New Maker at work
In 2025-2026 choreographer Tamar Porcelijn is working at MAPA to develop her craft and vision, with support from Fonds Podiumkunsten under the New Makers program.
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29-31 May & 5-7 June 2026
Whether you're a performer/maker curious about backstage magic or an aspiring
technician looking to sharpen your design skills: This hands-on experience will
illuminate the basic essentials of theatrical lighting design combined with a step to
scenographic aspects.
You’ll learn how to work with professional lighting equipment, understand the relation
between the architecture of lighting and dramaturgy, the difference between
absorption and reflection, and collaborate with performers and makers/directors to
bring a concept to life. From dramatic spotlights to subtle scene transitions, you’ll
explore how lighting transforms a stage into a living story.
Guided by experienced professionals, this workshop blends practical training with
creative exploration in a supportive, inspiring environment.
No prior experience needed - just curiosity and creativity.
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20 & 27 June 2026
Musicality of Movement 1 day intensive:
(2 separate workshops)
Workshop leader: Virág Dezső
1 day workshop for all musicians, performers. In this particular intensive - where different disciplines intertwine - the MoM approach helps you to explore and find the balance between music playing and stage performing. Improvisation towards real time composition will be in focus while enriching your understanding of the dramatic space.
The Musicality of Movement (MoM) approach focuses on enhancing physical performative qualities of musicians and singers, performers. Some of the key elements are:
Neutrality - strengthening you by allowing vulnerability,
Breathing - helping every moment to become musical and alive, and
Guided improvisation exercises - building trust in listening to others and to your own
intuition.
"Taking the body as a main means of expression and the performer as a starting
point for creation with the aim of “making the invisible visible” (Etienne Decroux)
Virag Dezso (MAPA’s artistic director) developed the MoM approach and has been
teaching, refining it over the past 10 years.
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19-22 Jun & 26-29 June 2026
Teacher Training Musicality of Movement
Level 1 & 2
Workshop leader: Virág Dezső
Level 1 (TTMoM1)
Requirements: minimum 30 hrs of MoM training & practice
The basic program is an introduction to the teaching method of MoM/Musicality of Movement approach. The course is based on the triangle Why - What - How with a special focus on:
- The inspiration and background information developing the MoM approach
- The nature of instruction
- The human body / Basic anatomy for instruction & guidance
- Feedback & reflection
- Signature exercises
By following the TTMoM1 the candidate is able to understand and formulate the general
- Learning objectives
- Learning goals
- Learning outcomes
By fulfilling the course requirements, the candidate has sufficient practical and theoretical information to be an adequate MoM instructor on a basic level.
Virag Dezso (MAPA’s artistic director) developed the MoM approach and has been teaching, refining it over the past 10 years.
Level 2 (TTMoM2)
On invitation only for certified MoM instructors.
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3-7 Aug. 2026
‘Animated Masks’ is a follow up of the ‘Animated Objects’ program, yet, all
performing artists are welcome to participate. Important is curiosity and wish to
explore the world of transformation and play.
In this theatre laboratory you will work with:
- classic face masks
- abstract masks
- one dimensional masks
- all kinds of objects, which will be manipulated both as masks and props.
You will learn:
- the importance of manipulation
- how to work precisely with direction
- with articulation,
- with detailed focussing - for example eyes, nose, chin, beak or any chosen object.
- about interaction
- about composition
In the process you will be guided and coached towards creating short scenes.
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10 - 30 August 2026
A fully immersive 3-week experience that allows for deep artistic exploration with guidance. You'll connect with peers and colleagues in a supportive, creative environment and find space for reflection, creation, and professional growth.
This intensive theatre laboratory program creates the space to explore the intersection of iconography, visual arts, and physical theatre.
Guiding participants to create a personal solo performance using handmade slide
projections that never fail to mesmerise the audience. The hands-on technique
behind it gives makers a high level of autonomy and creative freedom.
