Shooting stars for kindergartens

May 16, 2024

- In a way, I hope Shooting Stars can help to challenge conventions about how adults move through the world in a fun and indirect way.

Anders Engebretsen has created the dance performance Stjerneskudd, which we send out on tour to kindergartens. We talked to him about the background to the performance, what it's like to create performing arts for kindergarten children and what he hopes the audience will leave with after seeing the show.

Why did you want to create this show?

- I was curious about how I could use the joy of dance as a starting point for the performance work, and how I could relate this to meetings with the audience. I wanted to arouse enthusiasm and commitment, and wanted to create something that wasn't so self-important. In many ways, Stjerneskudd is a big crowd-pleaser, and a charm-heavy attempt to give myself over to the moment.

What do you like about creating performing arts for children?

- The responses from children are so honest and enjoyable! They leave no stone unturned, and it's clear whether things catch their fancy or not. I find that children have an openness that I can relate to as a dancer, and I enjoy exploring what and how it challenges and develops my performance skills.

What do you hope the children leave with after seeing the show?

- I hope it can arouse curiosity and joy! In the show, I've tried to explore awkward and silly steps, and different ways of taking ownership of it, moving beyond typical expectations of being clever and doing tricks. 

It would be great if the performance could remind young and old alike of all the clever ways you can move your body, and that all the weird and wonderful movements can be dance.

Anders Engebretsen

- I think there's something nice about being a grown man doing silly things in a spectacular costume, and in a way I hope it can also help challenge conventions about how adults move through the world in a fun and more indirect way.

Stjerneskudd will be touring kindergartens from June 10 - 14.

Photo: Lise Skjæraasen (top), Hanne Nygaard (portrait)