Vacant job

The assignment involves leading a cheerful group of amateur actors to perform this year's Arnljotspel outdoors at the beautiful and historic Arnljotlägden during early summer. The ensemble consists of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and ages, and therefore you need to create clarity and joy in the work with the production, as well as provide constructive guidance to the actors.

Qualifications

Work experience in leading and directing amateur theater, especially outdoor productions / open-air theater.

Desired education/experience

We are looking for someone who is a theater educator, drama educator, dramaturg, director, or has similar experience.

Extra merit is experience in amateur theater and group leadership.

Personal suitability is important, and interviews/selection will be conducted continuously.

The role of the director

The director's task is to interpret Wilhelm Peterson-Bergers script within the framework of the association's values, management tasks, and to direct the ensemble, overseeing the artistic aspect of the production.

You should have documented practical experience in theater activities, preferably with both professional and amateur ensembles. We would like you to be interested in music and movement/dance as this is a spoken drama created from an opera, and there is room for choreographed/musical expressions.

An important task for the director is to guide all actors based on their individual circumstances and to provide constructive criticism and clarity in their actions on stage. You need to be able to listen and be somewhat receptive to the members, but above all, be able to take command and drive the work forward to this year's performance.

About the performance

The theater association Arnljotspelen is a non-profit organization that manages the annual production of Arnljotspelen on Frösön - the longest-running open-air theater in the Nordic countries. The play is a Viking drama based on the opera Arnljot by Wilhelm Peterson-Berger. The spoken drama premiered in 1935, consists of three acts, and is usually about 2.5 hours long. The script has been reworked from the ground up several times, most recently in 2022, and undergoes certain revisions each year in consultation between the director and the association's board.

As a director, you have artistic freedom to rework the script within the framework of the association's values and mission.

About the participants

As a director, you will work very closely and intensely with the ensemble and the association's elected representatives during the rehearsal period. Everyone except the director is an amateur and participates on a voluntary basis.

The ensemble is expected to consist of about 20-30 people, of which about 18 are speaking roles. Casting is done by the association's board in the spring, preferably in consultation with the director if they wish.

The association also has elected representatives with assignments in props, costumes, photography, etc., to help you realize the artistic vision. In addition, we plan, if desired, for a directing assistant from the association, who can be there to support you during your assignment as director.

Times

This year's performance premieres on 2026-07-04 and runs until July 12 (with a break on July 8). The director's assignment ends with the premiere.

The schedule can be somewhat shaped by the director, but since the ensemble consists of amateurs with other jobs, we have recently settled on the following format: Rehearsals typically start on the last weekend of May with rehearsals throughout June leading up to the premiere, primarily in the evenings and on weekends. Deviating times for individual rehearsals with speaking role holders can be agreed upon with the relevant actors.

More about the association

Read more about Arnljotspelen and the association: www.arnljot.se

Please feel free to contact us with questions!