Local, Open-Air Performances in Norway as Interdisciplinary Theatre

Abstract

Each year local amateur actors in small, rural communities all over Norway stage a large number of open-air performances. Most of them are performed annually, and indeed some have been performed for almost fifty years. The interdisciplinary nature of these performances is founded on the principle of dugnad (community cooperation and participation) which brings to the performances local knowledges and skills. These productions thus attract large audiences because of their fusion of elements from theatre, music, dance, sport and crafts performed by skilled professionals turned amateur actors from the community. These interdisciplinary rituals are repeated annually by rural communities as the expression of local cultural disciplines harnessed together in performance.