CV
Øystein Johansen is a Norwegian theatre director, dramaturg and pedagogue working at the intersection of physical theatre, text-based performance and artistic research.
Trained at the Mime Department of the Amsterdam University of the Arts, his practice explores how movement, spatial composition and performer presence can generate dramaturgy before psychological interpretation or narrative structure. His work often investigates themes such as spectatorship, isolation and the unstable boundary between beauty and violence.
Johansen develops his projects through Bunnyhead Productions, where he has served as artistic director since 2013. His work has been presented in Norway and internationally across both independent and institutional contexts.
Selected Directing
25. juni — Director, Friscena, Gjøvik (2025)
Cute Aggression — Director, Friscena, Gjøvik (2022)
Skadeskutt — Director, Teatret Vårt, Molde (2018)
Albert Herring (B. Britten) — Director, Opera Academy, Oslo (2018)
Eit Vintereventyr — Director, Otta Kulturhus (2020)
The Dahmer Syndrome — Director, Black Box Teater, Oslo (2014)
A Thing of Beauty — Director, Black Box Teater, Oslo (2013)
Dramaturgy
Shergar by Simon Kavanagh — Workshop leader / Dramaturg, Dramatikkens Hus (2023)
Dusjene (documentary film) — Dramaturg, StrayDogs Production (2020)
Artistic Research
Dialectical Image and Devising — PreForm, Fjaler (2024–2025)
Research project inspired by Walter Benjamin’s concept of the dialectical image, exploring devising as a democratic and personal process of collective creation.
Cute Aggression — School van Gaasbeek (2022)
Research exploring masculinity, aggression and violence without clear external motivation.
The Passive Body — Workspace Brussels (2013)
Research into manipulation and dynamics within a passive body, developed in relation to the performance The Dahmer Syndrome.
Teaching & Academic Practice
Lecturer in Physical Theatre (guest position), Nord University (2025–2026)
Lecturer, Forstudium Teater, Oslo Municipality (2025–2026)
Lecturer, NSKI – Norwegian Acting Institute (2014–2022)
Guest Lecturer, Opera Academy, Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHIO) (2016–2018)
Advisor, Mime Department, Amsterdam University of the Arts (2014–2015)
Awards & Recognition
Amsterdam Fringe Silver Award — The Dahmer Syndrome
Top Naeff Award — for outstanding artistic achievement within Dutch theatre education
Oslo-prisen
Statens kunstnerstipend
Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship
Education
Amsterdam University of the Arts — Mime Department (Theatre), 2006–2010
School of Contemporary Dance, Oslo — Professional Dance Training, 2003–2004
Bårdar Academy — Musical Theatre, 2002–2003