Halla Ólafsdóttir and Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir have been friends for as long as they can remember, and have been working together under the name Samsuðan & co since 2005. In their search for new ways of creating dance, the artistic direction of Samsuðan & co has developed and changed over time, with each project inviting in different artists. They emphasize creating conditions where artists can share their ideas and working methods, and together explore previously uncharted territory.

Together, they have created the works Kólnandi Kaffi, Hundaheppni, Grease the Deleted Scenes, and What a Feeling. Each of them continues to work in the field of dance on opposite sides of the Atlantic: Halla is based in Stockholm and works as a choreographer and dancer throughout Europe to great acclaim—she received, for instance, the Prix Jardin d’Europe at the Impulstanz Festival in 2013. Lovísa is a Gríma Award winner who has performed in most of the Iceland Dance Company’s productions since 2005, while also working independently as both a choreographer and dancer.

Aðalheiður Halldórsdóttir, a dancer with the Iceland Dance Company, received the Gríma Award in 2016 as Dancer of the Year for her performance in What a Feeling.