Norwegian Theatre Academy – WHAT NOW?

NTA Alumni is organizing a seminar at Black Box teater to shed light on the closure of the Norwegian Theatre Academy (Akademi for Scenekunst), its legacy, and possible future. The aim is to learn from this process and discuss how the performing arts field can be strengthened moving forward.

The program will include panel discussions with experts and stakeholders from the performing arts field, organizations, and institutions. The seminar is organized by NTA Alumni and will be conducted in both Norwegian and English.

PROGRAM

• 11.00–12.00: SAVE NTA DEMONSTRATION
  Before the seminar, a demonstration supporting the "Save NTA" movement will be organized by NTA students. The demonstration will take place in front of Oslo Congress Centre Folkets Hus, Youngstorget, on the occasion of the Norwegian Labour Party's National Congress 2025. COME TO SUPPORT!
• 12.30: Doors open / Coffee and snacks
• 13.00: Welcome by Nela H. Kornetová and Marina Popovic, and Theatre Director of Black Box teater, Jørgen Knudsen (English/Norwegian)
• 13.10: Introduction by OsloMet Professor Camilla Eeg – “NTA's unique pedagogy and its position in the Norwegian educational landscape” (English)
• 13.20–14.10: Panel of NTA Alumni (English)
  • Victoria Røising – Witch Club Satan, Lost & Found Production
  • Rebekka Nystabakk – Rebekka & Huy, actress and filmmaker
  • Josephine Kyllén Collins – Death Man, Gutta, actress
  • Jakob Orredson – Verk Produksjoner, Program Coordinator BA Scenography, Scenographer
  • Lasse Lilleng – NTA BA Acting student, director (KHiO alumni)
  • Milla Anna Ingrid Berglund Magndahl – NTA BA Scenography student
• 14.10–14.20: Q&A and remarks
• 14.20–14.30: BREAK – Coffee and snacks
• 14.30: Introduction by Anne Berit Løland, former head of administration of Norwegian Theatre Academy – “The conditions for arts education: The institutional history of the Norwegian Theatre Academy” (Norwegian)
• 14.40: Panel discussion moderated by Hege Knarvik Sande from PAHN (Norwegian):
  • Morten Gjelten – Director, Norwegian Theatre and Orchestra Association
  • Julie Støp – Deputy Leader, Norwegian Actors' Association
  • Tine Rude – Administrative Leader, BIT Teatergarasjen
  • Kyrre Heldal Carlsen – Chair, Norwegian Scenographers in CREO
  • Victoria Meirik – Dean, Theatre Academy at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO)
  • Katja Eyde Jacobsen - Head of Department, Kabelvåg Art Film School / UiT - The Arctic University of Norway
  • Kathy Lie – Member of Parliament, Socialist Left Party (SV), Family and Cultural Affairs Committee
• 15.40–15.55: Q&A and remarks
• 16.00–16.15: BREAK – Coffee and snacks
• 16.15–17.00: CIRCLE TALK – Where do we go from here?
• 17.00–19.00: Social gathering with open bar

For over 30 years, the Academy has educated renowned and influential performing artists with significant impact both nationally and internationally, and has been home to Norway's only scenography program.

The decision to close the Academy came swiftly, in less than two months, with minimal participation and opportunity for influence. The closure sparked widespread engagement: how could this happen? How do we preserve the legacy of the school and an entire professional community?

This closure is part of a larger challenge involving cuts to cultural budgets and offerings, as well as reprioritizations in Norway. These are democratic and political challenges that we, as artists, must urgently address and navigate. The seminar invites the public, press, politicians, the performing arts field, and other interested parties to a conversation about the continued effort to strengthen the conditions for performing arts and the field as a whole.