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

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?

Illustration © WDR

The Concert with the Elephant is existing for 10 years, which is reason to throw a party. The WDR therefore is offering gifts, balloons and especially music. Musical hits from the past decade are also presented. Just like last year, Annechien will be the stage director and designing the light. Premiere November 28, 2020. More information: BIRTHDAY PARTY.

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 ... Premiere December 05, 2020 in Grafenegg (Austria). More information: WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY DOOR

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, presented in an unique and controversial way by The Netherlands Chamber Choir in collaboration with the ensembles ORBI and BlIndman, will premiere in May 2021 during the Rotterdam Operadays. More information: #UNCUT.

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. Premiere June 20, 2021 in Grafenegg (Austria). More information: THE SOUND ON THE TRACK.

Photo © Ronald Knapp

In 2012 The Musicfactory by Calefax Reed Quintet, which Annechien staged and for which she wrote the script as well, won the Junge Ohrenpreis. Since then the performance literally crosses the world, because the only "spoken" language is music, a language everyone speaks. In 2020 the Musicfactory will be performed again for one time in the Netherlands. More information: THE MUSIC FACTORY

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!

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.

Photo © Bas Oosterwal

In 2016 Dividivi 3 made the music theatrical production When witches put a spell. In 2019 their newest production for the youth will open at the Grachtenfestival Jungleboogy (4+). About creating a private place and receiving invited and uninvited guests. More info: JUNGLEBOOGY

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