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

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) will be on June 18, 2023. More information: THE SOUND ON THE TRACK.

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.

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. More info: PAR!S! PAR!S!

Poster © Carrie Zwarts/Foto © Anne Claire de Breij

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

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

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

Illustration © Alfieri

Oldies versus Fresh Blood. In Jazz mal anders WBB meets BuJazzO. A Jazz evening with the professionals of today and the stars of tomorrow. Commissioned by the WDR Köln, Annechien provides stage directional advice and will design the light. Premiere October 26, 2023 in the Kölner Philharmonie Cologne (Germany). More information: JAZZ MAL ANDERS

Images © WDR / Composition © Annechien Koerselman

For the 5th year in a row, Annechien is directing the popular Konzert mit dem Elefanten at the WDR Cologne. She also designs the light. This year, together with Anke Engelke, André Gatzke and the WDR Funkhausorchestra, she storms the acrobatic and musical arena of the Circus. Premiere November 04, 2023 in Cologne (Germany). More information: CIRCUS

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