Today, the Supervisory Board announced that Tobias Kokkelmans has been appointed as the new director/manager of Stichting de Theaterdagen, organiser of the Nederlands Theater Festival, Amsterdam Fringe Festival, NTFJong and the in-depth platform for professionals NTF-Pro, as of 1 September. In doing so, he succeeds Jeffrey Meulman, who in May this year left the foundation after sixteen years for the Verkadefabriek in 's-Hertogenbosch.
The Foundation's activities are close to Tobias Kokkelmans' heart. "It seems to me a wonderful task to further deepen the importance and impact - together with all stakeholders. For me, the four platforms go beyond the promotion of Dutch theatre. This is where the outlines of a future landscape are drawn, with a finger on the pulse of time. For me, the great strength lies in the umbrella function: the foundation creates the place where different theatre audiences and 'scenes' come together. It thus shows how richly varied and innovative this form of performing arts is and how much need there is for connection between artists, organisers, advocates and audiences".
Especially in these times, he sees an additional function for the Foundation: "The showcase function is more important than ever in these corona times. Over the past year, society has not concealed its appreciation for art and theatre. At the same time, it is once again apparent how vulnerable the theatre sector is and how difficult it remains to make a powerful lobby towards politicians. In both cases, the Theatre Days Foundation has an essential role to play in the coming years."
The Foundation's Supervisory Board is delighted with Kokkelmans' appointment. "We think Tobias, with his experience and connecting ambition, is the right man in the right place and fits seamlessly into the existing team. With Tobias, we hope to broaden and increase the visibility of the festival and build even more bridges within our sector to emerge stronger from these times and the struggles of the past intense period," said Fred Boot as chairman on behalf of the Supervisory Board.
Kokkelmans (Heerlen, 1980) studied Theatre Science at the University of Amsterdam. He is currently artistic policy manager and festival dramaturge of O. (formerly Operadagen Rotterdam). As a dramaturge, he is and was involved with Nastaran Razawi Khorasani, Dries Verhoeven, Wunderbaum, Pieter Kramer and Jetse Batelaan, among others. He is (has been) a teacher at ArtEz in Zwolle, the Theaterschool in Amsterdam and Codarts in Rotterdam. In 2020, he chaired the Gieskes Strijbis Podium Prize. He regularly stirs in the cultural-political debate, writing and speaking on topics such as power and inclusion, emancipation and audience interests.
Supervisory Board of Stichting De Theaterdagen
Apart from Fred Boot (producer Soldaat van Oranje), the Supervisory Board consists of vice-chair Angelique Finkers (Director Zaantheater), Nicolien Luttels (Advisor and interim manager at Blueyard), Rubina Boasman (Lecturer in Social Work at Inholland The Hague & Expert on Diversity & Inclusion) and Jeroen Bartelse (General Director TivoliVredenburg).
English (UK) 
Nederlands 
Français 
