Theatre Studies student placement at BIT
Vilde Røgeberg Larsen shares her experience of researching Prøverommet at BIT this semester.
21.05.2025
Vilde Røgeberg Larsen shares her experience of researching Prøverommet at BIT this semester.
21.05.2025
My name is Vilde, I’m 22 years old, and I study Theatre Studies at the University of Bergen (UiB). This spring, I’ve had a student placement here at BIT, which I based my 2nd year bachelor’s thesis on. My project focuses on Prøverommet, as I’m particularly interested in the unfinished aspects of the art presented there. What happens when art in progress meets an audience, and what makes it unique?
I’m interested in theatre, art, and everything that comes with it. In recent years, I’ve been active in the Student Theatre Immaturus, involved in leadership roles, directing, playwriting and acting. I also got the opportunity to present something at Prøverommet in the fall of 2024, which was my introduction to Prøverommet and BIT. That experience sparked my interest in doing my placement here.
Throughout the student placement, I’ve written a small diary, and below are some excerpts from that diary.
7.2.25 The Beginning
Ready, set, go, and we’re off. Internship nerves. Met producers, curators, and the people in charge. The important folks. Greet, smile, tell, learn. Talk about Sentralbadet, the art, and everything that comes with it. Try to learn what I need to learn.
7.2.25 FOH (front of house) at Flat Sun (by Verdensteatret)
One moment you’re learning about Verdensteatret in a lecture, the next you’re in a taxi with Verdensteatret! Hanging up posters, being a parking attendant with a slightly too small reflective vest, and talking with Verdensteatret after their performance. Starstruck!!
10.2.25 The Office
Introduced to the office. I get my own desk, hope it suits me. Cardboard boxes full of programs in the hallways, and incredibly good coffee. So many things to think about. What should I write my thesis on?
13.2.25 The Archive
Digging through posters, documents, and moments. Prøverommet has existed forever. At least longer than me. Wild.
17.2.25 Prøverommet at Nordnes sjøbad
Following Laurie (Curating Producer of Prøverommet). Seeing what she does. Chlorine, bubbles, dirty laundry sculpture, underwater sounds, poetry in the sauna, a map of Spitsbergen, and projections onto water. I think I want to write about the unfinished. All the art that’s being worked on. Art that’s shown even though it’s still in progress. What an opportunity that is. To present your work without the pressure of it having to be finished. That must count for something.
21.2.25 No Dreams, No Gold (by Ingrid Berger Myhre & Lasse Passage)
A dream to be a volunteer here.
6.3.25 Produksjonsplan
Should it start at six? The film ends at quarter past? How long a break does the audience need? Over half an hour of performance, is that too much? Do they need a sound check? Work in progress needs frameworks. Production plan completed.
17.3.25 Prøverommet at Bergen Public Library
Driving 280 glasses through the cobblestone city. Trying not to break them. It’s fragile, this organising. Water tasting, showing films, speak to many people, smiling, answering questions. Cleaning up. Driving 280 glasses back through the cobblestone city.
24.3.25 Process
Planning, brainstorming and discussing. I’ve decided. I must write about process. What can it give? And what will it take? What does it need? That’s what I must find out.
3.4.25 Posters and reports
Swimming in archive documents, diving in old reports and posters. Trying to reflect and contextualise. Why the need for a testing space? The process and the moment. Prøverommet as a meeting point, as a community. Not only for the artists but the audience too. And for the staff. And me?
28.4.25 Prøverommet at Østre
Satirical goat choir and inclusive line dance. I’m not a dancer, but the vibe was the best I’ve seen in a while. I dared to take a bit more responsibility today. Organising is not easy. All credit to the producers. I think Prøverommet at Østre will be important for my thesis. A lot of good material here.
30.4.25 Writing
Write, write, write. Read, read, read. Trying to create a thesis based on everything I’ve learned. I’ve concluded that the cultural-political aspect is also important. All kinds of theatre and art should have space in the public sphere, even the kind you don’t agree with. Who gets to decide what art has social value?
11.5.25 Prøverommet at Galleri Kronborg
Prøverommet on a mountain. Sunny but windy. Five days until I submit my bachelor thesis. I have to squeeze in something about Galleri Kronborg. Too great a location to leave out of my thesis.
16.5.25 Thesis Submitted
I’m done. Done with the placement and done with my thesis. Time went by fast. I think this will be an important experience to take with me, because these testing spaces are rare. My perspective has been broadened. It’s been valuable to literally get behind the scenes, and finally be done with my bachelor project!
What is Prøverommet?
Prøverommet has been running at BIT Teatergarasjen for over 25 years, popping up at various venues throughout the seasons since 2008. It’s a space to try out new artistic material in front of an audience using any medium: dance, theatre, poetry, visual art, music… almost 2500 projects have been presented so far!
Stay tuned by signing up to the mailing list, following on Instagram or checking the webpage proverommet.no.
