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 © nnb

The secret Book of Caioni is an interactive quest for an ancient musical treasure: the most beautiful music collected by the monk Caioni in the 17th century, from Monteverdi and di Lasso till exciting Romanian dances. To reveal the Caioni codex, there are musical riddles to be solved and codes to be cracked. Annechien is stage director and designs the video. Premiere February 13, 2023 in Almere (NL). More info: THE SECRET BOOK OF CAIONI

Painting © Vincent van Gogh

Reed quintet Calefax brings artist Vincent van Gogh musically and theatrically to life in a visual musical journey about following your heart. In Van Gogh's Way to Go! we follow painter Vincent van Gogh along the path where his passion for art, without regard for any conventions, took him. The production has both a youth version and an evening concert version for adults. Annechien is responsible for the concept, stage direction, the video and lightdesign.Premiere February 24, 2023 in Amsterdam. More info: VAN GOGH'S WAY TO GO!

Images seasons © Jonathan Day / Composition © Annechien Koerselman

At the request of the Noord Nederlands Orkest (NL), Annechien is developing and directing eight videos for the online music program NNOotjes, intended for the lower primary school. Inspired by the theme of four seasons, Annechien selected eight well-known dutch children's songs, which will be now brought into the classrooms online in a fresh orchestrated way. Online Premiere Fall 2022. More information: NNOotjes.

Poster © nnb

In June 2021, Wishful Singing started the project Sing Strong. Since then, the ensemble has helped many lung covid patients with the help of singing and breathing exercises. Now the company, together with jazz pianist Bert van den Brink, brings the music from this program to the concert hall. Annechien stages and designs the light. Concert March 11, 2023 in Utrecht. More info: SING STRONG

Illustration © Eran Alboher

Noah, the (almost) last beaver is a theatrical concert about the consequences of today's climate confusion and a musical search for inventive solutions to turn everything around. Played by an actor and the Tonkünstler orchestra Vienna. Annechien is responsible for the concept, the text, the stage direction and the music dramaturgy. More information: NOAH, THE (ALMOST) LAST BEAVER.

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.

Biography

(a short biography for publication can be found in the Press Kit)

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