30 years of Theater Academy

In 2026, it will be 30 years since the first students began their studies at the Theater Academy at Luleå University of Technology. Over the weekend of September 12–13, alumni, students, faculty, and guests celebrated the anniversary.

The Luleå Theater Academy was founded in 1996 as a collaboration between Luleå University of Technology and the Norrbottensteatern (Norrbotten Theater) and is the youngest of the country’s theater academies. Its unique location right next door to the Norrbottensteatern provides a natural setting for collaboration. Actors from the theater teach in the program, and students often participate in the Norrbottensteatern productions.

Vice–Chansellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn inaugurated the evening.

One of the people who helped establish the program is actress and director Anna Azcárate. She describes a young and innovative theater academy in Luleå in the 1990s.

“My own training and early years in the theater had been marked by an authoritarian atmosphere and a clear hierarchy. My dream when we started the Luleå Theater Academy was therefore to train actors who are autonomous and know for whose sake they do what they do. We were fearless and quick on our feet during those first years at the Theater Academy. Sure, we made mistakes, but we dared to take risks and we pushed the boundaries,” says Anna Azcárate.

Ulf Friberg gives a speech that turns out to be an entrance exam before a jury of strict students.

Collaborates with Norrbottensteatern

Ulf Friberg has been the education leader of the acting program since 2014. He holds a Ph.D. in Performing Arts and is a professor. He describes the Theater Academy as a small and intimate environment and is eager to highlight the close collaboration with Norrbottensteatern.

“The proximity to the professional world gives students an early insight into how the acting profession works in practice and how they themselves function in that world. A common piece of feedback I receive from theaters where our students have completed their extended internships is that they understand what the profession entails and that they’re good at collaborating.”

The fact that the Theater Academy is so small makes it possible for the teachers to get to know all the students.

“Each student benefits from a personal and professional teacher–student relationship and coaching from various teachers who offer different perspectives on the acting profession. This is more evident than it would be in a larger setting, where there’s always a risk of getting lost in the crowd. It’s a supportive and safe environment. The teachers’ doors are always open—just drop by.”

Students Malte Johansson, Ana Magdalena Quijano, and Kasper Warfvinge provided one of several musical performances during the evening.

Safe Environment

He believes that the safe environment also helps students feel confident enough to take risks.

“They dare to explore and question. They’re curious and have their own opinions. As a teacher, it’s wonderful that we have so many discussions!”

Ulf Friberg also appreciates that the Theater Academy is part of Luleå University of Technology. This facilitates encounters between the performing arts and a wide variety of disciplines.

“For me personally, it’s fun because I’m interested in so many other things besides acting. Besides, it’s part of the acting profession that it intersects with other fields. As an actor, you have to have an interest in and an understanding of society. It’s incredibly exciting to be part of such a diverse university. I hope we can establish more collaborations, for example through educational programs and joint research projects.”

A table-side conversation. Student Vera Hamnebo in conversation with teacher, director, and playwright Rasmus Lindberg.

The party continued with a concert at the Theater Academy. The band consisted of both students and alumni.

What is your fondest memory from the Theater Academy?

Hanna Schön, alumna 2001–2005

“The final production at the Umeå Theater Biennial. We staged “The Cold Child” by Marius von Mayenburg. We had so much fun, and it was so well received. We got to explore a lot of things and were part of the entire creative process.”

Casper Karlsson, third-year student

“The theater academy seminar when students from all the theater academies in Sweden were here in Luleå. The fact that we’ve organised so many different activities in our class and with the other class.”

Ana Magdalena Quijano, sophomore

“The clowning classes where we prepared by putting a sock on our heads while listening to classical music. It was meditative and a lot of fun.”

Per Lagergren, alumnus 1996–1999

“All those exciting encounters. We saw the play “Stalin” starring Sven Wollter and Lasse Pöysti. The next day, we got to talk about theater with them. We also got to meet Sif Ruud and Staffan Westerberg. It was as if my childhood had come back to say, “Hi!”

• More About the Theater Academy