With MAPA experts: Ide van Heiningen, Machteld Aardse, Jeroen Kriek, Michael
Helmerhorst, Virág Dezső
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18-19 April 2026
The weekend will touch upon the following aspects:
• Breath: every movement is carried/guided by the breath
• Neutrality: alignment in posture
• Articulation: in breath, body, decision & action
• Space: connection with space, body, others and audience
• Balance & focus, in body and in space
• Transformation, shift/switch
• Listening – Musicality
• Improvisation
• Working on repertoire with a pianist
Both days will start with physical warm-up and exercises.
The last part of the afternoon will be used to work on repertoire with a pianist.
There is room for 12 participants, secure your spot on time. Spots are confirmed upon full payment.
16 January 2026
We are celebrating 11 years Studio MAPA Nederland in Haarlem.
With a special focus on the ongoing exchange with Mapa Ukraine and its future plans.
On the program further more:
A presentation by Studio Members Juliana Avellaneda with Aida Alvarez
A video documentary Procession of Icons Summer Academy 2025 by Eva van Heiijningen.
• Vrijdag 16 januari 19:30 -21:00
• Entree on donation
• Korte Verspronckweg 7 – 9, Haarlem
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Jan/Feb 2026
Animated Masks as a follow up of the Animated Objects program. We work with classic face masks, abstract and one dimensional masks and also objects, which will be manipulated both as masks and props.
Important is the manipulation and how to work precisely with direction. You learn how to work with the articulation and detailed focussing, for example eyes, nose, chin, beak or any chosen object. In the process you will be guided and coached towards creating short scenes. During the second block you will further deepen in the making process towards a solo presentation.
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7 - 8 February 2026
We open our doors for a special workshop with Jan Langedijk, who combines corporeal mime with martial arts to feel the rhythm between balance and off-balance, to come to poetry, and create dramatic moments in a performance.
Jan Langedijk invites us to discover the musicality of movement, where motion and emotion emerges from the foundations that lay dramatic interpretation.
Educated at the Mime School of the Theaterschool Amsterdam, Jan Langedijk was founder and artistic director of De Daders (1993–2005) and has been teaching for over 20 years at AHK (Amsterdam), HKU (Utrecht), and internationally with MAPA. Alongside his theatrical path, he has practiced wushu and taijiquan for more than 40 years.
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24 August 2025
Within the residency process of The Procession of Icons, we also celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day, honoring Ukrainian culture, resilience, and the artists who carry it forward.
On this day, three young Ukrainian performing artists will share a preview of their work, developed in Ukraine and perfected during the MAPA Summer Academy 2025 in Haarlem.
Together with their mime coach Oxana Chemyrys and leading Dutch artists, they have been exploring identity, memory, and transformation through mime, music, visual theatre, and embodied storytelling.
We are proud to support and celebrate Ukraine's independence through creativity, courage, and collaboration.
Limited seats; Don't miss out !
Make sure to secure your seat for a beautiful evening
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28- 29 August 2025
Over the past weeks, artists and performers from Ukraine and the Netherlands have come together in Haarlem. Working with both analog and digital projection techniques, mime training and scenography, we can say they fully explored the dialogue between image, body, and scenography. Starting from a suitcase filled with personal icons, the artists created solos that reflect their own stories while resonating with the MAPA studio they have been immersed in during the residency.
We are delighted to share the fruits of this exchange with you in three public presentations at our studio in Haarlem.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Artistic coaching and team
Machteld Aardse, Jeroen Kriek, Ide van Heiningen, Michael Helmerhorst, Kees van Zelst, Virág Dezso
With participating artists: Poppie-Joy Gillett, Virga van Heiningen, Charlotte Riedijk, Aida Fernandez
Supported by Haarlem4Ukraine
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11 - 29 August 2025
A fully immersive 3-week experience that allows for deep artistic exploration. You'll connect with peers and colleagues in a supportive, creative environment and find space for reflection, creation, and professional growth.
This intensive program explores the intersection of iconography, visual arts, and physical theatre, guiding participants to create a personal solo performance using handmade slide projections that never fail to mesmerise the audience. The hands-on technique behind it gives makers a high level of autonomy and creative freedom.
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9 August 2025
MAPA studio invites you for a try-out of a lecture-performance on the evolution of human movement by author and performer Aleksandar Acev (Croatia).
