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Master's in theatre research

Since August 2023, Katarzyna has been pursuing an MA in Theatre (performing, directing, and dramaturgy) at the Academy of Arts (KHiO) in Oslo, Norway.

Her research delves into the concept of "LABELS" that we place on ourselves and others, focusing on diversity and inclusion. By examining labels in social, identity, professional, and private contexts, her work seeks to explore their impact on perceptions, relationships, and opportunities, fostering greater understanding and dialogue within and beyond the theatre field.

Why now?

         Katarzyna about her research: 

 

"The structure of modern society tends to categorize people into groups based on labels. Language, with its inherent power, assigns meaning and significance to these labels, whether positive, negative, or neutral. The interpretation of these labels is highly context-dependent, shaped by factors such as origin, location, culture, life experiences, trauma, and even inexplicable elements like dopamine levels or subconscious biases.

Labels have the capacity to both unite and divide. This research, therefore, seeks to explore and express diversity by first highlighting what unites us, fostering empathy and understanding. Simultaneously, it investigates theoretical frameworks surrounding identity formation asking: How do labels-both self-imposed and externally assigned-shape our understanding of ourselves and each other? What resides within the common ground that unites us beyond these categories?

 

I believe that bridging differences, promoting inclusive practices, and embracing diversity are essential steps toward developing a society enriched by multiple forms of expression. Only by understanding different perspectives can we truly evolve as humanity and fostering a more compassionate, equitable, and interconnected world."

Semester 4

WE ALL HAVE A NAVEL

​Development and staging of my graduation performance, the self-authored theatre piece WE ALL HAVE A NAVEL.

 

The premiere took place on March 13, 2025, on Scene 3 at the Academy of Arts in Oslo. The performance was presented three times in total and was attended by 274 audience members.

MASTER PROJECTS

ABOUT PHENOMENA AND EXISTENCES

​My participation as a performer in Johanna Øyno’s graduation performance. The work itself takes the form of a cabaret, interweaving selected texts, predominantly by Daniil Kharms alongside contributions from other authors with live musical accompaniment (in which I perform on violin), choreographed movement, and aerial work. The production premiered on 21 May 2025 in Scene 3 at the Oslo Academy of Arts and was presented in three performances.

PERFORMANCE LECTURE "LABEL"

​Presentation and defense of my theoretical thesis Labels at the Oslo Academy of the Arts.

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Semester 3

Projects: 

UTANFOR BORTANFOR 

2. - 8.09.2024

A captivating theatre performance created in collaboration with the vibrant community of Dale i Fjaler, bringing together kindergarten children, residents of the local elderly home, and a brass orchestra. Developed during an immersive week-long workshop, the production featuring performers ranging in age from 4 to 98 blends music, folk tales, and contemporary circus to weave a heartfelt narrative that celebrates the power of diverse community. 

SIRKUSLANDSBYEN

16.-21.09.2024

A devised performance with children and youth, blending text creation, writing, contemporary circus, and dance. Through this creative process, participants explore the concept of labels in relation to their own identities and their passion for circus arts, crafting a deeply personal and dynamic expression of self-discovery.

​Å GÅ NED MENS MAN GÅR OPP 25.-27.11.2024

A collaboration with Johanna Øyno, blending the ethereal grace of aerial acrobatics with the raw emotional depth of Butoh theatre. This research seeks to uncover new pathways of artistic expression, where challenged movement creates a transformative language of performance.

THE RICH AND THE POOR

9.-11.10.2024

Directed by Johanna Øyno, this project explores minimalist expression and a feminist approach to staging prose. Through a refined focus on movement, musicality and narrative, actors delve into the complexities of wealth, inequality, and layers of human connection.

 

ALMOST EVERYONE

28.10-8.11.2024

A collaboration with third-year contemporary dance students, serving as a consultant and instructor in aerial circus arts. 

SCRIPT WORK - JENNY GLADHEIM ANDERSSON

27.-29.11.2024

Collaborative script reading with classmates, blending performance and text exploration.

WE ALL HAVE A NAVEL

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      Courses and workshops

  • Katie Mitchell - Skills in Theatre Directing course 26.08.- 20.09.2024

  • Martin Slaatto teaterforum 28.08.2024

  • Nye Teater Agder Magnus Sparsaas teaterforum 23.09.2024

  • Maria Delgado - Theatre as a site for forging democracy 14.10.2024

  • Uta Plate - devising, body, movement in the context of tears 4.-6.11.2024

  • Roy Hart Theatre - voice, body, movement workshops 11.11.2024-15.11.2024

  • Gemma Crooks and Erica Jeffrey - diversity in the working space, Diego Moschkovich Stanislavsky analytic method through a brasilian lense 27.11.2024

  • ​Simon Stephens - writing workshops 5.-6.12.2024

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Semester 2

Projects: 

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​​​​IBSENISLAND

8.01 - 25.04.2024 premiere Ibsenscope festival Skien

A devised theatre performance created with classmates, featuring my portrayal of Norma within a world of various Ibsen characters. My research and responsibilities include shaping the musical dramaturgy, integrating political satire, and exploring the theme of failure in the context of labels.

Norma's lamento - K.Sanak

MOVEMENT THEATRE

12.- 22.05.2024

Internship in Tbilisi.

       Courses and workshops

  • Gunhild Mathea Husvik-Olausen- Skills in set design course 15.01.- 2.02.2024

  • Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch Berlin - workshops from methods of collaborating with people in groups 5.-10.02.2024

  • Morten Espeland - Suzuki, Fosse and Viewpoints workshops 26.02-13.03.2024

  • Jesper Halle, Katrine Nedrejord, Kristofer Blindheim Grønskag, Liv Heløe - writing workshop and work on the script "We all have a Navel" 26.02-13.03.2024

  • ​Bachelor på en helg - dramaturgy seminar with MATILDE HOLDHUS, SERGE VON ARX, CHRISTINA OUZOUNIDIS, SIMON STEPHENS, CAMARA LUNDESTAD JOOF 1.-3.03.2024

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Semester 1

Projects: 

 

​​​​AND WHAT IS YOUR LABEL?

weeks 39 - 48 

A research which explores labels in the professional context, particularly within the circus industry in collaboration with Tamar Ohana Goksøy and other collegues from the industry. Drawing on Arnold van Gennep’s "Rites of Passage" and anthropological perspectives, the study looks at identity and its role in performance..

 

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​YOU CAN MAKE ME WHOLE AGAIN

weeks 41

A devised project centered on sound dramaturgy, created in collaboration with MADA and MAKO, exploring the interplay of sound and performance in a dynamic creative process.

 

​DARK ROOM/WHITE ROOM

weeks 43 - 44

A devised project collaboratively developed with my class, examining the interplay of darkness and brightness through diverse creative methodologies and techniques.

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      Courses and workshops

  • Marius Holth Stemmereise - voice workshop week 37

  • Mads Thygesen - Applied dramaturgy course weeks 38 - 39 and 42

  • Petra Fransson - Susan Sontag lecture weeks 38 - 39

  • Espen Klouman Høiner - Poetics Aristotle weeks 38 - 39

  • Jon Jesper Halle writing course weeks 37 and 40

  • Sylvi Fredriksen - movement workshops week 38

  • Elisabeth Gmeiner - management workshops week 41

  • Kyrre Bjørkås - visual dramaturgy 4.-15.12.2023

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Contact me

in English, Polish, Norwegian or French

so we can be creative together
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