Theatre partners: Theatre experiences that create community

How can theater become a social meeting place for those who have no one to go with? That is the starting point for Teatermakker, a project that aims to make theater more accessible to older people and create new communities through performing arts.

The project is a collaboration between Kloden theatre, Pensioners' Association Løren and surrounding area and Bjerke District. Volunteer pensioners will be recruited as "theatre partners" and accompany other seniors to performances. Afterwards, the audience is invited to "waffle talk", which is informal conversations with simple refreshments. The goal is to lower the threshold for visiting the theatre, prevent loneliness and create good meeting places.

First test of Theatre Partners – across generations
Under The Hedda Festival The project had its first test on June 26, 2026. Through performances, waffles and conversations, children and pensioners met for a shared performing arts experience that created engagement and new connections across generations.
Children and senior citizens saw the performance Haiens år from Brageteatret, and playwright Kristofer Blindheim Grønskag had created questions for conversation: What happened? What was the funniest thing? What is a good friend? And what happens after this?
The questions opened up reflections on friendship, jealousy, falling in love and how our choices affect others, and the conversations showed how a shared theater experience can be a starting point for getting to know people you might not otherwise have met.

Kloden The theatre considers the pilot of Teatermakker to be a success. The next step is to test the companion scheme in practice. In 2026, the project will include three theatre experiences.

Teatermakker is supported by the Pensioners' Association's activity funds.