Talk: Balancing boundaries in the artistic process

Opera directors face the challenge of creating innovative works while respecting the boundaries of others. In recent years, multiple cases discussed in the media have shown that this balance is still far from being consistently achieved. At Dutch National Opera, this issue is also current and widely discussed. This topic will be the focus of a roundtable discussion at the Opera Forward Festival on March 21.

During this program, the subject will be approached from the creator's perspective. We will discuss how to establish a work culture where both directors and singers/actors feel sufficiently free and safe to bring out their best. How do you, as a creator, balance intention and impact? What role can an intimacy coordinator play in supporting both the director and the performers? What is the role and responsibility of management when it comes to safeguarding the boundaries of performers, but also the boundaries of the director?

This conversation is led by Mirthe Frese and includes contributions from Sophie de Lint (director Dutch National Opera), Nina Spijkers (director), Mart van Berckel (director), Rosemary Joshua (singer and head of Dutch National Opera Studio) and Markoesa Hamer (intimacy coordinator).