About Vestlandske Teatersenter
Vestlandske Teatersenter (VT), founded in 1967, is a resource center for theatre and drama.
VT aims to ensure that as many people as possible will play, learn about, watch and be inspired by theatre. Our main focus is on children, youth, amateurs and organizations.
VT represents theatre activities in many fields:
- Training and Competence
- Membership Services for amateur theatre groups and organizations
- Theatre School for Children and Adolescents
- Professional Theatre Productions
- The international theatre festival mini midi maxi for children and young people
- The expo-showcase scenic art expo norway
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Training and Competence
VT is a resource center for theatre and drama, focusing on children, adolescents, amateur groups and organizations. Our aim is to be a service agency for theater groups, pedagogues, professionals and other drama and theater enthusiasts. VT offers courses at all levels, and wants to encourage high quality activity of an extensive range. We can therefore offer professional assistance within:
- Competence building for adults working with children and young people
- Competence building for museum staff/pedagogues
- Expertise within drama and theatre pedagogics
Every year VT organizes a variety of courses directed at both amateurs and professionals on the western coast of Norway. In addition, we organize tailor-made courses where our instructors visit a theater group or organization and provide the course they require (eg: makeup, costumes, staging, lighting, choreography, production management, pyro effects, blowing flames, stage fight etc.).
VT also conveys instructors and other professionals to groups who want to conduct their own performances/courses.
Theatre School for Children and Adolescents
VT’s Theatre School is a service for children and adolescents, with 190 pupils each year. The school gives the participants theatrical knowledge, personal growth and social commitment through collaboration with others.
VT’s Theatre School provides teaching programs suited the pupils’ age and abilities. Syllabi for each level ensure progression and development.
The pupils are working towards performances at the end of each school year, and the process is an important part of the learning. We work with different theater forms and techniques, the pupils are challenged in their own text production, and receive training in stage expression and communication of text. Improvisation, collaboration and confidence are important elements in the creative environment at the VT’s Theatre School.
Professional Theatre Productions
For VT it is important to verify that we master what we teach others!
VT produces professional theatre performances every year, mainly in four categories:
- For the youngest children (0-3 years)
- For children (4-10 years)
- For adolescents/young people
- Family Performances
The performances are shown in our own theater, the venues in Bergen or in the urban space. The performances are also sent on tour, often in collaboration with schools, cultural offices or municipalities.
VT-Membership
VT is a service agency for groups and organizations involved in amateur theatre. VT has both individuals and groups/organizations as members. The majority of our members are located in Hordaland County, but we also have members from the counties of Rogaland and Sogn og Fjordane.
VT offers:
- assistance to establish a theater group/organization
- instructor assistance
- free use of our rehearsal facilities
- free use of our black box stage (seats 80 spectators)
- free use of costumes and technical equipment
- script archive
- discounts
VT members receive discount on courses and instruction, and can influence VT through voting at the AGM. Members receive regular information by e-mail about news concerning the theatre field.
In addition, VT-membership gives discount at Den Nationale Scene, Carte Blanche, BIT Teatergarasjen, Rogaland Teater, Sogn og Fjordane Teater and AVAB CAC Bergen AS.
Presentation of membership card provides 1-2 discounted tickets /15-20% discount from AVAB CAC.
The international theatre festival mini midi maxi
Vestlandske Teatersenter is proud to be the organizer of mini midi maxi – the only professional theatre festival for children and young people in Norway!
It is our aim that children and young people are offered an exclusive program that shows exciting, innovative and playful theatre of high quality both from Norway and the rest of the world. What we choose to present shall entertain, challenge, inspire, enrich and promote respect and understanding for the world around us.
mini midi maxi takes place on large and small venues throughout the city of Bergen, making the performances available for everyone; families, (nursery) schools, university colleges, and potential buyers.
mini midi maxi also offers workshops, professional meetings and social gatherings.
The expo-showcase scenic art expo norway
mini midi maxi is the first and only festival in Norway to offer both import and export of professional theatre for children and young people.
This year, as an extension of mini midi maxi, we’ll introduce scenic art expo norway for the first time, a showcase where we present professional Norwegian performances for children and young people to the rest of the world.
Two days prior to mini midi maxi will be reserved for invited buyers and festival hosts from all over the world to experience and purchase Norwegian theatre.