Play along in the performance
The emperor's clothes (in a different jacket)
We have news! Our theater project is taking a fresh turn. Instead of the original route with rehearsals spread over several months, we are now deliberately choosing an intensive, summer theater vacation in August. And you can play along!
We focus entirely on the period from August 2 to August 7 2025. During that week we will build together, step by step, a fun and strong theater performance, culminating in the performance on Thursday, Aug. 7.
The plan
Do you dream of participating in a theater production yourself? Do you have little or no experience, or have you been playing the stage for years? Then this is your chance. In a number of game trainings you learn all the basic skills of acting. So everyone starts from the same foundation. This will speed up the rehearsal of the show a lot, because everyone speaks "the same language.
Besides having a great time together, meet you'll undoubtedly meet great new people. The script, based on Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale, is already there in outline. That gives you something to hold on to and clarity. Of course, there is still plenty of room for your own input and creativity.The play rehearsals flow seamlessly into the rehearsals for the performance.
In short, this is almost a mini actor's training, with a clear beginning and end. You will learn to apply acting terms such as blocking, accepting, cashing in, defining and reacting in playing a role. The whole process will help develop your self-confidence and presentation skills. You will learn to work together, make yourself understood and shape a role. All this through playing a performance in front of an audience.
The game training followed by rehearsals for the performance "The Emperor's Clothes (in a different jacket)" is for everyone aged 13 and older and will be given and performed at Athena Ossendrecht.
The story
The story takes place in a country where everyone is naked. Everyone thinks nudity is very "naked. Why? Everyone in this fairy tale knows that it's not about the outside, no one stands out from the other by expensive clothes. Everyone is comfortable being themselves.
The same is true of the emperor of this country. And even though he also wears no clothes, he still manages to distinguish himself from the people with his vanity. Not in terms of his appearance, for that plays no role in this country. It is the attention he gets from the people. He wants to be seen and loved. And he succeeds. The people wear him on their hands.
But at some point when everything becomes more expensive, people begin to complain. At the traditional weekly carriage ride to the emperor's honor and glory, fewer and fewer people are cheering. The people are clearly leaving him out in the cold ... The emperor literally gets cold. He wants to start wearing clothes, but his advisors advise him against it. It would make him stand out from the people, which is exactly what he should not do at this time! The people might feel exposed.
Is the emperor really so cold that he wants to run that risk? The emperor insists. After all, it is the people's fault. Then two tailors offer the solution ...
The game teacher and director
Playwright Erwin van Heusden put together this production in consultation with Athena. He is an experienced actor, director and game teacher. In 1999 he graduated from the ArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. Until the age of 30, he starred in several television and theater productions.
In 2004, as an actor, he appeared with Studio 100 in the musical "The Sound of Music. During this production, he realized that he missed making theater ... He stopped playing and focused entirely on directing performances. He takes his experiences on stage into his work as a director.
Erwin has since been creating performances for over twenty years, worked as a drama coach on several television and theater productions, and teaches two days a week as a high school theater teacher.
Really something for you?
Are you interested in working with Erwin to make this project a success? Would you like to learn to act in one week and would you like to participate in this performance? Then sign up! You pay a contribution of ... Euro. Acting experience is not necessary. Ook as an absolute beginner you are welcome to join. Please note: there is room for a maximum of 15 actors.
Practical
All rehearsals take place at Athena Ossendrecht. For classes and rehearsals, it is helpful if you have easy-fitting clothingthing so that you can move freely.
Rehearsals and performance will take place at Athena Ossendrecht:
- Rehearsals: from Saturday, Aug. 2 through Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Location:Athena Ossendrecht
- Performance:Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, 3 p.m.
Registration is free. Apply and with any luck we will contact you to participate. We seek out a diverse group.
Will you join us?
Awesome! Sign up via email:(CLICK HERE)
Mention:
- surname and first name
- date of birth
- your email address
- your phone number.
- Justify why you would like to participate in the project.
We hope to have enough entries by mid-July to put together a nice party. We will contact you back then anyway.
If you have additional questions first, please also respond via the link.