Enriching Cultural Exchange through Theatre

The Netherlands, with its rich artistic heritage and cosmopolitan cities, has emerged as a vibrant hub for English-language theatre productions. This flourishing scene not only serves the diverse expatriate population but also enriches the cultural tapestry of the nation, promoting inclusivity and connectivity among locals and foreigners alike.

Empowering Expatriates and Enriching Dutch Culture

For internationals living in the Netherlands, English-language t-heatre serves as a vital link to their cultural roots and a source of comfort in a new country. Productions performed in their native language provide a sense of familiarity and belonging, helping expatriates navigate the challenges of adaptation and integration.

Moreover, English-language theatre offers internationals a platform to express themselves creatively and connect with like-minded individuals. Participating in theatre productions allows for the forming of meaningful connections, building friendships, and establishing a sense of community in their adopted country.

Beyond satisfying internationals, English-language theatre plays a crucial role in enriching Dutch culture by exposing local audiences to foreign productions. By attending English-language performances, Dutch audiences can delight in the many linguistic, -cultural, and artistic traditions, broadening their perspectives and fostering cultural exchange.

Furthermore, English-language theatre challenges traditional notions of national identity and encourages Dutch audiences to embrace diversity and inclusivity. By engaging with stories and themes from around the world, Dutch audiences develop a deeper understanding of global issues and cultivate empathy and tolerance towards people of different backgrounds.

Venues and Companies

The English-language theatre landscape in the Netherlands is diverse and dynamic, offering a plethora of options for theatre enthusiasts. Alongside established institutions like Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) and the Queen’s English Theatre Company, smaller companies like the Orange Theatre Company and STET have carved out their niche, providing unique and compelling experiences for audiences.

STET has been active in promoting cultural exchange through theatre since 2006. By showcasing productions from around the world, STET exposes audiences in The Hague to a diverse range of perspectives and artistic styles, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

English-language theatre in the Netherlands serves as a vehicle for cultural exchange, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. English-language theatre plays a vital role in promoting social cohesion and building bridges across linguistic and cultural divides. It also serves as bridge for the young international com-munity to their cultural roots, a ‘learning through doing’ which reinforces a student’s confidence in using a second language.

As the vibrant theatre scene continues to evolve, it will definitely remain a cornerstone of cultural diversity and artistic innovation in the Netherlands.

From ITA’s Manifesto

ITA is also a major talent centre focusing on education, development and collaboration. The new theatre will speak with one voice to the city, the country, funds, sponsors and, of course, its audiences. In short, a theatre venue that speaks clearly to the city and its residents. ITA Academy is the centre of the theatre tradition in the Netherlands. Students can follow workshops at the ITA Academy. Each year, we put on special performances with young people. Amateurs can follow master classes, or play in one of our theatres. We challenge students to find the artist mindset in themselves and turn it on. Guided by inspiring artists and art teachers, we explore society, your own role in it and what ‘the other’ means in it. This is how we help build a generation of young people who, through having the space and curiosity, want to and are able to shape their future according to their own insights and creative solutions.

Stichting The English Theatre STET is a long-standing ACCESS Partner.

From STET’s Manifesto

Our theatre company continues to provide high-quality inclusive professional English language theatre in the Netherlands. We present international and national emerging theatre makers that create independent work from around the World and create an environment of learning both artistically as well as politically. STET Spotlight Talks promotes a platform that generates interactive debate and discussion opportunities to create a long-lasting effect for each theatrical experience we provide. We use English surtitles for those performances that use another language and provide English spoken workshops and after show talks. STET aims to become a place for connections, inspiration, gathering experiences in a unique and stimulating environment among audiences, artists and communities. With STET NO LIMITS we program shows from disability-led companies and every show that we program will be accessible to everyone, thus creating a precedent for the future of accessibility in the performing arts. STET EDUCATION offers workshops, masterclasses and performances to our audiences, professionals and schools all over the Netherlands.

About the author

Giulia Quaresima earned a Master’s Degree in Modern Philology from Sapienza Università di Roma (Italy) in 2016 and currently works as a documentation manager in the aerospace sector. Giulia has been a contributor at ACCESS Magazine since 2019 and has lived in The Netherlands since 2018.

As originally published in the ACCESS Magazine.  

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