Berthe Spoelstra appointed artistic director of the Theatre Directing study programme

photography: Bas de Brouwer

Published on

The directorate of the Academy of Theatre and Dance (ATD) of The Amsterdam University of the Arts has appointed Berthe Spoelstra as new artistic director of the Theatre Directing study programme beginning on 18 April 2022. She succeeds Steven Van Watermeulen, who is handing over his position at the end of this academic year, after eight and a half years of inspired and passionate artistic leadership.

Berthe Spoelstra (1969) is a dramaturge and writer. She studied theatre science at the University of Amsterdam and the Sorbonne in Paris and followed internships at the Volksbühne Berlin with Frank Castorf and C.N.R.S. (Unité Théâtre et Musique) Paris. In 2005, together with Cecile Brommer, Daphne Richter and Alexander Schreuder, she launched an online magazine called TheaterSchrift Lucifer.

Berthe worked regularly as dramaturge for among others, Theatergroep Macus (now Maas) and De Theatercompagnie. From 2007-2021, she was in-house  dramaturge for Frascati Theater Amsterdam where she was mainly active for  Frascati Productions. Berthe has worked with a wide  range of theatre makers in a freelance capacity. Since 2021 she is a member of the Kernteam Regie at the Toneelacademie Maastricht (Hogeschool Zuyd). In addition Berthe is a (temporary) film and dance advisor for the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.

In May 2019, Berthe Spoelstra’s first novel Schemerland was published by Van Oorschot. Her second book Zwerm (2021) is now also available.

Anthony Heidweiller, director of the Academy of Theatre and Dance:
‘I’m very pleased to welcome Berthe Spoelstra as the new artistic director of the Theatre Directing study programme. Berthe has a clear pedagogical vision and
experience in guiding and coaching starting directors at the Frascati production house. The Theatre Directing study programme will have an artistic director who has a sharp eye for the profession, is open to the world, social issues and embraces the future field of work.

About the Theatre Directing study programme:
At the Theatre Directing study programme you learn to delve deeper into your own fascinations. You are taught how to translate your ideas into theatre with an artistic team, so that you can express exactly what you find interesting. The Theatre Directing study programme challenges you to explore, map, question and translate topics that captivate you. It helps you devise forms that articulate  what you want to say. By investigating your artistic concept with a team of designers, technicians and actors you discover how to shape your dream.  

www.atd.ahk.nl/opleidingen-theater/regie/

Share