Welcome to the website of Annechien Koerselman

stage director and playwright in Drama, Music Theatre & Opera

Annechien Koerselman (1976) graduated at the Academy of Dramatic Arts Maastricht, specialization stage direction.

Since she has worked as a stage director in Drama, Music Theatre and Opera in the Netherlands and abroad.

Furthermore, she writes scripts, adapts novels for the stage and translates plays.

Sometimes she also designs the light and/or set and/or costumes and/or video for the performances she stages.

With some regularity Annechien is also providing various organizations artistic and productional advice, commissioned by them

she writes applications for cultural subvention and is working as a dramaturge at several (music)theatre- and dance productions.

Last of all, she teaches as freelance drama teacher within her workingfield.

Currently

Design © Studio Rrook

At the request of vocal ensemble The Gents, Annechien will do the final staging for it's new program The Sound of Light. A concert in which not only the origin of light is sung, but also what light does to people will be reflected on. Premiere October 08, 2023. More information:THE SOUND OF LIGHT.

Photo © nnb

The secret Book of Caioni is an interactive quest for an ancient musical treasure: the most beautiful music collected by the monk Caioni in the 17th century, from Monteverdi and di Lasso till exciting Romanian dances. To reveal the Caioni codex, there are musical riddles to be solved and codes to be cracked. Annechien is stage director and designs the video. Premiere February 13, 2023 in Almere (NL). More info: THE SECRET BOOK OF CAIONI

Photo © Ronald Knapp

In 2012 The Musicfactory by Calefax Reed Quintet, which Annechien staged and for which she wrote the script as well, won the Junge Ohrenpreis. Since then the performance literally crosses the world, because the only "spoken" language is music, a language everyone speaks. In 2020 the Musicfactory will be performed again for one time in the Netherlands. More information: THE MUSIC FACTORY

Illustration © Alfieri

Oldies versus Fresh Blood. In Jazz mal anders WBB meets BuJazzO. A Jazz evening with the professionals of today and the stars of tomorrow. Commissioned by the WDR Köln, Annechien provides stage directional advice and will design the light. Premiere October 26, 2023 in the Kölner Philharmonie Cologne (Germany). More information: JAZZ MAL ANDERS

Images © WDR / Composition © Annechien Koerselman

For the 5th year in a row, Annechien is directing the popular Konzert mit dem Elefanten at the WDR Cologne. She also designs the light. This year, together with Anke Engelke, André Gatzke and the WDR Funkhausorchestra, she storms the acrobatic and musical arena of the Circus. Premiere November 04, 2023 in Cologne (Germany). More information: CIRCUS

Photo © Anne Claire de Breij

In December 2023, the world-famous harpist Lavinia Meijer and Wishful Singing, the Netherlands' most famous female a cappella ensemble will go on tour. They will perform the moving Christmas story The Little Match Girl Passion by David Lang (after the famous fairy tale by Hans Cristiaan Andersen) and the well-known, atmospheric A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. Annechien is responsible for the lightdesign for this Christmas programme, in which beauty and compassion come together. Premiere November 30, 2023. More information: THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL PASSION.

Poster © Arrow Films

As a Christmas surprise for their parents, the gnome children Vesta and Diana want to decorate a pine tree, but in the process they accidentally turn King Winter's land upside down. Oh Tree of Wonder is a non-verbal, participatory music theater production for the whole family (ages 4 and up). Annechien took care of the creation of concept, script, music dramaturgy, stage direction and lightdesign. More information: OH TREE OF WONDER.

Concerthall

A Hero's Journey

Photography © WDR (Livestream)

CREW

Conductor: Frank Strobel

WDR Editorial office & Dramaturgy: Dr. Elfi Vomberg

Stage directional advice: Annechien Koerselman

Lightdesign: Annechien Koerselman i.c.w. Martin Cohaus

Sound: Tobias Nievelstein

Organisation: West Deutscher Rundfunk Cologne (DE)

premiere January 14, 2021, WDR Rundfunkhaus Cologne (DE)

CAST

Singers: Bettina Mönch, Dominik Hees

Moderation: Julia Schöning

Orchestra: WDR Funkhausorchester

A Stairway to the Clouds

Fotografie © Ronald Knapp

CREW

Idea & Concept: Judith & Tineke Steenbrink

Stage direction & Script: Annechien Koerselman

Set- & Costumedesign: Dieuweke van Reij

Lightdesign: Désiree van Gelderen

Organisation: Oorkaan productions, Amsterdam

premiere April 21, 2012, Concertgebouw Amsterdam

CAST

Judith Steebrink (baroque violin)

