For the latest episode of the Performing Arts Centre Iceland podcast, Salka Guðmundsdóttir sat down with Þorleifur Örn Arnarsson, one of the pre-eminent theatre directors of his generation and one of the first names that come to mind when you think about Icelandic performing artists working internationally. Þorleifur who was born in Reykjavík initially studied acting at the Iceland University of the Arts, before he turned to directing and studied at The Ernst Busch Academy of the Dramatic Arts in Berlin. This proved to be the start of a career that has interwoven practice in Iceland with practice on the continent, in particular in Germany. Þorleifur has a history of stretching forms and genres. He has worked with classical texts, new writing, opera, research-based material – created new work from the sagas, from contemporary novels and from mere concepts.

For this episode of the Performing Arts Centre Iceland podcast, host Salka Guðmundsdóttir was joined by an artist who has been taking her work across various borders in recent months. Choreographer and dancer Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir is one of Iceland’s leading dance professionals. Following a successful 16 year career with the Iceland Dance Company, she has now embarked on the next stage of her career.

For the latest episode of the Performing Arts Centre Iceland podcast, host Salka Guðmundsdóttir was joined by circus artists Eyrún Ævarsdóttir and Jóakim Meyvant Kvaran who are founding members of the contemporary circus organization Hringleikur. As part of a dedicated group of circus professionals building a platform for this form in Iceland, Eyrún and Jóakim had plenty of insights to share.