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Het Debuut Many accolades for a new generation theatre makers

In the autumn of 2022, Het Debuut (‘The Debut’) made its 11th tour of the Netherlands’ theaters. The driving force behind the event is Via Rudolphi Productions. Each year, Via Rudolphi offers a number of recently graduated theatre makers a leg up. A great opportunity for both creators and audiences.

Every year, Via Rudolphi Productions will select three of the most striking graduate productions by leading young theatre makers. The selection is made according to their professional skills, power of expression and originality. The agency also aims to demonstrate just how diverse the new generation of talent is. The show – which consists of the three-short works – then tours twenty theatres across at least fifteen municipalities. A treat for curious theatre enthusiasts, other theatre makers still finding their feet and theatrical programmers looking for talent. But most importantly also for the theatre makers who get to bring their work to an audience.

Learning about entrepreneurship

There are many benefits for the selected young makers. While on tour, they receive mentoring from an artistic, production and technical team. They also interact with audiences after the performance to receive feedback. Throughout the process, the theatrical agency will help prepare them to become entrepreneurs. How to write a business plan, for example. But also: how to cost a production, or how to set about making choices. There is attention to fundraising, brand positioning, marketing and production planning. And throughout the process, Via Rudolphi Productions will be sharing its knowledge, experience and network.

‘The Debut’ has become a necessity now more than ever. Not just due to the COVID crisis which brought many things to a standstill and resulted in little or no visibility for a new generation of theatre-makers. But also, due to the collapse of the ITS Festival, dedicated to newly graduated theatre makers.

Many accolades

‘The Debut’ has received many accolades from the media over the years. Daily newspaper NRC Handelsblad, for example, referred to it as an ‘admirable concept’ within the theatre world. In 2022, De Volkskrant noted: ‘Het Debuut is one of the best kept secrets of Dutch theatre. The three young makers presented this year demonstrate this with surprising, contemplative performances.’