Tineke Steebrink (chest organ)

Israel Castillo Hernandéz (viola da gamba)

Daniele Caminiti (Theorbe)

Diederik Rijpstra (Trumpet)

Carel Alphenaar (Actor)

BEATHOVEN

Beathoven

Photography © Klaus Görgen

CREW

Idea & Concept: Katharina Höhne

Composition: Stefan Behrisch, Georg Hamilton, Ludwig von Beethoven

Conductor: Wayne Marshall

Choreography: Kassandra Wedel

Visuals (Video & LED): Schnelle Bunte Bilder

Stage direction: Annechien Koerselman

Costumes: Katharina Höhne, Annechien Koerselman, Kassandra Wedel

Lightdesign: Annechien Koerselman & Ertan Kaya

Interpreter of the deaf & Co-trainer: Elisabeth Brichta

Organsiation: Westdeutscher Rundfunk Cologne

premiere January 24, 2020, Kölner Philharmonie Cologne (DE)

CAST

Dance: Kassandra Wedel & 28 deaf, hearing impaired & hearing teenagers

Electronic instruments: Marc Romboy

Moderation: Isabel Hecker, Kassandra Wedel (gebarentaal)

Orchestra: WDR Funkhausorchester

BILDER EINER AUSSTELLUNG WDR DACKL
BIRTHDAY PARTY
BOETEVERZEN
BOUT CHOU 4 ELEMENTS

Bout Chou 4 Elements

Photography © Sébastien Grébille

CREW

Idea, Concept, Playwright, Stage direction & Musical dramaturgy: Annechien Koerselman

Set & costumedesign: Nina Ball

Additional compositions: Max Fishbach

Lightdesign: Nina Ball & Annechien Koerselman

Technics: Julian Kopietz

Organisation: Philharmonie Luxembourg in cooperation with Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Earth October 03, 2015 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Air November 14, 2015 Philharmonie Luxembourg

premiere Fire February 28, 2016 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Water March 19, 2016 Philharmonie Luxembourg

CAST

Actress (Choupinette): Larisa Faber (Earth, Air, Fire), Frédérique Colling (Water)

Actor (Oberon) & Workshop of Singing: Max Fischbach

Musicians Earth: Signum saxophone quartet: Blaž Kemperle (sorpan Saxophone), Erik Nestler (alto Saxophone), Alan Lužar (tenor Saxophone), David Brand (baritone Saxophone)

Musicians Air: OPL Wind quintet: Hélène Boulègue (flute), Fabrice Mélinon (oboe), Emmanuel Chaussade (clarinet), Leo Halsdorf (horn), David Sattler (bassoon)

Musicians Fire: Peter Brunt (violin), Wiek Hijmans (electrique guitar), Uxia Martinez Botana (double bass)

Musicians Water: Stefanie True (soprano), Rachael Beesley (violon), Anton Baba (baroque cello) Giulio Quirici (théorbe, luths)

BOUT CHOU 4 SEASONS

Bout Chou 4 Seasons

Photography © Sébastien Grébille

CREW

Idea, Concept, Playwright, Stage direction & Musical dramaturgy: Annechien Koerselman

Set & costumedesign: Nina Ball

Additional compositions: Max Fishbach

Lightdesign: Annechien Koerselman

Technics: Mario Pawlowski-Grossmann

Organisation: Philharmonie Luxembourg en coopération avec le Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Autumn December 13, 2014 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Winter January 17, 2015 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Spring February 07, 2015 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Summer March 28, 2015 Philharmonie Luxembourg

CAST

Actress (Choupinette): Larisa Faber

Actor (Botanicus) & Workshop of Singing: Max Fischbach

Musicians Autumn: Gémeaux Quartett: Arisa Fujita (violon), Viktor Stenhjem (violon), Sylvia Zucker (alto), Matthijs Broersma (violoncelle)

Musicians Winter: Joint Venture Percussion Duo: Rachel Xi Huang, Laurent Warnier

Musicians Spring: OPL Wind Quartett: Samuel Bricault (flûte), Jean-Philippe Vivier (clarinette), Kerry Turner (cor), Antoine Berquet (basson)

