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.

Sometimes she also designs the light and/or set and/or costumes and/or video for the performances she stages.

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 teaches as freelance drama teacher within her workingfield.

Currently

Photo © Josephine Sacabo

At the end of September, a contemporary Dido & Aeneas will play in Bremerhaven (DE). With minimal means, Annechien shows the battle that Dido not only wages with her environment, but also with herself as a result of the black thoughts that keep on popping up and that have an undeniable influence on Dido's life. More information: DIDO & AENEAS

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 © WDR

For the eleventh time: an elephantastic concert. And this time Elefant, Hase, Anke Engelke & Andre Gatzke travel into space together with the WDR Funkhausorchestra, where they discover the most beautiful galactic classical music. Annechien will take care of the stage direction and the light design. Premiere November 25, 2021 in Cologne (DE). More information: SPACE (Das Weltall).

Illustration © Unknown

As a Christmas surprise for their parents, the gnome children Vesta and Diana want to decorate a pine tree, but in the process they accidentally turn King Winter's land upside down. Oh Tree of Wonder is a non-verbal, participatory music theater production for the whole family (ages 4 and up). Annechien takes care of the concept, stage direction, script and music dramaturgy. Premiere December 04, 2021 in Grafenegg (AT). More information: OH TREE OF WONDER.

Foto © Sven Scholten

Who does not know her: Loo, the almost 400-year-old palace of the House of Orange in the heart of Apeldoorn. But how well do you really know this diva with royal traits? Loo is a dazzling music theater performance in which Dutch history is dusted off, almost forgotten stadholders, kings and queens present themselves, and bridges are built to the present. Annechien is responsible for the concept, th stage direction, script and music dramaturgy. Premiere 09 February 2022 in Theater Orpheus Apeldoorn. More information: LOO.

Composition Image © Annechien Koerselman

At the request of the WDR and the WDR Runfunkchor, Annechien develops and directs 2 video clips, which will be recorded in the monumental Karl von Bismarcksaal of the WDR Funkhaus. Both video clips will be shown on the You Tube channel of the WDR Rundfunkchor in due course. More information: Videoclip WDR Rundfunkchor.

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 © Larisa Wiegant

At the Oranjewoud Festival, mezzo soprano Cora Burggraaf will make her first production as part of the New Makers Programm of the Performing Arts Fund The Hague. On request, Annechien coaches Cora artistically in her development as a new music theatremaker and is final stage director. More information: INNER VOICE.

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