Everyone wants to kiss him for a moment. Hans Kemna, shining centre of the 'book ball for actors', has just won the very first ACT Award. The award was presented at Amsterdam's Stadsschouwburg, during the ACT gala, the prologue to the Dutch Theatre Festival.
"I am flabbergasted. And to think I almost didn't come," laughs Kemna. "Chatting with actors all evening again. I wasn't in the mood for that. I love a party though, but I've been chatting to actors all day." Actress and ACT board member Anna Drijver managed to persuade him anyway. "She mentioned a little surprise, so I got curious. I'm vain like that." He didn't think about the ACT Award because he - and many with him - saw ACT initiator Waldemar Torenstra as an award winner. "I was genuinely surprised, and overjoyed of course. I dedicate my life to theatre and it's great that acting Netherlands appreciates that so much."
The ACT Award was created to thank people and organisations who have worked to improve the field of acting. "So these are usually not actors themselves, but the people around them. From a theatre director to a minister of culture," Anna Drijver explains. The dark beauty, dressed in shiny dress with matching ears, calls Hans Kemna a very deserved first winner. "He was one of the first casting directors in the Netherlands. He has been an important link between actors and work. He has a good eye for which talent belongs in which place. In addition, he does everything he does with love and has tremendous integrity."
Since Kemna started his business Kemna Casting sold to partner Job Gosschalk ten years ago, he has not disappeared from the theatre world. On the contrary. He works for Toneelgroep Amsterdam, does projects with young directors and teaches at the theatre school and directing school. He can still be found in the theatre a few days a week. "The world keeps me young. I want to stay in this profession for a very long time. They are not rid of me yet."
Hans Kemna thanks ACT for award
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