About
Johanne Fridahl Willman (1996, she/her) is a Danish theatre maker currently studying Theatre Directing at the Academy of Theatre and Dance in Amsterdam (Amsterdam University of the Arts). She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Copenhagen in Theatre and Performance Studies and participated in the talent course for playwrights, "Dramatiker Væksthus," a program supported by the Danish Arts Foundation. Additionally, she is a co-founder of Teater I DER, a theatre group based in Copenhagen-Aarhus.
Languages: Danish, English, Nederlands
Member of Danish stagedirectors (Foreningen danske sceneinstruktører)
MY PRACTICE
In my directing practice, I often work interdisciplinary. I write new texts or reimagine classic works, I compose music and soundscapes, and incorporate physical movement into the staging.
Metaphors, contrasts, humour and elements of magical realism are central to my creative practice. Yet, as a storyteller—and as a Dane—I deeply value the importance of plot and narrative. In my work, I aim to merge a profound psychological and relatable understanding of the characters with the overarching conceptual ideas chosen for the staging.
May it be staging Antigone and Kreon in the same "deadly hug" as Polynices and Eteocles, or make a story about a woman finding her true self by turning into a horse, or a muddy-western of a small little wet land's last hours..
A recurring theme in my work is the contradicting, but yet so close relationship between love and violence.
My theatre often draws on the spectacular and grotesque, employing rich symbolism, maximalist imagery, and a balance of storytelling with genre fiction. Here I'm always striving to balance the fine art of tragedy and humour.
As a director I thrive in a playfull and creative environment.
CV
EDUCATION
Theater directing: AHK/ ATD Amsterdam scenekunstskole,
Academy of Theater and Dance (2023-2027)
Playwright: Dramatiker væksthus, dramatiker talentprogram
supported by the danish arts foundation (2021-2023)
Bachelor Teater- og Performance Studies København Universitet (2018-2022)
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
2025, Theater director, Dutch national Opera and Ballet in cooperation with ATD/AHK for the Opera Forward Festival, “Once lived in”
2025: Theater director/participant, research + work in progress, Basement CPH, Teater I DER
2023-25, Theater director, Academy of Theater and Dance, ATD/AHK: (more pieces), Theater: "YERMA", Animation film: "LOVE ME LOVE ME KILL ME", Theater: “Flowers are Blooming in Antarctica”, Radioplay: “A midsummer nights dream’fo sure”, Theater: “Antigone”, Work in progress: “What use are Yerma” (cooperation with Theater Frascati), Theater: “Me and Mine Horsie”
2023, Theater director and Playwright: Nørrebro Musical Teater,(children theater) “KAREN INGELISE GRÜSEGOD NIELSEN'S STORE HOP”
2023, Prompter, The Danish Royal Theatre: “AMADEUS”
2021-23, Playwright, Dramatiker Væksthus, “RAU” (Staged Reading on Teater ZeBu + Horsens Teaterfestival)
2023, Co-director, Playwright, Voiceacting: Radioplay “HVEM ER DU NÅR VERDEN GÅR UNDER?”, Teater I DER on Institut for X
2022-25, Educator, Peder Syv Aftenskole: “Skriv til scenen”, "writing for the stage"
2022, Prompter, The Danish Royal Theatre: “Fodbold Fodbold Fodbold”
2020-21, panel debate, VILDSKUD festival, “Fremtidens teater debat” + “online teater”
2021, In-ear Prompter, Teater 2, Waage Sandø + Nørregade Teater, “Gengangere”
2020 + Tourné 2021, Theatre Director + Playwright: “HANG IN THERE”, (Vildskud Festival + Refshaleøen, Teaterskolen Move’n act, Frontløberne Aarhus)
2020 + 21, Director's assistent, The Danish Royal Theatre, “Mutter Courage”
2019, Director's assistent, Tue Biering + Mungo Park, St. tv., “Pigen med bomberne”
OTHER EXPERIENCE:
Co-Creator and boardmember at Teaterforeningen I DER
(Music festival)Musik i Lejet: Arts- and atmosphere coordinator: Projektledelse, curation, coordination, scenography (2018-2020)
Arts: Murals and paintings at Musik I lejet(2014-2018) and Copenhell (2019)
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