DANSLOG

Alexander Ekman is making a new work for NDT II. We are all very excited about what it will become. He will work with live musicians from Holland Symfonia who will share the stage with the dancers. On our website you can find studio previews!

Next to Alex' creation we will bring classics from Lightfoot and León's repertoire for NDT II. I look forward to seeing these works again. The live orchestra will surely bring something extra to the show. The former Nederlands Ballet Orkest, now Holland Symfonia, is almost our age and has been accompanying NDT ballets for almost 50 years. It's good to have them with us in this Jubilee season.

We look forward to seeing you and hop you will enjoy it too! Get your ticket on http://www.nederlandsdanstheater.nl/agenda

The architect selection for our new building is starting. To get a better idea of what the people of the City of The Hague find important for this new theatre complex, the architect selection committee has opened up a survey online. Here everyone who is interested can mention ideas, concerns and preferences; for our new house as well as the Spui square.

Many people are reacting and it will be very interesting for us, in the committee, to see what the focus of our local community is. From what I've heard so far, respondents are giving serious comments. Things we can work with. Sustainability and openness being important words. That I can embrace wholeheartedly.

Want to know more? Visit www.cultuurforum-spui.nl. I'd be interested in your opinion too!

For a while now we have been discussing the possibilities for a new theatre complex for Nederlands Dans Theater. There we would join forces with The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Conservatoire as well as the house programming (opera, dance, music, etc). Our current house is falling apart at the seams - Carel Birnie always said it was not built for eternity - and it needs major improvements. So many that building something new is more effective.

We see great opportunites here. Not just to improve our facilities and be more welcoming to the public. It's a great chance to form new alliances on the artistic as well as the business side; this will benefit Nederlands Dans Theater in its own development. And what about the square in front: with a new set-up, this could become a more inviting place for people to spend time.

Recently we've started a new phase in all these developments. The architect selection has started. I'm hoping for interesting creatives to sign up and for a good competition. Hopefully by this time next year we will have a great design and a go from the City so we can start making this dream come true.

It is so nice to enjoy the Holland Dance Festival. All these companies with a link to NDT are performing in The Hague. The beauty of it is that while all have similar roots, the outcome is very different. There is no comparison to be made between them; the common ground perhaps is quality. I'm out every night with dance; my learning curve is steep! ;-)

In any case it is a prolonged family reunion with lots of interaction. Tonight Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will show their work in our house; looking forward to it immensely.

And now the first performances of the Jubilee are behind us. What a party! So many people with us, ranging from Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and her family, our professional colleagues, lots of fans in the audience (sold out!), to many many members of our NDT family.

I am exhausted, but also exhilarated. These days melancholy meets excitement. We close a period and start a new one. The word challenging doesn't even begin to describe it! It's great to be a part of this.