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Creating timeless moments

Theater

The six regular actors at Kilden are increasingly being recognized around town. “That’s a very good sign,” they say.

“It’s exciting that theatergoers in Southern Norway are starting to form opinions about us as individual performers, and not just about the play itself,” say the actors in Kilden’s theater ensemble.

“It’s nice to be recognized and nodded to. After all, we want to connect with our audience,” says actor Steffen Mulder.

“Sure . But how often do you guys actually go out, then?” asks Johannes Blåsternes, the youngest of the group, with a touch of sarcasm. “I don’t see many of you around, you know.”

“We go to places you can’t get into yet,” comes the quick reply.

There’s some kicking at the leather slats under the table. Just about what you’d expect if you ran into a bunch of siblings at a Christmas party.

Since last November, Kilden has had six full-time, permanent actors on staff. All are in their 30s, with the exception of Johannes (29), and can thus draw on both their youth and their experience.

In addition, they have become such good friends that they can finish each other’s sentences. As in any team sport, good communication—even off the field—is a strength for a team.

This has resulted in some excellent theater, and the results are already evident. Recent productions such as *I Want to Wash the World Clean* have been well received by audiences.

“There’s tremendous power in being an ensemble with a purpose—one that wants to share art that touches the soul,” says Ulrik Waarli Grimstad.

A city isn't complete without the cultural institution that is the theater. The six of them feel both the responsibility and the privilege.

“The fact that we don’t have to rely on freelance work, but can show up for work every day at Kilden, gives us predictability and peace of mind. For the theater, continuity is a catalyst for artistic quality,” says Ann Ingrid Fuglestveit-Mortensen. She is grateful to have developed under local mentors such as Anne Ma Usterud, Ole Geir Feste, and Giert Werring. – I work much more calmly and comfortably with what I’m doing. We bring all our energy…

– … to the same place every day, Ina Maria Brekke continues. – This also means we invest much more over the long term, and that naturally creates a solid foundation for what we do.

In addition to the regular cast, productions are often supplemented by guest actors.
The fact that prominent actors from outside the region are increasingly eager to perform at Kilden is likely also due to the quality of the artistic community there.

“We know each other well, which strengthens our chemistry and makes the rehearsal space feel more open,” Ina believes. Lars Emil Nielsen nods. “We feel secure with one another, yet there’s always room for more people to join the group. The guest actors challenge us in a positive way and give us something new to strive for.” Bringing different experiences into the company is really great, he says.

Between rounds, they also perform improvisational theater. It’s a demanding art form, even though it may look easy and playful.

“It’s a bit like when symphony musicians go to a jazz club and join in on a jam session, perhaps,” they suggest.

“All theater is basically improvisation,” says Ulrik. The others nod in agreement. Otherwise, it would just be a reading.

They place great importance on the opportunity to perform high-quality contemporary plays created exclusively for Kilden .

“We are mindful of our tradition, but we are not a museum. It’s important that we make the theater accessible so that the city’s audience actually wants to come and see us. The barrier to entering the theater should be lowered to the level of the stalls,” says Johannes Blåsternes.

– Theater is different from watching a recording or a movie. We’re all in the same room, creating the moment together. The audience is the extra player, so to speak. Come on in, and you’ll see what I mean.

Text and photo Amund Hestsveen

Dedicated ensemble

Acting is an extreme sport. The performing arts touch on every aspect of the human experience. Hate. Love. Grief. Joy. Eroticism. Madness. Good theater requires that the actors who bring the characters to life can trust one another. Completely and utterly. When actors get to work together over time, trust and security grow. That allows us to take more risks. Explore more. And create more.

The acting ensemble at Kilden consists of dedicated, courageous, and playful artists. I look forward to continuing to build the theater together with them.

Birgit Amalie Nilssen,
Artistic Director, Kilden

[ultimate_spacer height=»40″ height_on_tabs=»30″ height_on_mob=»30″][dfd_spacer screen_wide_resolution=»1280″ screen_wide_spacer_size=»20″ screen_normal_resolution=»1024″ screen_tablet_resolution=»800″ screen_mobile_resolution=»480″ screen_normal_spacer_size=»20″ screen_tablet_spacer_size=»10″ screen_mobile_spacer_size=»10″]Ann Ingrid Fuglestveit-Mortensen (36)

3 highlights:
“Skyfri Himmel”
“Mamma, meg og menn”
“Fiddler on the Roof”

Featured in:
"Sult1"
"Hedda Gabler"

Biography[dfd_spacer screen_wide_resolution="1280" screen_wide_spacer_size="20" screen_normal_resolution="1024" screen_tablet_resolution="800" screen_mobile_resolution="480" screen_normal_spacer_size="20" screen_tablet_spacer_size="10" screen_mobile_spacer_size="10"]Johannes Blåsternes (29)

3 highlights:
“The Jury – 12 Jurors”
“A Doll’s House”
“Terje Vigen”

Featured in:
“Potatoes Have No Wings” “The Adulterers”

3 highlights:
“Pippi Longstocking”
“The Sound of Music”
“I Want to Clean the World”

Available at:
“Sult1”
“Sidespringerne”

Biografi[ultimate_spacer height=»40″ height_on_tabs=»30″ height_on_mob=»30″][dfd_spacer screen_wide_resolution=»1280″ screen_wide_spacer_size=»20″ screen_normal_resolution=»1024″ screen_tablet_resolution=»800″ screen_mobile_resolution=»480″ screen_normal_spacer_size=»20″ screen_tablet_spacer_size=»10″ screen_mobile_spacer_size=»10″]Steffen Mulder (31)

3 highlights:
“The Jury – 12 Sworn Jurors”
“The Snow Queen”
“I Want to Wash the World Clean”

Available at:
“Sult1”
“Sidespringerne”

3 Highlights:
"A Doll's House"
"I Want to Wash the World Clean"
"The Jury – 12 Sworn Jurors"

Featured in:
"Sult1"
"Hedda Gabler"

3 highlights:
“I Want to Clean the World” “The Guys in the Treehouse”
“The Jury – 12 Sworn Jurors”

Available at:
“Sult1”
“Sidespringerne”

Biography[ultimate_spacer height=»40″ height_on_tabs=»30″ height_on_mob=»30″]