BIOGRAPHY
FROM 68°N SINCE 2010
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PHOTO: SEBASTIAN WILCHES
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As a choreographer, I find inspiration to create based on experiences from my own life and life in general, and my aim is that the performances gives the audience an artistic experience, and at the same time contribute to conversation and reflection. My performances often touch on topics that we, as a society, choose to turn our backs on.
I graduated from the School for New Dance in Oslo (Skolen for samtidsdans). Since graduating in 2010, I have worked as a freelance dancer and choreographer. I mainly work on my own projects, and my performances are mostly created for the solo format.
I was born and raised in Øksnes in Northern Norway, and am currently based in Hadsel in Vesterålen. As one of the very few professional dancers based in Vesterålen and Nordland county, I am surrounded by steep mountains and rough sea, midnight sun and northern lights. My heart belongs to the north - at 68° north.
I use dance as a language when I go on stage. As a choreographer, I get straight to the point when I talk about eating disorders or suicide, mental health issues or rape. When I talk about grief and experiences of loss, the language more gentle, but just as direct.
An artistic process often starts with me imagining images of how a theme or topic can be given a theatrical expression. Thoughts and inner images become physical drawings, which further becomes movements. First as a form of draft, then as defined choreography. The movement language in my work is often detailed and intense, and I often challenge the body to push itself to the limit. At the same time, I am interested in the energy that is created when meeting the audience, and I often place the audience close to the stage - or preferably on the stage. By doing so, I seek to create an experience of participation and recognition in the audience. That this could have been any of us.
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In addition to my own artistic practice, I created Performing Arts Lofoten & Vesterålen (Scenekunst LOVE) in 2021 - with the aim of gathering the performing arts professionals in Lofoten and Vesterålen, and to make the performing arts scene in the region more visible. On May 6th 2023, the initiative became its own organization, and consists of more than 20 members - between Andøya in the north, and Moskenesøy in the west.
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CV
EDUCATION / TRAINING / MENTORING
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2022 : DIGITAL LEAP - MODUL 2
Seminar, Digital possibilities for performing arts (1 week)
Vilnius, Lithuania
2022 : DISCOVERING PRACTICE
Workshop with Barbara Simonsen (DK) and Davvi - Senter for scenekunst
Bodø, Norway
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2021 - 2022 : MENTORING - CREATIVE LAB
2-year mentoring programme by CODA Oslo International Dance Festival with Fin Walker (UK)
Oslo, Norway
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2018 : PERFORMING ARTS REALY
Seminar/workshop with Dansearena Nord in collaboration with Dance Ateliers Reykjavik (IS), SeaChange Lab (DK), School of Creative and Performing Arts of Calgary (CA) and Night Swimming Theater (DK)
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2008 - 2010 : SKOLEN FOR SAMTIDSDANS
2-year education - contemporary dancer
Oslo, Norway
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2007 - 2008 : TRØNDERTUN FØLKEHØGSKOLE​
1-year training
Melhus, Norway
PORTFOLIO / BY THOMAS OF NORWAY
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2024 : HE, SIREN? (WORKING TITLE)
Under development
With support from Forum for nordnorske dansekunstnere
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2023 : CAN YOU HEAR THE WIND? (SOLO)
Co-produced by Nordland Akademi for Kunst og Vitenskap
Created with funding from Kultursamarbeidet i Vesterålen and Museum nord
Premiere: 15. September 2023
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2023 : THEN, YOU LEFT (SOLO)
A solo version of Holding Position (2021)
Co-produced by Lofoten kulturhus
Premiere: 27. April 2023
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2021 : HOLDING POSITION (DUO)
Co-produced by Lofoten kulturhus
Created with funding from Davvi - Center for performing Arts, Nordland Visual Theater, Hurtigrutens Hus, Art Council Norway, Lofoten kulturhus,
Nordland County, Vågan Municipality and Øksnes Municipality.
Premiere: September 2021
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2021 : FAMILIAR STRANGER
Co-produced and created for Fremmedart
Premiere: August 2021
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2019 : YOU MIGHT LIKE ME BETTER IF WE SLEEP TOGETHER (SOLO)
Co-produced by Lofoten kulturhus
Created with funding from Davvi - Center for performing arts, Art Council Norway, Lofoten kulturhus og Nordland County.
