SHELMITH ØSETH
Interdisciplinary Dance and Theater Artist

about
 

Shelmith Øseth is a Kenyan-Norwegian freelance dancer and movement artist based in Bergen and Oslo, Norway. Her artistic journey gained national attention in 2017 when she advanced to the semifinals on Norway’s Got Talent. She refined her craft at Langhaugen Upper Secondary School in Bergen and furthered her studies at the School of Contemporary Dance in Härnösand, Sweden.

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Shelmith’s work bridges contemporary dance with traditional African dance forms such as indlamu and pantsula from South Africa, and isukuti from Kenya’s Luhya tribe. Through her performances, she explores themes of identity, migration, and cultural intersectionality — drawing from her personal experience navigating multiple cultures.

Throughout her career, Shelmith has collaborated with renowned institutions including The Norwegian Theatre in Oslo, Den Nationale Scene in Bergen, Nordic Black Theatre, Bergen Kunsthall, and The Nordic Beasts in Denmark. Internationally, she has performed at venues such as Theater ZeBU in Denmark and Wiels in Brussels.

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Her solo piece Wakati—Swahili for “time”—investigates cultural identity and the immigrant experience in Norway. Co-produced by Carte Blanche, BIT Teatergarasjen, Fargespill, Bergen Dansesenter, and Nordic Black Theatre, the performance combines evocative dance with live music by Stephan Meidell. Wakati will tour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (July 31 – August 4, 2025) and South Korea’s Jeju Dance Festival in 2026.

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Shelmith is currently developing a new duet, Horses in Flames.

Beyond performance, she is passionate about community engagement, leading workshops and movement-based education to inspire youth and foster connection through dance.