lotsa tage aT NMRA INO Col US Mole ee eek cea before choreographer Alexander Ekman and composer Mikael Karlsson Bote a ea new ec a en ee ea eee a a een reece squarely at the center of Ekman and Karlsson’s wild fantasy in which the traditions of the Scandinavian Midsummer holiday get tumed on their head. reer ereVON HAUSSI NOLFF SHARED HER THOUGHTS ON WORKING WITH EKMAN, HER ROLE IN MIDSUMMER, AND THE BELOVED SWEDISH CUSTOMS THAT EKMAN FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. How did you react when Alex and Mikael epproached you about collaborating for Mideummer? elt happy and honored, but also very nervous. Ihad never workad with such big set-up and usually | work alone, Had you worked with dancers before? Ihave never worked with dancars before Usually when I do music, have my awn band andi the center of attention, Thi mel hadlto take a step back and lat the: lead. twas inspiring to see thom translate the rmusicinto movement. | was jst tiny patcle in this big, amazing, colorul universe. How would you describe your role in the performance? I'm the storyteller and the contemelator. mn {nlinsider and an outsider Im 2 foreigner and friend. 'm a mythologies creature taling the story of tradition, celebration, and lows How would you describe the musie? Itisa combination of diferent things: classical, contemporary, experimental music, op, and tactional Snedish folk music By your own account, Midsummer is your first large stage production. Any surprises that you weren't expecting? I didn't realize what a big team takes to make such an ambitious show come to life. There are dancers but sleo musicion, technicions, producers, production assistants Irwas amazing to see these creative people synchronize with 8ech other ane make magic happen. fone person falled, somehow the problem was fixed It takes patience and precision. Iwas amazed by everyone round me, wnat de you enjoy most about this production? To soe the dancers and ta interact with them. They give me sa much eneray and adeensline Do you have a fond Midsummer memory fom childhood? We had this bezutiful summer house in the Swedish countryside. My favorte thing was to fun on the field in Font of the house and pick seven diferent flavere to put them under ‘my pillows Traction says thet you put these flowers under your pillow before you go to ‘bed, you would dream of your future ove What makes Midsummer unique to other ‘Swedish holidays? i feels more connected to Norse mythology and Aesicfaith with its word traditions and belies connected to nsture and nature beings. I fl of follore and superstition, It one ofthe most interesting, weird, and ‘magica celebrations in Sweden,