Birgitta Englin (eng)
Birgitta Englin took up office as Executive director of Riksteatern, the Swedish National Touring Theatre, in March 2005. Riksteatern has been nurturing Sweden´s top talent in professional theatre and dance since 1933. It is a non-governmental organisation comprising non-profit theatre associations from all over Sweden.
”Riksteatern is a nationwide operation; the enthusiasts in our theatre associations make an enormous contribution to the arts in many places throughout the country”, says Birgitta Englin.
Birgitta Englin has previously been an actor and producer at Stockholm Dramaten, Upsala Municipal Theatre, Riksteatern and several county theatres. She has taken the initiative to several pioneering projects where the theatre meets the community in a new way.
”The theatre has an important role to play in our globalized world of ever-changing ethnic, religious and national identity,” says Birgitta Englin.
Birgitta Englin was born in 1958. She studied at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg 1979-82 followed by stints as an actor at several theatres. Birgitta Englin has played several title roles, including Hebriana (L Norén) and Miss Julie (A Strindberg).
Between 1996 and 2004, Birgitta Englin produced plays at Upsala Municipal Theatre, The Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm Municipal Theatre and Riksteatern.
At Upsala Municipal Theatre Birgitta Englin produced several plays, including Fair Game, Belgrade Triology and Elektra. Her aim was to make dramatic art available to the diverse residents of Uppsala municipality. The work on repertoire choice, open work processes and various forms of marketing and staff recruitment was very successful.
In 2001, Birgitta Englin was awarded the Grand Swedish Theatre Critics Award, the Svenska Dagbladet Thalia Award, the Expressen theatre Award and Swedish Radio P4’s Arts Award.
In 2002 Birgitta Englin, as producer at Riksteatern, took the initiative to a Nordic/Baltic co-production including the play ”The Long long journey - The Road show”.
In 2002, Birgitta Englin produced Medea at Stockholm Municipal Theatre.
Between 2002 and 2004 she produced several plays at The Royal Dramatic Theatre including Waiting for Godot.
In 2004 she produced The Wedding at the Danish Betty Nansen Theatre.
In 2004, Birgitta Englin was elected Chairman of the Performing Arts Equality Steering Committee in Sweden.
In 2005 Birgitta Englin recieved the Elin Wägner Society’s Alarm Clock of the Year award.
Birgitta Englin has been a radio talker and has taught at the National Academy of Mime and Acting in Stockholm.
Birgitta Englin is on the board of the University College of Dance and Dansens Hus in Stockholm.
She is also on the board of the Swedish Performing Arts branch organisation and the Arts and Business Sweden network.
In June 2007, the Swedish government made Birgitta Englin a member of its arts policy committee.