On Wednesday afternoon, 25 November, Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) is organising a special alumni event: a behind-the-scenes visit at Scapino, Netherlands’ oldest dance company based in Rotterdam.
We start the afternoon with a brief introduction by ESHCC alumni Lotte van den Bergh (Master Cultural Economics & Entrepreneurship, 2022) and Eveline Tavares Lopes (IBCoM, 2024). They will tell us more about their roles within the company’s marketing and development department.
Next we will get an exclusive insight into how Scapino’s productions come to life and the people involved during a special guided tour around the premises. Rather than admiring the finished product on stage, we get to see the people, the decisions, the materials, the rehearsals and the stories that lead up to a production.
The tour takes us to:
- The Scapino archive, where Scapino’s history is brought to life through archive material, anecdotes and interesting facts.
- The Scapino costume department, where the craft and artistry behind the costumes and visual design are explained.
- The Scapino dance studios, where visitors can experience first-hand how dancers prepare for a new dance piece under the guidance of ballet masters.
We conclude the afternoon with an in-depth discussion with Scapino’s Artistic Director about its new production, Antidote, which is currently in preparation. We will reflect on the themes of the production and the significance of technology for mental health. During the drinks at NRC, Scapino’s downstairs neighbours, there will be plenty of opportunity to connect and have a chat with each other.
Programme
| 15:45-16:00hr | Walk-in |
| 16:00-16:15hr | Welcome & introduction by Lotte van den Bergh (Private Donor Officer) and Eveline Tavares Lopes (Campaign & CRM Marketeer) |
| 16:15-17:00hr | Guided tour Scapino (archive & costume department) |
| 17:00-17:30hr | Attend a dance rehearsal for Scapino’s new production Antidote |
| 17:30-18:00hr | Aftertalk about Antidote with Nanine Linning (Artistic Director) |
| 18:00hr | Networking drinks at NRC |
Tickets
Tickets are €5 per person*. This includes the guided tour at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam and two drinks at NRC.
Registration
Are you a former student of ESHCC and would you like to attend the special alumni event at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam? We have reserved 30 tickets, so don’t miss out! Register here.
* Please note that all ticket sales are final and tickets are non-refundable. We appreciate your understanding.
- More information
Behind the scenes
The alumni event at Scapino is the sixth event in a series of 'behind-the-scenes' visits that the faculty has organised since 2023. As faculty, we see our alumni ending up in interesting and inspiring (work)places in society. With the "Behind the scenes" series, we want to open up these workplaces to fellow alumni to show where other alumni end up, to give a unique insight into the ins and outs of an organisation, and to bring ESHCC alumni together.Scapino Ballet Rotterdam
Scapino is the oldest professional dance company in the Netherlands. Founded in 1945 with a special mission: to bring colour, imagination and hope back to a world scarred by war. More than eighty years later, this belief in the transformative power of dance and art remains at the heart of everything they do.Under the artistic direction of Nanine Linning, Scapino develops bold, interdisciplinary productions that combine artistic innovation with pressing social issues. In doing so, dance enters into a dialogue with music, fashion, visual arts, science, digital media and interactive technology. With its large-scale productions, the company tours leading theatres and festivals across Europe, thereby strengthening its international position.
Antidote
In January 2027, Scapino presents Antidote: an energetic evening of dance featuring three performances by a new generation of artists, each offering their own unique perspective on today’s world. At a time when we are increasingly connected to one another via screens, Antidote explores what genuine human contact means to us and how the digital world influences the way we live, feel and interact with one another. With a blend of humour, raw energy and absurdity, the creators take you on a journey through surprising stories that will make you laugh, move you and encourage you to look at yourself and the people around you in a different light.
