Jasmin
Talebisomehsaraei
Subject:
Ibsen Studies
Degree:
Master's
Graduated:
2020
Position:
Theater Producer
Employer:
Det Andre Teatret, Oslo, Norway
– What are the most important aspects of your job?
– I currently work at an improvisational theater, where I engage in various projects as a producer and coordinator. Through these projects, I gain insights into different aspects of theater, such as scenography, costume design, and more.
Recently, I produced an improvised Ibsen performance in Norwegian and English. This was my first experience in producing improv theater, and I was able to apply all the academic knowledge from my studies. My current focus is to tour this performance in other cities in Norway, like Skien, as I believe an improvised Ibsen performance offers an innovative experience for all Ibsen enthusiasts.
– Why did you choose a master's program at the Centre for Ibsen Studies?
– I developed an interest in Ibsen during my adolescence and started to read his works at the age of 13. My mother studied theater at a university, so it wasn’t unusual to find Ibsen's plays on our bookshelves. When I first encountered the Norwegian dramatist, I found his works vastly different from other dramatists like Shakespeare, whose plays I found difficult to understand. Ibsen’s works, on the other hand, felt like peeling an onion, revealing deeper and deeper layers.
My mother's friend and teacher was a former PhD fellow at the Centre for Ibsen Studies. It was through her that I learned about the center. I am very interested in theater and literature and wanted to become more of an expert in Ibsen and Scandinavian drama.
It has always been my dream to become an expert in Ibsen studies and to delve deeply into his works at both as an academic and as a theater practitioner. Since I aimed at working in theater in Norway, the master’s program in Ibsen Studies was the best choice for me.
– Out of everything you learned in the master's program, what has been most useful to you in your job?
– Teamwork has been the most practical skill I acquired. Group discussions and assignments taught me to listen carefully to others and draw inspiration from them. Teamwork is essential when working in a large theater and this is a skill I honed during my studies at the Centre for Ibsen Studies.
– What is the best advice you can give new students who are thinking about job opportunities after completing their studies?
– For students who have immigrated, learning the local language is crucial for integrating into the culture and job market. Learning Norwegian during my studies was key to my success in finding a job. Additionally, don't be afraid to reach out to people with experience in your field of study. I contacted many professionals in theaters, museums, and cultural institutions, getting valuable advice from those who had already navigated this path.
– What is your favorite Ibsen work and why?
– When We Dead Awaken has always been my favorite play because it stands out from Ibsen’s other works. I believe this play reflects life and his unfulfilled dreams. Sculptor Rubek, in my view, represents Ibsen himself in his later years. The mysterious atmosphere and poetic nature of the play further distinguishes it from Ibsen's other plays.