In connection with the International Ibsen Conference and The International Master Class on Directing, the Norwegian dancing ensemble "herStay" will perform in Shanghai on June 17th and 18th.
Founded in 1999 by Monica Emilie Herstad, the dance ensemble herStay has produced a number of highly acclaimed acts. Their performances are based on interpretive classic and modern dance, but also emphasise highly aesthetic audiovisual elements.
Their present performance “Past is Simulation – the Ladies of the Sea vs Nora, and other stories of the society” will be staged at Fudan University in Shanghai on June 18th in connection with the XII International Ibsen Conference (June 14th-20th).
In addition, Herstad will present a paper at the Ibsen conference which coincides with The International Master Class on Directing. Under the topic “Ibsen in Performance”, this presentation includes selected scenes from her upcoming work TWIRL, inspired by Ibsen’s play “Rorsmersholm”.
Scholars and laymen alike argue that the reason for Ibsen's continued international popularity is the nature of questions raised in his litterature. These are existential questions that transcend both national and political borders and cultural and religious differences, hence they are are still highly valid today.
From 2005 - 2008, Herstad fulfilled independent guest research with her project “Past is simulation”, connected to the Centre for Ibsen Studies at University of Oslo. Her contribution and goal is to increase the audience’s understanding of the layers of melancholy in Ibsens litterature.
In 2008 Herstad received the International Ibsen Award Stipend for her work.
Click here to read an interview with Monica Herstad (pdf)