Where and how do we find inspiration, do our job and keep on dancing and moving forward during the coronacrisis? Various dance artists and employees will give their take on that in the coming weeks. This week: pr- & communication officer Carolien Verduijn.
What is it you do at Dansateliers?
‘I am responsible for all pr and communication. I guide campaigns for touring productions, but am also involved with our in-house activities, such as our weekly movement classes, studio presentations and the annual One Night’s Dance. I try to look at our activities from the perspective of a visitor and approach the communication accordingly.’
What do you like about working at Dansateliers?
‘It is incredibly special to work in an organisation that offers space and time for experimentation, trial and error. I work with so many smart makers and colleagues who all have their own original ideas about how we can approach the practice of dance and society. I experience Dansateliers as a very inspiring working environment. I see it as a huge privilege to be taking care of the communication of all of our activities.’
What keeps you occupied during this coronacrisis?
‘Initially, I was busy with informing our audience about all the cancellations. After this, I had to find out how I could fulfill my role, because all the running activities and projects had been cancelled. How do you stay in touch with your audience? How do we still create connection, although we don’t have the possibility to invite people in our house? By now, I have found a new working rhythm. I have found some time to work on long-term projects, such as updating the website and analyzing the online statistics. We are also working on new projects, such as the online movement classes. And I am making plans and scenarios for next season. Outside of work, I read a lot and go for long walks, which I really enjoy because usually I don’t make time for that.’
Would you like to share a quarantine-art tip?
‘Yes! Recently I read ‘Anna’ by Annejet van der Zijl. This is the biography of the Dutch writer Annie M.G. Schmidt, and it was fascinating to read. Not only because of the powerful personality of Annie, but also because the book gives an insight in how our society developed during the twentieth century.’
