From 16 to 25 May, the multidisciplinary, international ExploreZ Festival place - organised by ZID Theatre Amsterdam - full of innovative dance, theatre and storytelling. The power of creativity, diversity and meeting celebrated through groundbreaking performances, inspiring workshops and surprising encounters at both outdoor locations and theatres spread throughout the city. Explore with us?
A stage for diversity and connection
The ExploreZ festival offers space to established and emerging makers from home and abroad. Stories you didn't know yet, art forms that surprise you - often from perspectives rarely heard.
"ExploreZ connects people through art," says Karolina Spaić, artistic director of ZID Theatre. "We create space for newcomers and bring Amsterdammers together to discover each other's stories."
SOURCE - Premiere by ZID Theatre
Outdoor location theatre
After the success of WATER, ZID Theatre brings the second part of its trilogy about nature and human connection: SOURCE. This new multidisciplinary performance plays at special outdoor locations, including the Van Eesteren Museum (Sloterplas) and the Erasmus Park in Amsterdam-West.
Where else can we breathe?
This interactive outdoor performance brings together personal stories, rituals and physical performance in a poetic ode to oxygen-the invisible force that connects us to nature. Inspired by The Last Tree (Luke Adam Hawker) and The Book of Hope (Jane Goodall), Oxygen offers a moment of collective reflection in the outdoors.
Concept & Direction: Karolina Spaić | Co-creation, text and performance: Sebo Bakker, Nivin Baranbo, Daan Bosch, Dora Draghi, Issam Zemmouri | Costumes: MAB - Marija Teodosijevic | Scenography: Rebecca Lillich | Artistic advice: Wendela de Vos, Jos Daamen | Music: Jera Topalovec
The Power of Now - ZID Theatre launches two books of its own
On 24 May at 20.00, Central OBA Amsterdam
ZID Theatre will present two new, in-house publications during a festive evening at the Central OBA (Oosterdok) in Amsterdam. In Theatre for the Here and Now, Karolina Spaić and Sebo Bakker share their working methods that they have developed over 30 years: socially engaged, with diverse makers, multidisciplinary and always groundbreaking. In addition, on the occasion of 750 years of Amsterdam, the Bucket List of Amsterdam West - Do and Inspiration book, full of stories, ideas and photos from residents. Both editions show the power of theatre and community in the here and now.
Premiere performances
SOURCE - ZID Theatre
Multidisciplinary outdoor performance about the invisible power of oxygen.
Double Bill
- I am Hussein, who are you? - Hussein Al-Khalidi (Madam Fortuna, Belgium)
Dutch premiere
A personal monologue about identity, future and belonging. - She is growing potatoes - Halina Mihutskaya-Tsikhamirava (Powered by ZID, Amsterdam)
A powerful solo about roots, borders and being at home, between Ukraine and the Netherlands
Triple Bill from new creators
ZID Theatre presents a varied programme of premiere performances by new creators - each former participants of ZID's FATE talent development programme - focusing on identity, transformation and self-expression.
- De-Icing: Melted Moments - Dora Draghi & Melody Fu
- Who Nose? - Amanda Lee
- Luis, the man with wings - Claribel Rodriguez Castillo & Christian Jara Sepulveda
MAAF/SORRY - Ista Putranto & Daan Bosch
MAAF - Bahasa for 'sorry' - examines the colonial past and its lasting impact. The performance asks probing questions about apologies, recognition and reconciliation. Based on interviews with former KNIL soldiers and people from former colonies, the performance offers a powerful perspective through theatre, mask play and music.
Explodium - Podium for New Talent
Discover the voices of tomorrow in this platform for young, new makers, with a migration background and/or refugee past presenting short performances and work-in-progress pieces.
- Explodium Outdoor - Noorderhof neighbourhood workshop
Location theatre
Featuring: Rachelle Traboulsi, Sofie van Doorn, Kseniia Komoza, Johanna Sauër, Maia Steinberg and Antti Uimonen conducted by Daan Bosch
- Explodium NOW - ZID Theatre
Multidisciplinary
With: Paola Martire, Rosina Lui, Sophie Gisbertz, Nataliia Rybalkina and Billy Mullaney
International collaborations
ExploreZ Festival is an international festival that brings together artists and cultural organisations from Europe and beyond. Through workshops, performances and exchanges, it explores the power of collaboration and creativity across borders. The programme is supported by Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. 2025 collaborates with partners from Ireland, Spain, Belgium and Finland.
About ExploreZ Festival
ExploreZ deliberately provides a stage for creators who are personally engaged and feel the need to ask important questions. They often bring forward stories that do not usually get the chance to be heard. These makers come from various countries and bring their own culture and worldview to the stage, where they engage in dialogue about the here and now. For the complete programme, tickets and other information, keep an eye on the ExploreZ Website! Or stay up to date via Instagram and Facebook!
About ZID Theatre
ZID Theatre is a cultural organisation, producer and stage in Amsterdam. ZID produces multidisciplinary performances and the recurring international ExploreZ Festival, as well as providing training for makers and performers. Talent development and creating opportunities for up-and-coming talent with a refugee past and migration background are essential to ZID's work. ZID consists of an international company of theatre makers, actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists working together on performances, workshops and cultural projects. With a strong focus on inclusivity, topicality and co-creation, ZID Theatre has in recent years positioned itself as a theatre company focused on fostering cultural dialogues and connecting communities of diverse backgrounds. ZID's work is deeply rooted in metropolitan dynamics and issues. The performances are created through co-creation, are associative and consist of authentic concepts by the creators.
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