This show was developed in a ten-day MAPA residency, coached by Michael Helmerhorst.
Saturday 9 August 20:00
Doors open 19:30
Entrance: donations are welcome from 5 euro for ‘Colour for Ukraine’ project.
Reservations: info@mapa.nl
Foto credits: Julia Kampichler
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21 & 28 June 2025
Musicians! Improvisation towards real time composition will be in focus.
In this particular intensive, where different disciplines intertwine, the MoM approach helps you to find and create the balance between music playing and stage performing.
"Taking the body as a main means of expression and the performer as a starting point for creation with the aim of “making the invisible visible” (Etienne Decroux)
The intensives can be followed separately.
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23-24 June 2025
MAPA is thrilled to receive a 2 year grant from Fonds Podiumkunsten to support choreographer New Maker Tamar Porcelijn in the development of her work. She will present the first draft of her latest work "FALLING APART TOGETHER", combining elements from flamenco and contemporary dance with live guitar and a cinematic visual approach.
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19 - 29 June 2025
The Musicality of Movement (MoM) approach focuses on enhancing physical performative qualities of musicians and singers. Neutrality, breathing and improvisation are some of the key elements. The final result shows open, playful musicians; performers who are able to surprise themselves and the spectator by a combination of preciseness and originality.
The teacher training prepares musicians to become certified MoM instructors.
Virág Dezsö (MAPA's artistic leader), developed the MoM approach and has been teaching and refining it for over 10 years.
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31 May & 1 June 2025
Improve and expand body awareness, stage presence and performative skills by means of physical work. Open to voice students and professional singers.
Musicality of Movement (MoM) is developed by Virág Dezső based on corporeal mime and physical acting methods, geared towards musicians in general. In MoM for Singers, soprano, voice pedagogue and mime Charlotte Riedijk combines her skills in both disciplines.
Both days start with a physical warm-up & exercises. The last part of the afternoon will be used to work on repertoire with a pianist.
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17 May & 14 June 2025
Mask performance is a journey from outside to inside, where you let go of familiar patterns to discover new movements and expressions. These workshops emphasise physical awareness, energy, and storytelling without judgment.
Intensive 1: LARVAL MASK | 17 May 10:00 - 17:00
Explore the Larval masks, building on the Neutral mask, to enhance your physical development.
Intensive 2: CHARACTER MASK | 14 June 10:00 - 17:00
Discover the Character masks, focusing on bringing their unique personalities to life.
The two intensives lay the groundwork for a future six-day workshop (dates to be confirmed), where selected participants from intensives 1 & 2 are invited to create and perform a mask production using Larval and Character masks.
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10 May 2025
Discover beautiful and surprising ways of connecting with other bodies by lifting, supporting and being supported. This class is open to movers of any level or background.
Marjolein Wagter is an expert in the field of circus and partner acrobatics and a seasoned performer, maker and teacher. She will explain the fundamentals of giving and receiving support and guides participants through a safe and playful exploration of the endless possibilities of partner work.
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1 - 4 May 2025
Explore and deepen your physical performance skills by learning about masks and how they influence movement, gesture, and storytelling. The neutral mask brings the focus to our pure physical expression, making it a great tool to work on stage presence and physical acting skills.
Aleksandar Acev has a long trajectory as performer, maker and teacher and is an expert in physical theatre, body language and mask work. His approach opens up a dynamic environment for the exploration of physical expression and artistic discovery.
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18 & 19 April 2025
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MAPA surprised the Haarlem audience with thirteen site-specific performances at the former V&D building, titled MAPA MORPHOSIS (2020). For this special occasion, Michael Helmerhorst created the performance "Le Grand Magasin" with MAPA performers, focusing on the theme of retail excess.
As part of the growing collaboration between MAPA and the Pletterij, we now present an intimate version, "Le Magasin," performed by our three MAPA studio members: Aida Álvarez Fernández, Carla Dekker and Charlotte Riedijk. This performance combines various MAPA specialisations, including object and animation theater.
Additionally, a solo work by Aida Alvarez Fernandez will be showcased, developed during the MAPA Summer Academy "Procession of Icons." Her performance takes place within a scenographic design by her own hand.
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