Many of the actors in Glada Hudikteatern can´t read or write. They are part of a unique ensemble consisting of mentally and physically disabled actors. For the premiere of their first performance in 1996 the organizers had to give away tickets because of prejudice. But the actors quickly found their way into people´s hearts and today they play their musical "Elvis" at sold out arenas all over Sweden. They have also performed at the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest and have starred in a tv documentary series and a feature film.
In june 2010 Glada Hudikteatern flew to New York to perform at the highly respected stage Brooklyn Academy of Music. The director and organizers also talked about the theatre group´s unique working methods with American colleagues and fans. For most of the actors it was their first trip abroad.
I have worked with the actors since 2007 and seen them experience great things. They constantly affect their audience, because they stand with two feet on the ground and are never afraid of making mistakes. And their joy for life is bigger than anything I´ve ever seen.
Here are a few moments we shared together in New York this june. A week of joy, love, nervousness and curiosity.
