How cool would it be to have Festival de Betovering – the art festival for children in the city – opened by children? Exactly! That is what we are going to do!
Here you can read more about the Bigger than life project and sign up for the selection workshop.
REGISTRATION FOR THE SELECTION WORKSHOP IS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 12!
Under the direction of a professional artistic team from Theaterschool Rabarber and Cat Smits Company, we will work together with a group of performing actors to build a unique theatre production with which we will open the festival in late October 2025 and subsequently continue to perform at Theater Merlijn.
What is the show actually about?
The magic is that the performance is created by the group's own ideas! The starting point is the theme: Fear & Resilience. “What does your fear look like?” and “Where in your body is fear located?” Based on these questions, 14 young performers aged 8 to 14 explore what fear means to them and how it can manifest in boundless imagination. Aspects of fantasy come to life in large puppets and objects manipulated by multiple performers simultaneously. To what extent do you have influence over your own fears? And what happens when you can manipulate your fears and bend them to your will? Above all, Bigger than life becomes a visual, poetic, and hopeful theatre performance about inexhaustible resilience and ingenuity. And the best part: you are a co-creator and performer of the show yourself!
Who are we looking for?
Children and young people aged 8 to 14 who have the time and inclination for a great theatre adventure! We are looking for young people of all shapes and sizes – big and small, strong and agile, thinkers and doers. We are looking for actors from all over the city! We would love to create this together with the city.
What do we ask of the participants?
There are no participation fees associated with this project. So, you can participate for free. However, we do ask for attention, motivation, and time. Participating means being present at all times. Theatre is a team sport, and you need each other to create an unforgettable performance. That is why we ask you, together with your parents, to keep a close eye on when the rehearsals and performances are scheduled.
When are the rehearsals?
Rehearsals will take place from May through October 2025. Rehearsals start on Sunday, May 18, and will be held every Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM until July 13. During the last week of the summer holidays, there will be a summer preparation week from August 27 to 31, during which we will rehearse intensively daily from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. After the summer holidays (starting September 7), weekly rehearsals will resume on Sundays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Please note: this will be followed by two rehearsal weekends: October 4 & 5 and October 11 & 12 (daily from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM). All rehearsals take place at the Theaterloods, Laan van Poot 97 in The Hague. Click here for the full overview.
When and where do we play?
On October 17 & 18, we will perform two shows in Hall 1 of Theater het Spui during the opening of Festival De Betovering. On October 27 & 31 and November 2 & 3, we will perform at Theater Merlijn (Rabarber) for various primary schools from the city. Times will follow. In total, we will perform 10 times! (We will make arrangements regarding this in consultation with the schools of the participating players, as some of the performances will take place on school days).
How can I participate?
In April, Rabarber will be hosting theatre workshops at various locations throughout the city. More information will be available later. You will be assigned to a workshop in your area. During these selection workshops, you can try out whether this project suits you and whether we think you are ready for this great adventure. If, after the workshop, the instructor advises you to participate in the audition workshop, you can sign up! This audition workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 7th, sometime between 15:30 and 19:00 at Rabarber (Bilderdijkstraat 35).
Participation is only possible if you have completed the audition workshop and have been selected by the creators. Naturally, you must be available during the rehearsal and performance period. So, please check the overview with all dates and times carefully.
We hope to see you at one of the selection workshops! If you have any questions, please contact Miranda van der Kooy (miranda@rabarber.net / 070-3450996).
