MANIFESTO
The Professional Amateurs is a money-free theatre
We see artistic creation as research
We see our work as a passion, not just a profession
We see our performances as a dialogue with the audience, not a consumer product
We value creativity over money
We work within a cosmic flow, guided by lightness and play
IDEOLOGY
The Professional Amateurs is a collective of professional performing artists who are passionate about the freedom of independent theatre-making. The group views its performances as a platform for exploring pressing questions, while always leaving room for humor and playfulness.The aim is to create forward-thinking and thought-provoking performance works that function as a dialogue with audiences, remaining independent of market forces. The theatre does not seek a commercial relationship with its audience and, therefore, offers performances free of charge, inviting spectators into a conversation without financial transaction.The Professional Amateurs believe that by making performances freely accessible, a new audience can emerge—one that engages with an alternative form of theatre, distinct from large institutional venues that are bound by financial and operational constraints.
METHODOLOGY
The performance method of the Professional Amateurs draws inspiration from visual art, where the work follows its own internal logic, independent of marketability or conventional audience expectations. This is performance art that speaks to its audience without being complicit or seeking to please.
The performances are created using simple methods and rooted in a sustainable mindset. The production process is minimalistic, with materials being reused, donated, or borrowed, as the theatre aims to do as much as possible with the least possible resources.
At the core of the theatre’s philosophy is the belief that creativity and ingenuity are the world’s greatest assets. Therefore, it prioritizes compensating its artists for their ideas and artistic vision rather than material production costs. In this sense, The Professional Amateurs could be described as a “poor theatre” in a material sense, yet a “rich theatre” in an artistic one.
WORKS
PARTICIPANTS
Artistic Leader
Steinunn Hildigunnur Knúts-Önnudóttir
Performers:
- Aðalbjörg Árnadóttir
- Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir
- Árni Pétur Guðjónsson
- Kristjana Skúladóttir
- Hannes Óli Ágústsson
- Jórunn Sigurðardóttir
- Lára Sveinsdóttir
- Magnús Guðmundsson
- Orri Huginn Ágústsson
- Ólafur Steinn Ingunnarson
- Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir
- Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
Junior performers:
- Adam Freyr Aronsson
- Hera Magdalena Steinunnar Eiríksdóttir
- Katla Helga Thorlacius Jónsdóttir
- Sverrir Páll Einarsson
Other artistic contributors
- Gígja Hólmgeirsdóttir, sviðshöfundur
- Halldóra Malín Pétursdóttir, leikari
- Harpa Arnardóttir, sviðslistakona
- Hákon Már Oddson, kvikmyndagerðarmaður
- Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, tónskáld
- Hrafnhildur Hagalín, textahöfundur
- Ilmur Stefánsdóttir, leikmyndahöfundur
- Ingibjörg Ýr Skarphéðinsdóttir, tónskáld
- Kristín Valsdóttir, tónlistarkona
- Nanna Hlíf Ingvarsdóttir, tónlistarkona
- Margrét Pálmadóttir, tónlistarkona
- Marta Nordal, sviðslistakona
- Rúnar Guðbrandsson, sviðslistamaður
- Una Stígsdóttir, leikmyndahöfundur
Participating youngsters:
Áslaug Edda Kristjánsdóttir, Benedikt Jens Magnússon, Dagur Máni Sunnuson, Dúna Pálsdóttir, Erlen Isabella Einarsdóttir, Eva Steinunn Harðardóttir, Freyja Gyðudóttir Gunnarsdóttir, Hrafn Sverrisson, Hugrún Lóa Kvaran, Inga Sóley Kjartansdóttir, Jóhannes Lárus Helgason, Katrín Nótt Birkisdóttir, Maja Meixin Aceto, Ólafur Steinar Ragnarsson, Ólína Stefánsdóttir, Ómar Atli Viggósson, Rannveig Gréta Gautsdóttir, Salka Grímsdóttir, Sunna Líf Arnarsdóttir, Telma Sól Sulem