NEWS: Swedish ITI Newsletter

OUR FRIENDS at the Swedish section of ITI have just sent along their December newsletter, which is viewable as a web page here. The publication includes news of interest to theater aficionados everywhere, with special focus on Scendatabasen, which compiles thorough listings of productions of theater, dance, and opera beginning in 2007--data collection began in 2006--and includes productions opening this month. It is a superb resource for researchers, critics, artists, and the public.

The newsletter also links to information about Swedstage 2014, the second edition of this exciting festival. The recent edition of Swedstage featured eleven perfomances including a Mats Ek production of The Emigrants, based on the classic novel by Vilhelm Moberg and dramatized by Irena Kraus. One particularly interesting event of Swedstage is the "Pitch of Swedish Playwrights" during which playwrights pitch their ideas to an assembled group and present new scripts aimed at all types of audiences. Fifty persons from nearly thirty nations were represented at the festival. The next edition is scheduled for 2016.

According to the newsletter, Teaterunionen – Swedish ITI

is the forum for co-operation and information within Swedish performing arts and the center for contact and exchange across borders. We are a member organization for Swedish institutions and organizations within Swedish performing arts and arrange the Swedish Biennial for Performing Arts, which is the largest Swedish national festival and meeting.

Teaterunionen also handles various national and international theatre projects such as improving the international knowledge of Swedish plays, showcase Swedish performing arts for the international market and co-operations across borders. We also arrange national and international seminars and conferences.

Moving: The Emigrants, directed by Mats Ek, Swedstage 2014.
Photo: Sören Vilks