A New Chapter Begins!
- fransescaquartey
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
On July 1st, I officially stepped into the role of Artistic Director of Norrbottensteatern in Luleå, in the Norrbotten region.
It still feels a little surreal to write those words. After many years as an actor, director, CEO of Västerbottensteatern, and most recently Chair of KLYS- the Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals - I have now been entrusted with leading one of Sweden's oldest and most exciting regional theatres. It is a privilege I approach with both deep humility and tremendous enthusiasm.
I have always believed in the power of theatre—the power to make us laugh, cry, question our assumptions, and connect across differences. At a time when the world seems to move faster than ever, I believe we need the performing arts more than ever: places where we can pause, reflect, and explore together what it means to be human.
Norrbotten is an extraordinary part of Sweden. It is home to breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural traditions, multiple languages, and powerful stories waiting to be told. I look forward to getting to know the region more deeply—to meeting its communities, audiences, artists, collaborators, and everyone who contributes to its vibrant cultural life.
Even before officially taking up my post, I travelled to Luleå to meet my new colleagues. Those first days were intense, inspiring, and filled with conversations, new faces, and countless impressions. What struck me immediately was the remarkable commitment, expertise, generosity, and warmth of the people at Norrbottensteatern. It left me even more convinced that together we can create theatre that moves people, challenges perspectives, and sparks meaningful conversations.
I also hope to bring curiosity and courage to this new chapter. The courage to explore new ideas, welcome new audiences, and embrace emerging technologies—including AI—as tools for artistic development, while never losing sight of what makes theatre truly unique: the irreplaceable experience of people gathering together in the same room to share a live story.
To me, leadership is about creating the conditions for others to do their very best work. It is about listening, building trust, and shaping a shared vision for the future.
This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter!
I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to working alongside the outstanding team at Norrbottensteatern as we continue to develop a theatre that is bold, relevant, and deeply rooted in the people and places of Norrbotten—while reaching audiences far beyond its borders. I can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
See you at Norrbottensteatern!
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