Throughout the residency, CommonLAB artists work on their individual projects. They engaged in collaborative sessions with experienced dramaturges. This hands-on approach provided personalized mentorship within a supportive environment. Two group sessions were held, allowing artists to share experiences and thoughts about their ongoing process, followed by three one-to-one meetings.
Between the sessions, artists worked independently in their respective rehearsal spaces.
October 10
Visit of the Riksteatern.
The cohort visited the RT and met house key figures to better understand this quite unique organization; a professional and modern production house relying on popular dynamics since 1933.
Afternoon was devoted to the first group session with dramaturges Ninna Tersman, Alexander Charlamov and Jani Lohikari. The dramaturges’ first-hand experience as active playwrights and their versatility across genres ensured meaningful support for the participants.
Born in 1992 in Stockholm, Alexander Charlamov has been serving as a dramaturge at RT since the Fall 2022. In addition to his responsibilities at Riksteatern, Charlamov is actively involved with SCEN DEMON, an independent performing arts collective co-founded in 2017.
Born in 1966 in Stockholm, Ninna Tersman is a playwright and dramaturge with a BA in Theatre and Literature from Stockholm University and a master's degree in Dramaturgy from Stockholm University of the Arts. In the past ten years, she’s one of RT’s most experienced dramaturges. Her plays are regularly featured on stages across Sweden.
Born in 1980, playwright and dramaturge, Jani Lohikari received training at the Stockholm University of the Arts. Lohikari is one of the founders of Kaveri-kollektivet, a theatre group with particular focus on the Swedish-Finnish minority.
October 11
The artistic leaders of the theatre department, Mindy Drapsa, Malin Axelsson and Dritëro Kasapi, presented the RT policy for theatre in Swedish sign language, as well as the theatre programmes for young audiences and adults and its strategies to target new audience groups.
Afternoon was dedicated to individual works.
October 12
Workshop with Anna Vnuk
The artists followed a workshop by Anna Vnuk. Vnuk's extensive and varied experience in the performing arts positions her as an ideal workshop leader for young artists. Her unique ability to seamlessly integrate music, dance, drama, and comedy into her work brings a creative and innovative approach to the forefront.
Born in 1974 in Luleå, Anna Vnuk is an accomplished choreographer, dancer, director, and playwright. With a diverse portfolio spanning stage, film, and TV productions, Vnuk currently focuses on creating a new play, Anna Vnuk is the Bastard for Unga Klara in Stockholm.
In the evening, the artists attended the Cinderella's performance and met director Nora Nilsson.
October 13
Individual works sessions were organized in dialogue with the set designer Hanna Cecilia W Lindkvist and the sound designer Stefan Johansson.
October 14
Queer excursion with Robert Fux
Artists were invited to a queer visit of Stockholm with actor and drag performer Robert Fux. Fux's distinctive perspective, injects a dynamic quality into the exploration of Stockholm's history. His skillful fusion of pop culture with historical contexts allows participants to connect with the city's evolution through a lens that is both deeply personal and simultaneously places small details within a broader historical framework.
Born in 1975 in Kalmar, Robert Fux is an actor and drag performer currently based in Stockholm. As a permanent ensemble member at Stockholm City Theatre and the host of Ru Paul's Dragrace on Swedish Public Television, he brings a multifaceted artistic presence.
The walk was followed by a visit to Accelerator, the exhibition space for art, science and societal issues at Stockholm University.
October 16
Lecture with Haris Agic
Doctor in social anthropology, a child of war and a refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haris Agic was invited to give a lecture.
Born in 1977 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haris Agic holds a Ph.D. in social anthropology and contributes to various domains, including academia, cultural entrepreneurship, and the arts. As a strategist for democracy and inclusion, Agic's lectures, writings, and cultural initiatives aim to foster understanding in cultural interactions. His background as a war child and refugee shapes both his lectures and cultural contributions. One key aspect that makes Haris a valuable speaker is his range from qualitative research, report writing, expertise in diversity and inclusion, to topics like democracy, adult education, racism, and social sustainability.
In the evening, a dinner was organized with guests from the local artistic scene: journalists, filmmakers, actors, visual artists, and authors…
October 17
The day was mostly dedicated to individual works.
In the evening, artists attended the Romeo and Julia performance and met the Unga Klara ensemble.
October 18
Lecture by Åsa Sima
Having grown up in a family of reindeer herders in Sweden's second northernmost Sami village, Åsa Sima shared her experience as a theatre artist and an activist in the global indigenous peoples' network.
Born in 1963 in Karesuando, Åsa Sima hails from Sweden's second northernmost Sami village. She is not only an actor, writer, and director but also a practitioner of the traditional Sami vocal art form known as “joik”. This art form holds profound cultural and spiritual significance for the Sami people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of Sápmi, spanning parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Her broad experience and understanding of both traditional and contemporary storytelling are reflected in her role as an artist and Artistic Director at Sámi Teáhter.
October 19 - 21
Individual works
© Joacim Gustafson