Premiere: September 2019
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2017 : UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN (DUO)
Co-produced by Lofoten kulturhus
Created with funding from Lofoten kulturhus og Nordland County
Premiere: September 2017
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2016 : IN SILENCE WE TRUST (SOLO)
Premiere: October 2016
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2016 : TOMORROW FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY (SOLO)
With support from Kaviar Factory
Premiere: Februar 2016
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2015/2026 : WHEN BOYS CRY (SOLO)
Created with private fundings
Premiere: April 2016
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2015 : NO VISIBILITY (SOLO)
Produced with support from Rennebu Municipality
Premiere: Februar 2015
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2014 : PICTURE PERFECT (DUO)
Produced with support from Hitra Municipality
Premiere: October 2014
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2014 : SIBIR (DUO)
Produced with support from Hitra Municipality
Premiere: February 2014
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2012 : PILLOWS (DUO)
Produced with support from Sortland Municipality
Premiere: June 2012
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2010-2011 : SOCIETY´S LOCKER ROOM (VERSION 1: SOLO 2010 / VERSION 2: TRIO 2011)
Produced with support from Vesterålen Regionråd
Premiere: 2010/2011
GUEST PLAYS / TOURINGS / FESTIVALS
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2024
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DOUBLE BILL
Thomas of Norway and Martijn Joling (NL)
Project manager and choreographer
Lofoten kulturhus, September 10th, 2024
With fundings from Art Council Norway, Fond for lyd og bilde, FFUK, Nordland fylkeskommune
In cooperation with Lofoten kulturhus
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TOUR - THE HOME EDITION / WHEN BOYS CRY
Tour in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark Counties, April - November 2024
With support from Art Council Norway
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Guest play with 4 performances of You Might Like Me Better If We Sleep Together 13. og 14. February 2024
Mo i Rana, Norway
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2023
Guest play with 2 performances of When Boys Cry 16. og 17. February 2023
Mo i Rana, Norway
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GALLERI REDAN
Performances of What Is Real In Intuitional Adaption, When There Are Sediments To Reality by Rina Eide Løvaasen (SE)
21. February 2023
Malmö, Sweden
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VÅRSCENEFEST - TROMSØ SCENEKUNSTFESTIVAL
Premiere: Then, You Left, 27. April 2023
Tromsø, Norway
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RENNEBU KIRKE
Guest play with Then, You Left 11. June 2023 - In cooperation with Rennebu Menighetsråd
Rennebu, Norway
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THE HOME EDITION - MALMÖ
When Boys Cry, guest play in private home, 4. September
Malmö, Sweden
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MALMÖ OPEN STUDIOS
Performance What Is Real In Intuitional Adaption, When There Are Sediments To Reality by Rina Eide Løvaasen (SE)
01.-02. September 2023
Malmö, Sweden
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Premiere: Can You Hear The Wind? 15. September 2023
Co-produced by Nordland Akademi for kunst og vitenskap, in cooperation with Kultursamarbeidet i Vesterålen and Museum nord.
