Welcome to the website of Annechien Koerselman

stage director and playwright in Drama, Music Theatre & Opera

Annechien Koerselman (1976) graduated at the Academy of Dramatic Arts Maastricht, specialization stage direction.

Since she has worked as a stage director in Drama, Music Theatre and Opera in the Netherlands and abroad.

Furthermore, she writes scripts, adapts novels for the stage and translates plays.

With some regularity Annechien is also providing various organizations artistic and productional advice, commissioned by them

she writes applications for cultural subvention and is working as a dramaturge at several (music)theatre- and dance productions.

Last of all, she sometime teaches as freelance drama teacher within her workingfield.

Currently

Photo © Bas Oosterwal

In 2019 Dividivi3 presented their newest production for the youth Jungleboogy (4+) at the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam. A music theatre production about creating a private place and receiving invited and uninvited guests. The 3 musicians are back, in a coronaproof version. More info: JUNGLEBOOGY

Image © Unknown

Commissioned by Tonkuenstler Wien Annechien writes and stages two theatrical concerts in which the search for the most extraordinary sounds occupies central stage. And where one can better start this exploration than in the depths of the ocean where whales are singing and coral reefs are swinging. The premiere in Grafenegg (Austria) is due to Covid 19 moved to June 20, 2021. More information: THE SOUND ON THE TRACK.

Photo © Emil de Jong

At the Festival Winterkaravaan, young theater makers will give their perspective on the topic of personal responsibility with music, theater and performances. Wasteland, made by Sannah Aukes, Esther de Haas and Márin Kroon, is part of the festival. At the request of the Winterkaravaan, Annechien coaches the young trio. The premiere in Alkmaar (NL) is due to Covid 19 moved to June 29, 2021. More info: WASTELAND

Photo © WDR

Wayne Marshall was chief conductor of the WDR Funkhausorchestra Cologne from 2014 to 2020. Now, because of the Corona crisis a year later, the orchestra says goodbye to him in a festive and enchanting way, just like we know the conductor Wayne Marshall himself. Annechien directs and designs the light. The concert can be viewed via livestream on July 2, 2021. More info: THANK YOU WAYNE.

Poster © Nina Ball

In 2017 the successful performance Die Verblecherbande Die (The Brassgang) by the Austrian brassquintet Sonus Brass premiered. This musical theater production in which not a word is spoken, and music and acting are the only universal language, is touring across Europe. Annechien was responsible for the idea, the script, the stage direction and the light. More information: THE BRASSGANG.

Image © Christoph Greussing

The Austrian music ensemble Die Schurken undertakes a musical time travel to the 1930s in Paris, when the city of light almosted bursted of inspiratian and creativity. Artists buzzed likes bees around the artistic honey. Annechien signed up for the staging, the script and the light design. After the Luxembourg opening on the 17 of June 2018 an European tour has started. More info: PAR!S! PAR!S!

Image © Unknown

Composer Renske Vrolijk and stage director Annechien Koerselman investigated how they could present the semi-autobiographical story of Vrolijk in an both musically theatrically and exciting way on stage. The current story about gender dysphoria will be presented in an unique and controversial way by The Netherlands Chamber Choir in collaboration with the ensembles ORBI and BlIndman. The premiere at the Rotterdam Operadagen (Festival O.) has been moved to May 2022 due to Covid. More information: #UNCUT.

Image composition © Annechien Koerselman

Commissioned by Tonkuenstler Wien, Annechien writes and directs the musically theatrical performance Who's that knocking at my door?, based on the eponymous German picture book. A snowstorm makes three wild animals beg Vanya for help. One wonders if that goes well ... The premiere in Grafenegg (Austria) is due to Covid 19 moved to Season 2022/2023. More information: WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY DOOR

Illustration © Eline Jetten

Duo IJlstra-García fictionally puts a spotlight on Eva Gauthier in a theatrical concert. During the roaring twenties she combined classical repertoire with contemporary jazz works, which made the musical establishment up in arms. What is our opinion about this nowadays? Duo IJlstra-García plays, Corinne Heyrman writes the text, and Annechien stages. Premiere February 16, 2020. More information: IS JAZZ MUSIC TOO?

Biography

Annechien Koerselman is fascinated by stories larger than life. At four years old her mother taught her to read. Since she has devoured books from Greek myths, fairy tales to modern literature. Her theatre work reflects of course this fascination. On the one side she is staging myths (sometimes rewritten for theatre by herself such as The Flying Dutchman and Bonnie & Clyde), on the other side these stories are used as inspiration for the concept and set design of the productions.

Annechien has directed myths such as Atalanta by Peer Wittenbols (Oostpool, 2004), Bluebeard by Dea Loher (The Frequency/Atelier d., 2004) and The Flying Dutchman (Het Vervolg, 2006). For Bout'chou - 4 seasons (Philharmonie Luxembourg, 2014/2015) she created a world full of fairy tale images and music, so the adventures of the little elf Choupinette could come to life. Also in her musical-theatrical approach the connection through literature and visual arts is leading during her researchprocess for inspiration. In case of Fireface by Marius von Mayenburg (Theatre at the Spui, 2008) Annechien used Baroque music for her sounddesign to connect Heaven and Hell in a theatrical way.

Music

Above all, the most important element in her productions is music.

Portfolio

THE LITTLE UGLY DUCK

So it is possible [...] making fascinating theater, suitable for both children and adults. The combination of acting, vocals, music and text in the little ugly duck - a loose adaptation of the story by Hans Andersen, conceived and directed by Annechien Koerselman -led to a strong and creative performance lasting 75 minutes which was really telling something.

Rein Swart

DIJKDRIFT

Very special is that all players are both beautifully singing, making music in a marvelous way and are acting stronly at the same time. An incredible achievement of stage director Annechien Koerselman and all performers. Dijkdrift is an extremely original opera production.

Scenes, Jos Schuring