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THE GROUP

Speeltheater Holland is a non profit touring theatre company in The Netherlands, based in Edam, about 25 km above Amsterdam.

Founded in 1976, the company has performed theatre for children for over thirty years. Their performances range in size from plays using one to three actors as well as larger‑scale productions. Speeltheater Holland makes theatre for children from all ages and sometimes for adults. The productions include the use of puppets combined with acting and other theatrical disciplines. Different (puppet) techniques and other theatrical means are used for each production, but the visual element plays a prominent part in all performances.

BECOME A FAN ON

In the old center of this beautiful small town is the theatre, where the performances are created, before they go on tour in the Netherlands.
The company does not only present itself in Holland, but also in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Antilles and the United States of America.
Most of their productions are translated in the language of the country where they perform.

The productions include the use of puppets combined with acting and other theatrical disciplines. Different (puppet) techniques and other theatrical means are used for each production, but the visual element plays a prominent part in all performances.

For each production Speeltheater Holland engages new actors, puppeteers and sometimes guest directors, and, depending on the nature of the performance, other experts such as composers, musicians, authors, choreographers etc. In addition to developing and presenting performances Speeltheater Holland also seeks to be a breeding ground for young (puppet) theater makers and a place where new forms of co-operation can be experimented with.

This is our theatre:

The Speeltheater in Edam

THE ARTISTIC TEAM

Onny Huisink and Saskia Janse are the co‑founders of Speeltheater Holland. For Speeltheater Holland, Ms. Janse is the writer and Mr. Huisink the director, but they also collaborate with guest writers and directors as well. Both of them also work as designers from time to time. The group is subsidized by the Dutch government and is one of the largest and most prestigious puppet theatre companies for children in Holland.

AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL WORK

Amongst other prizes, Speeltheater Holland was awarded twice with a prize for their long and outstanding contribution to children’s theatre in the Netherlands. They also received several awards for the performance of 'Perô or the Mysteries of the Night', last but not least in 2008 they received the Victor Award at the International Showcase in Tampa, Florida.

Since 1997 Speeltheater Holland maintains an alliance with the Seattle Children’s theatre. This alliance has resulted in many international productions like Stellaluna, Apple to Grandma and Nicky Somewhere Else and Perô (with an American cast).

Speeltheater Holland is also a partner in the Connecting Stories group, a network of Iranian, Dutch and North American theater people.

In 2011 Speeltheater Holland has an international tour with the Dutch cast planned for Perô or the Mysteries of the night.

Read reviews from abroad

If you saw one of our performances in the Netherlands or abroad you can write something in our guestbook. We are always curious about the reactions of our audiences.

The group is supported by different foundations and of course their own group of donors.

	Welcome to THE GROUP Speeltheater Holland is a non profit touring theatre company in The Netherlands, based in Edam, about 25 km above Amsterdam. Founded in 1976, the company has performed theatre for children for over thirty years. Their performances range in size from plays using one to three actors as well as larger‑scale productions. Speeltheater Holland makes theatre for children from all ages and sometimes for adults. The productions include the use of puppets combined with acting and other theatrical disciplines. Different (puppet) techniques and other theatrical means are used for each production, but the visual element plays a prominent part in all performances. BECOME A FAN ON In the old center of this beautiful small town is the theatre, where the performances are created, before they go on tour in the Netherlands. The company does not only present itself in Holland, but also in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Antilles and the United States of America. Most of their productions are translated in the language of the country where they perform. The productions include the use of puppets combined with acting and other theatrical disciplines. Different (puppet) techniques and other theatrical means are used for each production, but the visual element plays a prominent part in all performances. For each production Speeltheater Holland engages new actors, puppeteers and sometimes guest directors, and, depending on the nature of the performance, other experts such as composers, musicians, authors, choreographers etc. In addition to developing and presenting performances Speeltheater Holland also seeks to be a breeding ground for young (puppet) theater makers and a place where new forms of co-operation can be experimented with. This is our theatre: The Speeltheater in Edam THE ARTISTIC TEAM Onny Huisink and Saskia Janse are the co‑founders of Speeltheater Holland. For Speeltheater Holland, Ms. Janse is the writer and Mr. Huisink the director, but they also collaborate with guest writers and directors as well. Both of them also work as designers from time to time. The group is subsidized by the Dutch government and is one of the largest and most prestigious puppet theatre companies for children in Holland. AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL WORK Amongst other prizes, Speeltheater Holland was awarded twice with a prize for their long and outstanding contribution to children’s theatre in the Netherlands. They also received several awards for the performance of 'Perô or the Mysteries of the Night', last but not least in 2008 they received the Victor Award at the International Showcase in Tampa, Florida. Since 1997 Speeltheater Holland maintains an alliance with the Seattle Children’s theatre. This alliance has resulted in many international productions like Stellaluna, Apple to Grandma and Nicky Somewhere Else and Perô (with an American cast). Speeltheater Holland is also a partner in the Connecting Stories group, a network of Iranian, Dutch and North American theater people. In 2011 Speeltheater Holland has an international tour with the Dutch cast planned for Perô or the Mysteries of the night. Read reviews from abroad If you saw one of our performances in the Netherlands or abroad you can write something in our guestbook. We are always curious about the reactions of our audiences. The group is supported by different foundations and of course their own group of donors.