Melbu, Norway
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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
When Boys Cry 9. oktober 2023 in cooperation with Kulturfabrikken Sortland
Sortland, Norway
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When Boys Cry 10. oktober 2023 in cooperation with Lofoten kulturhus
Svolvær, Norway
Workshop in social media for dancers
In cooperation with DanseFestival Barents and Forum for Nordnorske Dansekunstnere
Hammerfest, Norway
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2022
OSLO FRI
Performance: When Boys Cry 11. November 2022, Salt Art & Music
With support from Art Council Norway, Fond for utøvende kunstnere, Salt Art & Music and Oslo Teatersenter
Oslo, Norway
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GALLERI BELENIUS
Performance: What Is Real In Intuitional Adaption, When There Are Sediments To Reality by Rina Eide Løvaasen (SE)
12. November 2022
Stockholm, Sweden
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PRIDE ART
Performance: When Boys Cry 14. October, Kulturkirken Jakob
Oslo, Norway
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TOUR - THE HOME EDITION / WHEN BOYS CRY
Tour in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark Counties, May - September 2022
With support from Nordland County, Forum for Nordnorske Dansekunstnere and Scenekunst LOVE
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KUNSTHALL GRENLAND
Performance: What Is Real In Intuitional Adaption, When There Are Sediments To Reality by Rina Eide Løvaasen (SE)
10.-19. June 2022
Porsgrunn, Norway
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THE HOME EDITION - KRAGERØ
When Boys Cry, performance in private home, 17. June
Kragerø, Norway
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2021
Performance: When Boys Cry 11. December 2021, Teatr Baza - In cooperation with Dance Highways
Funded by Davvi - Center for performing arts, Bodø2024 and Erasmus+
Warsaw, Poland
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Performance: Holding Position 13. November, Arktisk kultursenter
With support form Davvi - Center for performing arts
Hammerfest, Norway
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FREMMEDART
Created for Fremmedart : Familiar Stranger, August 2021
Ramberg, Norway
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ARCTIC ARTS FESTIVAL / FESTSPILLENE I NORD-NORGE
Performance: You Might Like Me Better If We Sleep Together 26. June
Harstad, Norway
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2020
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Performance: When Boys Cry 4.-8. November, Arktisk kultursenter
With support from Dansearena nord, Forum for Nordnorske Dansekunstnere and SpareBank1 Nord-Norge
Hammerfest, Norway
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THE HOME EDITION / WHEN BOYS CRY
Guest plays ini private homes 20. - 24. February: Oslo, Stjørdal og Rennebu
Norway
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2019
RADVENT 2019
Performance: You Might Like Me Better If We Sleep Together, 11. December 2019, RådStua Teaterhus
Tromsø, Norway
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DANSSTATIONEN - PLATFORM
Performance: You Might Like Me Better If We Sleep Together, 06. December 2019, Palladium Malmö
Malmö, Sweden
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THE HOME EDITION / WHEN BOYS CRY
Guest plays in private home, 2. November 2019
Malmö, Sweden
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PLATTFORM NORD
Performance: When Boys Cry 09.-13. October 2019
Kristiansand, Norway
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FORUM FOR NORDNORSKE DANSEKUNSTNERE - 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Performance: When Boys Cry 10. august 2019, RådStua Teaterhus
Tromsø, Norway
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2018
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Performance: When Boys Cry 20. October
Ballangen, Norway
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2017
THE INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY - LOFOTEN KULTURHUS
Performance: When Boys Cry 27. April - In cooperation with Lofoten kulturhus
Svolvær, Norway
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SVOLVÆR KIRKE
Performance: When Boys Cry 25. January 2018
Svolvær, Norway
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2016
LYDRØRT - A PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL
Performance: When Boys Cry 30. April 2016, Trevarefabrikken
Henningsvær, Norway
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IN THE NAME OF COD - A QUEER ART FESTIVAL
Performance: When Boys Cry 30. November
Røst Island, Norway
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TOUR - DEN KULTURELLE SKOLESEKKEN
Touring in Vågan Municipality with When Boys Cry 21.-25. November 2016
Lofoten, Norway
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2015
PRAGUE QUADRENNIAL OF PERFORMANCE DESIGN & SPACE
Performance: No Monopoly In Smooth Spaces by Rina Eide Løvaasen (SE)
Prague, Czechia
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REITIR
Work showing of 24 Hour Shaddow - 29. June 2015
Siglufjörður, Iceland
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REITIR
Performance: No Visibility 24. June 2015
Siglufjörður, Iceland
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ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2024 : DIP - DANCE IN PROGRESS
The Arctic Hideaway, Fleinvær. Development of solo work "He, Siren?"