Musicians Summer: Arte Mandoline Baroque: Mari Fe Pavón (mandoline baroque), Juan-Carlos Muñoz (mandoline baroque), Manuel Muñoz (mandole baroque), Jean-Daniel Haro (viole de gambe, violone)

Bout Chou 4 Seizoenen

Fotografie © Sébastien Grébille

CREW

Idee, Concept, Tekst, Regie & Muziekdramaturgie: Annechien Koerselman

Decor & kostuumontwerp: Nina Ball

Aanvullende composities: Max Fishbach

Lichtontwerp: Annechien Koerselman

Techniek: Mario Pawlowski-Grossmann

Organisatie: Philharmonie Luxembourg in samenwerking met Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Herfst 13 december 2014 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Winter 17 january 2015 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Lente 07 februari 2015 Musée Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg

premiere Zomer 28 maart 2015 Philharmonie Luxembourg

CAST

Actrice (Choupinette): Larisa Faber

Acteur (Botanicus) & Workshop Zang: Max Fischbach

Musici Herfst: Gémeaux Quartet: Arisa Fujita (viool), Viktor Stenhjem (viool), Sylvia Zucker (altviool), Matthijs Broersma (cello)

Musici Winter: Joint Venture Percussion Duo: Rachel Xi Huang, Laurent Warnier

Musici Lente: OPL Houtblazers Quartett: Samuel Bricault (fluit), Jean-Philippe Vivier (klarinet), Kerry Turner (hoorn), Antoine Berquet (fagot)

Musici Zomer: Arte Mandoline Baroque: Mari Fe Pavón (mandoline baroque), Juan-Carlos Muñoz (mandoline baroque), Manuel Muñoz (mandole baroque), Jean-Daniel Haro (viole de gambe, violone)

CARMENCITA

Carmencita

Photography © François Zuidberg

CREW

Idea, Concept, Text, Stage direction, Musical dramaturgy: Annechien Koerselman

Conductor: David Reiland

Set- & Costumedesign: Nina Ball

Lighdesign: Nina Ball, Annechien Koerselman & Frank Reinard

Organisation: Orchestra Philharmonique du Luxembourg

premiere May 15, 2015 Philharmonie Luxembourg

CAST

Actors & circusacts: Jeroen Engelsman et Leila Schaus

Violin: Letica Moreno

Orchestra: Orchestra Philharmonique du Luxembourg

CARNAVAL DES ANIMAUX
CHRISTMAS ENLIGHTENMENT

Christmaspassion

CREW

Text: Klaartje van Veldhoven

Stagedirection & concept Set- & Costumedesign: Annechien Koerselman

Costumedesign (2017): Vera Selhorst

Organisation: Klaartje van Veldhoven & Rembrandt Frerichs Trio, The Hague

premiere December 14, 2016, De Nieuwe Regentes The Hague

premiere December 17, 2017, Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden

CAST

Soprano, narrator: Klaartje van Veldhoven

Baritone, narrator: Sinan Vural

The Rembrandt Frerichs Trio: Rembrandt Frerichs (piano), Tony Overwater (violone), Vinsent Planjer (percussion)

Childrens choir Sailorschoir The Hague (u.t.l.o. Wouter Verhage), Choirschool Leiden (u.t.l.o. Rozemarijn Kalis), Projectchoir singing for kids Rotterdam (u.t.l.o. Jacqueline Jansen), Singing school Utrecht (u.t.l.o. Thea Bakker), Childrens choir Konstantijn (u.t.l.o. Eline Geerdink)

DE WOLKENLADDER
DES KAISERS NACHTIGALL
DIE PLANETEN

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Portfolio

THE LITTLE UGLY DUCK

So it is possible [...] making fascinating theater, suitable for both children and adults. The combination of acting, vocals, music and text in the little ugly duck - a loose adaptation of the story by Hans Andersen, conceived and directed by Annechien Koerselman -led to a strong and creative performance lasting 75 minutes which was really telling something.

Rein Swart

DIJKDRIFT

Very special is that all players are both beautifully singing, making music in a marvelous way and are acting stronly at the same time. An incredible achievement of stage director Annechien Koerselman and all performers. Dijkdrift is an extremely original opera production.

Scenes, Jos Schuring