Long affiliated with the city because of her exciting choreographies for Productiehuis Rotterdam (now Productiehuis Theater Rotterdam), and with many years’ experience as a maker and artistic manager of Solid Ground Movement, in 2020 Alida Dors decided it was time to step up her impact and work for change as artistic leader at Theater Rotterdam. Earlier this year she was promoted to artistic director, putting her fully in charge of pursuing her mission and vision.
How do you want to make a difference?
“Theater Rotterdam is a performance stage and production company. We invite guests to present their work and complete that programming with our own productions. In my vision, TR should revolve around the artists at the heart of the organization, so they’re visible and have room to continue evolving. Alongside that, there has to be a focus on qualitative mutual relationships: relationships in which people learn from one another. As a company, we also want to be a reflection of the city, of the place we’re a part of.”
What does dance culture mean to you, and what is it you want people to experience?
“Movement releases pent-up energy and so it’s a kind of outlet. It’s great to just jam at a club, and at home with the kids there’s loads of jumping and dancing. In the performing arts, dance gives me a way to share that energized state with the audience. It’s a tool to express myself. I want to evoke something in people – thoughts, feelings or empathy with other perspectives on the world. Moving bodies are a good medium for that, because first you feel something, and then if there’s a good story the images stay with you. The themes driving my work tend to revolve around conflict between the individual and society, or the tensions that come with socioeconomic growth.”
“Theater Rotterdam is a performance stage and production company. We invite guests to present their work and complete that programming with our own productions. In my vision, TR should revolve around the artists at the heart of the organization, so they’re visible and have room to continue evolving. Alongside that, there has to be a focus on qualitative mutual relationships: relationships in which people learn from one another. As a company, we also want to be a reflection of the city, of the place we’re a part of.”
What does dance culture mean to you, and what is it you want people to experience?
“Movement releases pent-up energy and so it’s a kind of outlet. It’s great to just jam at a club, and at home with the kids there’s loads of jumping and dancing. In the performing arts, dance gives me a way to share that energized state with the audience. It’s a tool to express myself. I want to evoke something in people – thoughts, feelings or empathy with other perspectives on the world. Moving bodies are a good medium for that, because first you feel something, and then if there’s a good story the images stay with you. The themes driving my work tend to revolve around conflict between the individual and society, or the tensions that come with socioeconomic growth.”
What’s the role of culture in this city, in your view? How important is it?
“I strongly believe that culture connects. It brings different sections of society together. During the pandemic, I’ve also observed that culture makes daily stresses easier to bear. Just to take some time out and let yourself be enriched by a story or someone’s imagination. For young people or people with those interests, it’s also a tool for expression. It’s important for everyone to have that.”
Is there anything you’d like to add or change in RCD?
“I’d love to contribute to the redesign of Schouwburgplein. Artistic organizations could make a valuable contribution there, I think. The power of the performing arts lies in organizing and orchestrating meetings between different kinds of public. It would be amazing if we could achieve that together and I’m looking forward to it.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers of RCD Magazine?
“We have to ride this out, but we’re in the process of organizing all kinds of ways to reunite with our audiences. This last year we worked on R.I.O.T. (Ready In Order To), a performance we hope to put on early next year. For those who are interested, in May we’ll be releasing a filmic essay on the same theme with scenes from the show. We haven’t been idle and we’re keenly anticipating the moment we can reopen.”
“I strongly believe that culture connects. It brings different sections of society together. During the pandemic, I’ve also observed that culture makes daily stresses easier to bear. Just to take some time out and let yourself be enriched by a story or someone’s imagination. For young people or people with those interests, it’s also a tool for expression. It’s important for everyone to have that.”
Is there anything you’d like to add or change in RCD?
“I’d love to contribute to the redesign of Schouwburgplein. Artistic organizations could make a valuable contribution there, I think. The power of the performing arts lies in organizing and orchestrating meetings between different kinds of public. It would be amazing if we could achieve that together and I’m looking forward to it.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers of RCD Magazine?
“We have to ride this out, but we’re in the process of organizing all kinds of ways to reunite with our audiences. This last year we worked on R.I.O.T. (Ready In Order To), a performance we hope to put on early next year. For those who are interested, in May we’ll be releasing a filmic essay on the same theme with scenes from the show. We haven’t been idle and we’re keenly anticipating the moment we can reopen.”
5 april 2023
Het is lente! En dus hét startsein om weer massaal naar buiten te gaan. Rotterdam roept alle inwoners, ondernemers en bedrijven op om te kijken waar er in ieders omgeving nog tegels verruild kunnen worden voor groen.
5 april 2023
Rotterdam Central District (RCD) is in ontwikkeling. Voor dit gebied rondom het Weena zijn veel plannen. Zo komen er meer woningen, extra levendigheid en groen.
3 maart 2023
YES!Delft en MRDH zijn een samenwerking gestart om uit te zoeken wat de rol robotica kan spelen in het publieke domein. Aan welke soort hybride robotica toepassingen moet je denken?
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