29.08. - 07.09.2024
Fleinvær/Bodø, Norway
2022 : DAVVI - CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Thomas of Norway and Ida Løken Valkeapaä - September 2022
Hammerfest, Norway
2022: DAVVI - CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Home Residency, Thomas of Norway and Ida Løken Valkeapaä - Mars 2022
Stokmarknes / Tromsø, Norway
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2021 : NORDLAND VISUAL THEATER
Holding Position - May/June 2021
Stamsund, Norway
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2020 : DANSEARENA NORD
Thomas of Norway - Guest Artist 2020, Dansearena nord
Hammerfest, Norway
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2019 : DANSEARENA NORD
You Might Like Me Better If We Sleep Together - February 2019
Hammerfest, Norway
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2015 : KULTURFABRIKKEN SORTLAND
Thomas of Norway, July 2015
Sortland, Norway
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2015: REITIR
May/June 2015 - Siglufjörður
Supported by Vesterålen Regionråd and Tilbakestrøm
Siglufjörður, Iceland
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CO-CREATING
2023 : BIRRI - CARRIERS
Choreographer and dancer, Music video by BIRRI
Svolvær, Norway
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2022 : RINA EIDE LØVAASEN (SE)
Choreographer and performer in What Is Real Intuitional Adaption, When There Are Sediments To Reality?
By Rina Eide Løvaasen (SEO)
Malmö, Sweden
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2018 : GRENSELØS
Work created for Vesterålen Regionråd - 30 year anniversary
Choreographer, "PUST" ("BREATH")
Sortland, Norway
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2018: CAMILLA FIGENSCHOU
Choreographer, performer and actor in the movie Tauba by Camilla Figenschou (NO)
Lofoten, Norway
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2017 : TINE SUREL LANGE
Choreographer and performer in the short video "Kroppspress" by Tine Surel Lange (NO)
Henningsvær, Norway
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2017: HANNE KOLSTØ DUO
Choreographer "FAKE LIGHTS" for Aorta Dance Company in cooperation with Hanne Kolstø
Svolvær, Norway
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2015 : RINA EIDE LØVAASEN (SE)
Choreographer and performer in "No Monopoly In Smooth Spaces" by Rina Eide Løvaasen (SE)
Malmö April - May 2025
Malmö, Sweden
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
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2018 : NORDLAND KUNST- OG FILMFAGSKOLE
Guest teacher, November 2018
Kabelvåg, Norway
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2016 - 2022 : AORTA DANSEKOMPANI
Artistic Director and choreographer
Svolvær, Norway
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2017 : LIAF - LOFOTEN INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL
Workshop leader - Performance workshop
Henningsvær, Norway
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2016 : LYDRØRT - EN PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL
Workshop in composition and body works, April 2016
Henningsvær, Norway
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2012 - 2014 : HITRA KULTURSKOLE
Dance Teacher 100% position, shared with Frøya Municipality
Hitra, Norway
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2010 - 2011 : SORTLAND KULTURSKOLE
Dance Teacher 80% temporary position
Sortland, Norway
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GRANTS / OTHER SUPPORT
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2022 : GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR ARTISTS
Diversestipend - www.kulturradet.no
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2022 : MEMBER GRANT
Forum for Nordnorske Dansekunstnere - www.fnnd.no
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2021 : DANSEARENA NORD - GUEST ARTIST
Grant and development programme
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2020 : PRODUCER SUPPORT
Dansearena nord, 2020-2021
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2020: MEMBER GRANT
Forum for Nordnorske Dansekunstnere - www.fnnd.no
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2019 : GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR ARTISTS
Diversestipend - www.kulturradet.no
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2015 : VESTERÅLEN REGIONRÅD
Travel Grant
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TRUSTED POSITIONS
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2021 - 2024 : SCENEKUNST LOFOTEN & VESTERÅLEN
Founder and manager
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2024 - 2025 : NORSK KULTURRÅD
Member of jury (Dance)
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2024 - 2025 : DAVVI - SENTER FOR SCENEKUNST
Board member
2022 - 2024 : PRODA PROFESJONELL DANSETRENING
Deputy Board Member
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2022 - 2023 : NORSK KULTURRÅD
Member of jury (Performing Arts)
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2023 - 2024 : DAVVI - SENTER FOR SCENEKUNST
Board member
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2021 - 2022 : FORUM FOR NORDNORSKE DANSEKUNSTNERE
Board member
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2020 - 2021 : OSLO TEATERSENTER
Member of jury
MEMBER OF
CREO
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FORUM FOR NORDNORSKE DANSEKUNSTNERE
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PAHN - PERFORMING ARTS HUB NORWAY / DANSE- OG TEATERSENTRUM
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OSLO TEATERSENTER
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SCENEKUNST LOFOTEN & VESTERÅLEN
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