How can theatres move from simply providing access to creating real belonging?
Inclusion has become a familiar term – but often without changing how we think, create, or structure our work.
Hosted by Det Norske Teatret, 'From Access to Belonging – Inclusive Theatre Practice' invites ETC Members into a focused exchange on disability inclusion, accessibility, and representation in theatre.
The programme features expertise from Norwegian artists and cultural leaders including Kjersti Horn, Jan Grue, and Balansekunst, alongside Europe Beyond Access, Europe’s leading consortium supporting disabled artists in the performing arts.
Together, they bring artistic practice and lived experience into dialogue, challenging traditional ideas of who is seen, heard, and valued on stage and behind the scenes.
Join the on-site workshop at Det Norske Teatret in Oslo from 9–10 June 2026 and connect with peers committed to shaping more inclusive European theatres!
- ETC offers 10 travel grants of 500 EUR each, available on a first-come first-served basis. The workshop capacity is limited to 15 participants, so early application is encouraged.
- Open to ETC Member Theatres only.
- Deadline to apply: 02 June 2026
Programme
Day 1
Tuesday 9 June 2026
14:00 – 14:30
Welcome & Introduction
- Welcome by host theatre & ETC
- Participant introductions
- Workshop objectives & framing by Balansekunst Balansekunst is a national resource centre and membership organisation that brings together the cultural sector in a shared effort to promote equality and diversity.
14:30 – 15:45
Keynote & Discussion: Who Gets to be Human on Stage?
With Kjersti Horn, Artistic Director of Det Norske Teatret, OsloIn this opening session, director Kjersti Horn explores how theatre constructs the human on stage. Through her artistic practice, she challenges who is seen as complex, and who is reduced to representation. The session moves beyond inclusion as a concept, into questions of gaze, power, and presence. Who gets to be human on stage – and on whose terms? She will also reflect on her ambitions for Det Norske Teatret.
- Input & Discussion
(Exploring how inclusion is approached across different artistic, institutional, and national contexts)
15:45 – 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 – 18:00
Workshop by Balansekunst: Who Gets to belong?
With input by Jan Grue, Writer and ResearcherIn this session, writer and researcher Jan Grue reflects on accessibility, embodiment, and the experience of moving through different cultural and artistic environments. Drawing on recent work and observations from the US, he explores how inclusion is shaped not only by structures, but by lived experience. What makes a space feel open – and what makes it feel closed? And what can theatre learn from this?
16:45 – 18:00
Joint Reflection & Discussion facilitated by Balansekunst
Evening
Heddadagene – Norwegian Annual Theatre Festival
Theatre Bar at the National Theatre
Day 2
Wednesday 10 June 2026
09:00 – 09:15
Reflection & Exchange on Day 1
Transfer to participants’ contexts
09:15-10:15
Lightning Presentations – Best Practices from Norway
Short presentations highlighting inclusive artistic practices, accessibility initiatives, and institutional approaches from the Norwegian performing arts field. A chance to gain insight into local experiences, methods, and ongoing challenges.
10:00 – 10:30
Coffee Break
10:30 – 12:00
Peer-Exchange: Best Practice & Challenges in
European TheatresInteractive exchange between ETC Member Theatres & Guest organisations on disability inclusion and accessibility in artistic, organisational, and audience-related practice. Participants share concrete projects, experiences and main challenges from across Europe.
12:00 – 13:00
Lunch
13:00 – 14:30
Europe Beyond Access: Rethinking inclusion in Performing Arts
Lorena Martínez-Mier, Porject Manager of Europe Beyond AccessInput & interactive exchange, exploring how theatres can move beyond accessibility as compliance towards meaningful structural and artistic inclusion of disabled artists and professionals.
14:30 – 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 – 16:30
Facilitated Reflection
From Inspiration to Action
- What did we learn?
- What can be applied across ETC theatres?
- Outlook on ETC Accessibility & Inclusion programme
Evening
Departure / Performance / Dinner
