Drama Boreale - Åbo Akademi

5. TIE - In Winds and Calm – an attempt at reframing
‘framing’
Kari Mjaaland Heggstad
Abstract
The meteorological influence on people from the Nordic countries is strong. We live with
changing weather and with changing seasons. It affects us. The headline also provides
images of TIE. The winds – or even storms would be Boreale TIE in struggle for
existence and acceptance. Or picture the Nordic TIE worker in a wild Nordic landscape
– with weather changing faster than she can open her rucksack to pull out her extra
equipment. She is in the storm before she knows it - a strong sensation; disturbing and
wonderful at the same time (like a good TIE programme). But after winds there is calm –
a more peaceful and reflective situation, a contrast – and a necessity for survival.
However, if the calm becomes constant – both the TIE-worker and her TIE will “die”.
The article is divided into four sections: 1. Some cairns: I will start by sharing some of
my TIE experiences and important influences in the field. 2. Map and terrain: The
second section is centred around language and concepts with a focus on ‘framing’. 3.
The Eye of the Storm: This is the title of the TIE programme which is the empiric
material of my TIE research project. I describe the TIE programme and exemplify the
analysis in order to reframe ‘framing’. 4. Moving to the Boreale topology: By the end
there is a summing up of TIE in the Nordic landscape and ideas for possible cooperation
for Boreale TIE.
1. Some cairns
In my preparations I have tried to recollect my own experiences in TIE. The very first
encounter was when I was a drama student at Bergen School of Education (now Bergen
University College) 1973-1974. On our ten days excursion to Britain, we also visited
Cockpit Theatre in London and observed what I now would identify as a TIE
programme. I don’t recall the great enthusiasm, perhaps it was a poor programme? We,
the Norwegian drama students, knew nothing about TIE at that time. This was before the
publication of the very first book on TIE (O’Toole 1976).
My next TIE experience was in Bergen in 1986. It was my last year as teacher for
school-children. Tippetueteatret visited my class of 12-13 year olds. The company
spent a full day – five hours - in our classroom doing a TIE programme. The name of
the programme was Dommernes dag (The Judges’ Day) and this was as far as I know the
very first professional TIE production in Norway (Tippetueteatret 1987: 11-13). Late
Torunn Kjølner (1953-2008) was contacted by the company – and together they
devised a TIE programme, which Kjølner directed. This company used to produce
children’s theatre – so TIE was a new challenge for the three actors, who now also
needed educational competence. The TIE programme dealt with the life of an American
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