After graduating in musical theatre: "Find your niche!"
Karin Mårtenson Ghods studied the bachelor’s programme in Musical Theatre at the Academy of Music and Drama. Today, she’s a regular at the Göteborg Opera, where she's currently appearing in the colourful production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Alumni portrait of Karin Mårtenson Ghods
Tell us about how your artistic journey began. Who or what inspired you to take up musical theatre?
My parents were active in the local New Year's musical that was performed every year in Mullsjö, where I grew up. So I was able to follow along and become part of that world as a young child. I found it exciting to be backstage in the temporary dressing rooms situated in some school canteen or woodworking workshop. I was quite shy as a child and remember thinking "oh I'm not sure about this" or "I can't act" but something had already sparked my interest. I grew a lot and dared to make my voice heard which was very exciting. After that I just continued. I went on to study music at upper secondary school in Jönköping and took dance classes at Medborgarskolan in the evenings. I did everything I could get my hands on.
What have you been doing since graduating?
I have freelanced all over Sweden and performed on many of the country’s performing arts stages. I started with a lot of ensemble roles and got my first contact with the professional world thanks to the Academy of Music and Drama. I got an internship at the Göteborg Opera, which was a fantastic opportunity - both to be part of the ensemble and to get an insight into all the departments of the theatre. After that, I moved around a lot and worked at, among others, Wermland Opera, Smålands Musik och Teater, Malmö Opera and Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm. After a few years, I started to get bigger roles and understudy work. That's what freelance life is like – you’re always on the move because of your work. Since 2020, I have been at the Göteborg Opera, and a year ago I got a permanent contract.
It's about staying motivated, staying inspired and finding new little angles and details in every performance.
What are some of the accomplishments you are most proud of in your career so far?
I am proud of being brave and daring to do things that I am not too comfortable with. It has allowed me to grow a lot. I usually tell my employers to send me on certain assignments where I can learn new things. I'm not afraid of new challenges, I enjoy being a bit uncomfortable.
What are the most challenging aspects of your current job?
The most challenging aspect is keeping a performance alive. As a musical theatre performer, you are often involved in productions that run for hundreds of performances. For example, the last time I was in a production of Les Misérables, I did about 150 shows. Here at the Göteborg Opera we usually do 80-90 shows, and a big challenge is to keep your role alive so that it doesn't become a routine. It's terrifying. I want the audience to feel like it is the first time we are performing, and I want the company to have the attitude that it is the first time every time. It's about staying motivated, staying inspired and finding new little angles and details in every performance. Another challenge is to stay healthy. We are incredibly sensitive as singers, and you can tell when something is wrong. There are a lot of witches' brews, and everyone is terrified of germs!
What has the Academy meant to you personally?
It has had an incredible impact on me, and I am still grateful for it. The Academy of Music and Drama did a great job of inviting active performing artists to be part of our education. They were introduced to us or held workshops - in other words, directors, singing teachers and so on - people who were out there working. It helped us keep in touch with the industry and was such a key for which I am incredibly grateful for. I have warm memories of my time on the programme, and I remember that we had a great sense of community - that we spent a lot of time together across borders with opera singers and actors.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone studying musical theatre and pursuing a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
Find your niche! There’s something about you that makes you unique. Believe in yourself - even if it's classical and sounds so clichéd - because it will work. Sure, it's hard and there's a lot of competition out there, but that's why it's so important. Don't give up and don't sit around waiting for jobs to come, create your own. Start a free theatre group, organise your own gigs or take classes when you don't have a job. Contact directors! It’s not dangerous to send emails, introduce yourself and show interest in being part of a show. It may be a boring tip but save money as well. When you start freelancing, there will be periods when you need savings in between different contracts.
Do you have any exciting upcoming jobs or projects that you are looking forward to this autumn?
Yes, we're performing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Göteborg Opera and I'm playing Mrs. Bucket, Charlie's mother. Ola Salo plays the main role of Willy Wonka, and we have four children, girls and boys, who play young Charlie. It's a wonderful family show that I’m looking forward to doing throughout the autumn and spring.
Interview by Vendela Holmberg.
