Groundbreaking theatre in Swedish Sign Language

Riksteatern Crea is a pioneer in the production of groundbreaking dramatic art in Swedish Sign Language. Ever since the start in 1970, we have offered a unique selection of dramatic arts, seminars and meetings. Riksteatern Crea has been part of Riksteatern since 1977. Riksteatern Crea is constantly striving to challenge ingrained notions within theatre and other dramatic arts. We want to push the boundaries and at the same time provide a fixed point for the sign-language audience. Watching a Riksteatern Crea performance should be like coming home for our audience.

Riksteatern Crea’s vision is to create the very best dramatic art in Swedish Sign Language, with and by artists and cultural performers who are deaf and members of the sign-language community. We also work constantly to improve our collaboration with international interest organisations and theatres. Today’s selection of dramatic arts in sign language is devastatingly thin. For that reason, Riksteatern Crea is playing an invaluable role. We will keep using the dramatic arts to reflect, influence, impact and change. Today we shape the dramatic arts of tomorrow.

Dramatic Art That Leaves a Mark

Riksteatern Crea pushes the boundaries and challenges the norms of what dramatic art is supposed to be, who it is told to and by whom. Riksteatern Crea believes in joy and sorrow, in political stories as well as the great love stories. Above all, we believe in telling stories from the heart. Our repertoire consists of newly written material as well as classical pieces that we hope will surprise and touch the audience.

Producing and spreading touring dramatic arts performances in sign language is the most important task of Riksteatern Crea. Riksteatern Crea plays to everyone everywhere, and primarily to deaf children and young people. We not only strive to create art on stage, but also to break the language barriers through different means of communication.

In our performances, you will see Swedish Sign Language and art forms like sign mime, visual vernacular and other forms of interpretation that are unique to sign language theatre. For audience members who do not know sign language, we make the dramatic art accessible by subtitling performances, providing voice interpretation or other innovative solutions. Our performances are mainly given in sign language by and with deaf artists workers.

Dramatic Art That Creates Change

Riksteatern Crea believes in culture’s power to influence and change. With our dramatic art, we want to create meeting places and a space for reflection and inspiration. We work actively to strengthen artistic and cultural rights for everyone. Within our mission to produce and develop dramatic arts in sign language, we view arts education as an important part.

Through seminars and workshops we want to give artists and audience members the tools and courage to break patterns. By using creative technology, we push the boundaries of what dramatic art means to us. Through film, animation and other digital solutions on stage we create a heightened sense of presence and possibilities for a new type of dramatic art.

Our activities are unique in the world, as we produce dramatic art in sign language both nationally and internationally. We are constantly working to promote international collaboration and host guest performances from other countries. Our audience and our partners inspire us to develop new art forms and to improve the dramatic arts. The one thing we all have in common is the love of the dramatic arts.