into. If you don’t enjoy one performance, the next is guaranteed to be completely different.

For Those New to Rosendal Theatre, Do You Have Any Tips on How to Appreciate the Performances Here?

The most important thing is to relax. You don’t have to understand everything, and it’s perfectly okay not to like everything. We host artist talks after most performances, where the audience can meet the artists and discuss their experience.

For those wanting more context beforehand, we recommend reading the programme text or attending our Soup Kitchen. Here, you can enjoy a free bowl of soup and hear the artist talk about their project. We aim to lower barriers and remove the pressure to "understand." The key is to allow yourself to experience something new—maybe with a friend, especially someone you can have differing opinions with!

Click here to view the programme.

Photo: Hallvar Bugge Johnsen