On 16 February theatre maker Dries Verhoeven will be giving a masterclass titled ‘Theatre, politics and resistance’, organised within the ‘Why Theatre?’ series of the Department of Media and Culture Studies. Verhoeven has been able to develop his successful work precisely due to the specific characteristics and conditions of the Dutch art field. What is the key to his success, in a time when many artists are struggling for survival?
Due to contemporary cultural politics, drastic budget cuts in the arts, and the conservative mental climate in The Netherlands, the Dutch theatre and performance scene faces important changes in the years to come. Theatre companies will disappear, production houses are being closed, and the emphasis on large audiences and commercial success required to receive funding will have devastating effects on a field which has been known for years for its many small-scale enterprises, highly regarded by the international art scene because of its extremely rich, varied, and experimental nature.
Where are we now?
In this masterclass we will investigate the successful work of Dries Verhoeven in close relation to the wider art scene and cultural climate in The Netherlands. The first part of the session takes the question of “where are we now?” into consideration, by looking into the (recent) past. Verhoeven will reflect on and show parts of his work in relation to his own artistic development. Next, this development will be discussed in connection to the crucial role of production houses in his career. As a way of articulating this role further, the Dutch art scene is compared to working conditions in Germany and the UK.
What will we do?
The second part looks into the future: “what will we do?” Verhoeven will approach the participants of this masterclass as (future) dramaturges, and engage them in a dialogue on how to position ourselves in the current art scene. Are we political enough? Should we be? What kind of work could emerge out of a critical attitude? Would that mean one actively engages in societal and/or political debates, or is it preferred to do precisely the opposite? These and other questions addressing the art field in general will again be connected to Verhoeven’s personal practice, by zooming in on his current activity of writing a funding application for the seasons to come. This masterclass, in short, is an exercise in intense-contemporary dramaturgy, which in the current time equals the necessity of taking position in-between crises and potentiality.
Dries Verhoeven studied theatre design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht (1995-1999). He started his career as a scenographer, from 2003 onwards he grew into an autonomous theatre maker, developing innovative projects which explore the direct address to the spectator. On the intersection of visual arts and theatre, his installations and experiential performances have appeared at numerous Dutch and international art festivals. Thy kingdom come (2003) was staged in Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, the UK and Germany; The big movement (2006) went on tour to Hungary, France and Belgium; his breakthrough performance You are here (2007) was performed at the Salzburger Festspiele in 2009 (AUS); Life streaming (2010) was presented at and co-produced with Schauspielhaus Bochum (DE) and the Lift Festival London (UK). Verhoeven has received high praise and various rewards for his pioneering set designs and his distinctive form of installation theatre, amongst others the Dutch mime award (2008) and the Mont Blanc Young Directors Award at the Salzburger Festspiele (2009).
How to register
This masterclass will be held in English and is limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Participants are expected to do some preparatory work in advance. This involves active orientation on the work of Dries Verhoeven, reading a few texts on current arts policy, and writing a short statement regarding the topics addressed in this masterclass. Instructions and information will be sent right after application and admittance.
Applications can be sent to Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink, L.W.GrootNibbelink@uu.nl, subject ‘masterclass’. Please add a short motivation (keep it short! a few lines suffice).