[6] She had her breakthrough as "Fanchon" in Birch-Pfeiffer's play En liden Hex, first in Bergen,[6] and later at Christiania Theatre in 1888.

She joined theatre director Bjørn Bjørnson at the Nationaltheatret from its opening in 1899, and played here most of her career.

[2] At Nationaltheatret she played roles such as "Klara Sang" in Over Ævne I (1899), "Maja" in When We Dead Awaken and "Gerd" in Brand.

[2] Among her productions were Euripides' classical tragedy Medea (1918), Nordahl Grieg's Barabbas (1927), and Schiller's Mary Stuart (1929).

[2] Johanne Dybwad was awarded the King's Medal of Merit (Kongens fortjenstmedalje) in gold.

[2] At her 60 years' anniversary as actress, 7 November 1947, she played "Mor Aase" in Ibsen's Peer Gynt, and she was honoured with the Grand Cross of St.