HF Lab x DEGASTEN: JÖRĐ – Holland Festival

In JÖRĐ, fifteen young performers set out in search of ground, under the guidance of Christopher van der Meer and Antonia Keersmaekers, both theatre makers and musicians at DEGASTEN. JÖRĐ is the Icelandic word for “ground.”

Through movement, live music, and an ever-shifting landscape, you are taken into an exploration of what carries us, both externally and within. What is ground, really? Is it soil, heritage, body, breath, memory? A theatrical experience unfolding between the waves of the IJ and the floor of the Muziekgebouw.

This short performance draws inspiration from the practice of composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, known for her award-winning film scores for Joker and the series Chernobyl. She often works from improvisation, allowing compositions to emerge through experimentation and material research, guided by a deep sensitivity to empathy and listening to the stories of others. We carry this open, investigative approach into our own artistic process.

About HF Lab

For many years, the Holland Festival has created space for young thinkers, dreamers, and doers. HF Lab is the Holland Festival’s youth program. Through workshops, hands-on experience, and their own stage where they can share their vision, creations, and perspectives, young people become an integral part of the festival.

About DEGASTEN

DEGASTEN creates theatre in Amsterdam with young performers and makers (ages 13–31). The development of their acting, movement, imagination, and collaboration is central. It is not only about the final result, but just as much about the process: daring, experimenting, failing, and starting again. We work with hyper-diverse groups, where different backgrounds, ages, and levels inspire and strengthen one another. DEGASTEN’s strength lies in guiding young talent within a deeply personal context, often in collaboration with social, artistic, or educational partners. This approach results in theatre performances and experiences with a distinctive artistic signature.

About the creators

Christopher van der Meer is a singer, actor, and theatre maker, graduated from ArtEZ University of the Arts (Arnhem). His work moves between music and theatre, creating space for stories that resonate, connect, and spark curiosity. Christopher works as an actor, musician, and teaching artist with DEGASTEN.

Antonia Keersmaekers is a theatre maker, performer, and musician, graduated from the Academy for Theatre and Dance (Amsterdam). In her work, she continuously searches for the musicality of body and space. She creates absurdist theatre about life and death and prefers to work through co-creation: collaborating with her performers as a collective. After an internship with DEGASTEN, she remained connected to the company and has since worked with them on a project basis.

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Credits

from and with Ruthicia Lema, Falicio Kluivert, Lucas van Bemmel, Anbar Al idrissi, Zara van Oosterhout, Charise Roelofs, Sophia Loopstok, Lune-Blu Steenvoorden, Anne Roumelioti, Liesbeth Velsink, Maria Miller, Kai Reijnaert, Sam Pepe van Velzen, Ziggy Huijsman , Kira Ormskerk makers Christopher van der Meer, Antonia Keersmaekers  co-creation Amber Docters van Leeuwen production Flora Dekkers, Sifra Kramer, Mart Adriaan artistic guidance Rutger Esajas Olivier Stollenwerk technique Phoebe Harrison, Katja van Nieuwkerk, Jamilla Tordjo, Mirko Lazović, Simon Klein in participation with DEGASTEN

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Credits

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