OUR STORY
Production house Plein Theater creates theater projects that connect with historical and current themes of the world around us. And as community space we stimulate connection and co-creation with the neighborhood. In 2019, we started the initiative DE VRIJE VLOER from that point of view. In the summer we invite an artist-in-residence, who further develops a performance together with locals. In 2023, we build on our vision with several programs.
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Inspiration from the East District
We believe in the power of arts and culture to connect communities and boost positive change. Our source of inspiration is the diversity of perspectives that live in Amsterdam East. Divided into 15 very different neighborhoods, no fewer than 142,000 people with 180 different nationalities live in our district. The east of the city has a wealth of different art and cultural forms and a mix of cultures and activities that give meaning to the district. Our aim is to counter polarization and give many individuals and communities, with different backgrounds, needs and stories, a voice, a stage and an audience. And thus build a bridge from opposition to connection.
Connection through art, how do we do that?
By joining the table together and talk about shared social themes such as climate change, identity and diversity, poverty and local history. By going into the neighborhoods and organizing cultural activities with and for the neighborhood in public spaces. By inviting artists to develop a performance together with local residents and interested parties. By creating a safe space for sensitive topics such as sexuality and gender. By commemorate and celebrate moments from our collective history.
But especially by opening the doors. Open to ideas that we have not yet come up with. Open to people and initiatives that make our district and the city beautiful.
We heartly invite you to think along, discuss and participate!
VRIJE VLOER 2020
From 14 to 22 November 2020, the second Vrije Vloer Festival would take place in the Plein Theater; The festival for personal experiment with endless variations and limitless exorbitance!
Once again the theaters had to close and, in collaboration with 529 Mediaproductions, we converted our theater into a TV studio and recorded the various solo performances and monologues that were made by our co-creators.
From September to November, 24 participants made personal pieces in Dance, Creative Writing and Theater Making, under the lead of our passionate makers Gita Hacham, Merel Smitt, Jurrien van Rheenen, Dayna Martinez Morales and Vincent Verburg.
We would like to share these highlights with you in Vrije Vloer TV!
Vrije Vloer TV
Vrije Floor TV is a series, where 24 co-creators take you into their self-opinionated corona monologues and performances.
Under the guidance of five enthusiastic makers, they have been able to develop in the field of theater making, creative writing and dance improvisation in the Plein Theater in a few months. Each episode is a collection of unique and moving stories, shown by Amsterdammers.
Watch the episodes of Vrije Vloer TV here!
Vrije Vloer Podcast
You can also listen to the Vrije Vloer Podcast!
In this Vrije Vloer Podcast, director Berith Danse talks with the makers of podium for co-creation De Vrije Vloer 2020: Vincent Verburg, Dayna Martinez Morales, Merel Smitt, Jurrien van Rheenen and Gita Hacham.
Some of these makers have been involved with the Plein Theater for a long time, others only recently. Each of them has different skills and work experience. They know very well how to make people excel on stage. But because of their own backgrounds also what it is like to be an outsider, to represent a minority and what it costs to remain authentic.
In this Podcast you get the chance to learn more about the makers behind the podium for co-creation De Vrije Vloer in surprising and insightful interviews!
Who are they? And what are they creating in the Plein Theater?