Jarand Barkved Leirvik from Tau in Rogaland is a former pupil and fellow in the line Actor at Vefsn Folkehøgskole Toppen. Now he is currently presenting a performance in Bergen, supported by Den Kulturelle Spaserstokken. He joined us as a half-year student on the spring course of Actor, and continued as a fellow the following year. He was active both in front of and behind the camera, and completed several projects with us.
What have you been up to after the summit?
After my time at the top, I have both studied and worked in Bergen. I took a bachelor's degree in “Drama and Applied Theatre” at Høgskulen in Western Norway, and later a one-year course in music at the NLA College. I also embarked on a master's in fine arts, but found that I'd rather pursue a master's degree in something else at a later date. In addition, I have had various jobs: in kindergarten, as an actor and museum host at Gamle Bergen Museum for the last five summer seasons, as a musician on the Danish boat, and with minor film and advertising assignments. All in all, I got a good variety of work experience and education, where the creative subjects definitely dominate.
A performance for the elderly
Right now I'm planning and writing a show that me and a friend will tour with in Bergen through”The cultural walking stick“. The project is time consuming and we have put up for a fairly extensive run, but of course we hope that it will be a success! The show is called”Shh, now it begins!” and to be played for the elderly in nursing homes and activity centers. It is about television in the old days, and is supposed to be a kind of television broadcast with elements from various characters and events, focusing on the 60's to 80's. We shall touring around Bergen with the performance, which is made and performed by me and my friend Endre Synnes Hagerup.
The idea really started out as a loose and funny thought, but eventually became more concrete when I spoke with a colleague who has also worked on such productions. She gave me information about DKS, and gradually the ideas began to flow on. The year before, I also had internship at a senior center in connection with the Master's programme in Arts, where we did theatre, music and various activities for the elderly — also for people with dementia. This practice gave me a lot of inspiration. It was incredibly rewarding to help create good moments in the everyday lives of the residents. After all this, I contacted my good friend Endre, who was positive and wanted to be part of the making of the performance.
What has the summit meant to you?
My years at the top were, as is often said about folk high school, some of the very best in my life. Everything we did, the togetherness, the community and all the good memories have meant a huge amount. I've always liked to do something a little different. I got the opportunity to do that here. The top has definitively helped develop my interest in creative subjects and helped me understand that this is what I want to work on. My year as a fellow student was also instructive — I gained more responsibility, developed professionally and thrived in the role of a kind of combination environmental worker and student.
What was the best thing about the line Actor?
regard actor line, it tempts to say that the best was Brit Valla (line teacher) -- but there's so much more too. I came in as half-year student and was very well received by an already established and fine class. I wasn't sure if I should move all the way to Mosjøen, a good distance away from Rogaland, but a nice message from teacher Brit made me want to start. One of the best things about the acting line was that everything we did was fun: the subject content, exercises and performances we put up. In addition, we had a fantastic cohesion — and a teacher I will never forget. The days always started well when Brit came into the classroom and, for example, said: “Veit døkk ke e found at the thrift store yesterday??”
The experience of going to the Top and on the acting line is a strong memory for me, and a main reason why I work on this to this day.
We applaud what Jarand has achieved after the summit, wish good luck with the performance”Shh, now it begins!“!
.avif)
.jpg)
