- I do this so that people know

and for people to see.

Vilde Buverud Haugen, starring "Not A4"

Text & photo: Helene Marie Myrstad and Julia Finbak Hassel

During rehearsal: David Førland Velle is lifted by his fellow actors.

During an exercise: David Førland Velle is being lifted up.

In a short time, seven young people will stand on stage and convey experiences and thoughts about their own lives, from coping to exclusion, in the powerful performance "Ikke A4".

They are now in their final weeks of rehearsals and we have spoken to some of the young people to hear their thoughts on the performance.

"Ikke A4" is a performance directed by Elisabeth Lindland from Kilden Dialog (competence center for inclusion and co-creative art), and premieres at Kilden performing arts centre October 28. The script is based on reflections

from seven young people who are not quite A4. Through this emotionally charged moment on stage, they will talk about their experiences of friendship, coping, exclusion and meaning. It's not just through words that the young people will tell their stories, but also through music and movement, in interaction with two professional dancers and a pianist.

Mette Midling-Jenssen, Head of Education, and Elisabeth Lindland are the driving force behind the performance. They have previously won the County Culture Prize for their work with SPOR. SPOR is a project that aims to include and create understanding of pupils with different functional variations.

During rehearsal: Solveig Judith Bohge and choreographer Tomos Young together in beautiful dance.

Solveig Judith Bohge (19) has been studying drama for three years and explains that she loves being on stage, but this is the first time she has taken part in such a production. She is most looking forward to performing in front of an audience and seeing what they think and feel.

- It's a show with a lot of emotions - both good, but also more serious, so I think it will be a good mix of emotions," says Solveig.

Solveig also points out how nice it has been to work with the "Not A4" team.

- "It was a bit difficult at first because everyone has different challenges, but you just have to talk to each other. Now I think we've become a very close-knit group," she says with a smile.

Discovering a dream

Unlike Solveig, Vilde Buverud Haugen (21) has never been involved in drama and has rarely been on stage, but through "Ikke A4" she has discovered something very magical.

- It's a dream I didn't know I had," says Vilde.

Vilde is passionate about spreading knowledge and understanding about her story and the stories of others in order to prevent more people from experiencing the pain she herself has had to go through. She wants everyone who has the opportunity to hear this message, but especially professionals and people who work in the field of health and psychology.

-"I want my story to get out there because no one should have it like I did. I'm doing this for people to know and for people to see. It's important; I want to bring about a change," she points out.

Over several months of rehearsals, the young people and the rest of the actors and the production have become a very close-knit group. Vilde says that this is something she had not previously thought would happen.

-"I've made friends for life and I didn't think that was going to happen. I thought I was too sick for that," she says.

Scott Drangsholt (24) has previously participated in SPOR performances and is therefore familiar with long, intensive rehearsal days and has been on stage several times. He explains that what's different for him about this performance is that there are fewer people and it's more intimate.

- I think it's been really nice, you get to work very closely with people and it's easy to get to know them," says Scott.

Even though Scott has been on stage before, he also knows that there are some parts of being on stage that are scary, but he puts more emphasis on the positive.

- "It's scary to have everyone looking at you, but the good thing is that I get to say what I want to say and know that people are listening," he says.

Do you want to experience this beautiful performance and help create understanding and knowledge about an important topic? Not A4 premieres October 28 and runs a total of 10 performances until November 11.