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

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.

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 © Irina Levitskaya

As long as your hair's all right... The WDR Funkhausorchester explores the world of hair, from Schlagers to musical hits from Hair. Hair & Makeupstylist Jan Wagner will perform live haircuts on stage. Annechien will be responsible for the stage direction and the lightdesign. Premiere October 22, 2022 in Funkhaus Cologne (DE). More information: HAIRLICH!

Illustrations © WDR / Composition © Annechien Koerselman

In the twelfth Konzert mit dem Elefanten Anke, André, the WDR Funkhausorchestra und the audience will dive under water. Put on your goggles and jump into the underwater kingdom. Annechien will again stage this theatrical concert and designs the light. Premiere November 2022. More info: UNDER WATER

Poster © Arrow Films

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. The premiere in Austria has been moved to 2022 due to Covid. More information: OH TREE OF WONDER.

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 St. Pölten (Austria) is due to Covid 19 moved to Season 2022/2023. More information: WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY DOOR

Illustration © Laeacco

Child prodigy Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote his works Schauspiel-Ouvertüre and Der Schneemann when he was 13 years old. Based on this, Annechien developed a music theater performance in which not a word is spoken, and music and acting are the only necessary way of communication. At the end of 2022, this love fairy tale will premiere at the Münchner Philharmoniker. Annechien is responsible for the concept, the scenario, the stage direction and the lightdesign. More information: THE SNOWMAN

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