– I would advise you to dare to apply for jobs even outside of Sweden's borders. Personally, I have only benefited from looking around Europe, Hampus Larsson says to those considering entering the dance industry.
When Hampus was 18 years old, he decided to start dancing and hasn't stopped since. However, it wasn't obvious to him that dancing would be his profession; it gradually became clear during his first year of dance studies at Karlstad University.
– The year after Karlstad, I was admitted to BA, and it became clear to me that dance was what I wanted to pursue, says Hampus.
What have you done since graduating from the Professional Dancer Education at BA in 2017?
– Right after the summer of 2017, I started working at the theater in Heidelberg, under the direction of Nanine Linning. After a year there, I moved to Osnabrück and started at the theater there, with Mauro De Candia as the main choreographer.
–Today, I am part of Theater Bielefeld's dance company under the direction of Felix Landerer. I am now a few months into my 5th year here.
– Right now, we are in the process of creating our second production of the season. It is a collaboration with a dance company in Bern that premieres in mid-January.
What have you taken with you from the education at BA?
– Versatility in movement and good strategies for quickly absorbing material, as well as being flexible in interpretation and expression.
What job opportunities are there for a trained dancer today?
– I would say that there is quite a lot you can do if you look around a bit. For most of my career, I have had full-time employment at theaters around Germany, so that is one path you can take.
– You can also seek support to create your own performances, which may require a bit more work but is possible. Musical productions, live performances, and things like that are also possible. Most things, of course, require you to attend auditions, but that is part of the job.
What is the most enjoyable part of working in this industry?
– The most enjoyable thing for me about the dancer profession is the people you meet. I now have friends and acquaintances all over Europe and across multiple continents.
– The exchange between different cultures and life paths has enriched my life, and it is something I probably would never have experienced if it weren't for dance.