Do Dance | A Fusion of Theater and Movement
Artistic Direction: Moos d’Herripon
Do Dance is a contemporary dance-theater company led by Moos d’Herripon. Our work exists at the vibrant intersection of multiple disciplines, seamlessly blending dance, mime, drama, film, and music.
At the heart of every production is a commitment to individuality and authenticity. Our performers come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, united by a philosophy where movement is the primary language.
A Mirror to SocietyThe productions of Do Dance are never static; they react to and anticipate the world around us. We tackle the pressing themes of our time, including:
Moos d’Herripon’s vision is one of productive disruption. By responding to social developments, she aims to provoke, unsettle, and move the audience in unexpected ways. In a Do Dance performance, the audience’s experience is the focal point.
Artistic Signature
The theatrical language of d’Herripon is characterized by humor and relativity. She possesses a unique ability to weave together movement, music, and text into a cohesive, evocative whole.
- Current Collaborations: Working closely with musician Kees Wieringa and renowned comedian Vincent Bijlo for our latest production, NoBody.
- Notable Past Partnerships: Collaboration with composer Jakob ter Veldhuis for Atlas, a production centered on the cultural phenomenon of Jerry Springer-style television.
Do Dance thrives on co-production, frequently partnering with prestigious venues and festivals such as De Balie, Springdance, Frascati, and various national theaters.
Practising Suma (2007)
Practising Suma is a dance and music ritual centered on the dialogue between different cultures. The performance features two tap dancers, a classically trained dancer, and an Indian musical ensemble with tabla and castanets.
The stage design is minimalist, consisting of three wooden platforms: one for the Indian musicians, one for the tap dancers, and one for the classical dancer. For this production, Kees Wieringa collaborated with Indian musicians to create a new composition based on traditional Indian ragas, in which the rhythmic heartbeat of the tabla plays a central role.
De Vooruitgang (Progress)
Music Theater in the Polder | 2007
For the Mijzenfestival, theater maker Moos d’Herripon and musician Kees Wieringa have collaborated on a new music theater production titled De Vooruitgang (Progress).
This site-specific performance is deeply rooted in the local community of the Mijzer Polder. The script is not a fictional creation, but a mosaic of authentic voices; the texts are based entirely on stories and personal interviews conducted with the local residents.
By weaving these local narratives into a musical and theatrical framework, De Vooruitgang offers an intimate reflection on life, history, and change within the polder landscape.
Artistic Team:
Location: Mijzer Polder (Mijzenfestival)
Direction & Concept: Moos d’Herripon
Composition & Music: Kees Wieringa
NoBody (2007)
NoBody speelt vanaf oktober 2007 en is geschikt voor iedereen vanaf 13 jaar. Het is een dansvoorstelling met een valide en invalide danser, op tekst van Vincent Bijlo. De productie is in handen van Productiehuis TOPP. Idee en choreografie: Moos d’Herripon.
Lastige Lijven (2005)(Stubborn Bodies)
Does love at first sight exist if you are blind? Can you “keep your eyes peeled” if you cannot see? How do you “walk” when you use a wheelchair?
Theater and performance possess a unique power to dismantle prejudice and connect people, regardless of their physical differences. Lastige Lijven (Stubborn Bodies) was created to bring young people—both with and without disabilities—together through the playful, transformative medium of dance-theater.
About the Performance
The production features twelve performers who place the human body at the center of the stage. The performance explores the tension between what a body can do and what a person wants it to do.
Through movement and play, Lastige Lijven bridges the gap between diverse lived experiences, proving that while our bodies may be “stubborn,” our ability to connect is limitless.
Archive Details
De Vooruitgang (Progress)
Music Theater in the Polder | 2007
For the Mijzenfestival, theater maker Moos d’Herripon and musician Kees Wieringa have collaborated on a new music theater production titled De Vooruitgang (Progress).
This site-specific performance is deeply rooted in the local community of the Mijzer Polder. The script is not a fictional creation, but a mosaic of authentic voices; the texts are based entirely on stories and personal interviews conducted with the local residents.
By weaving these local narratives into a musical and theatrical framework, De Vooruitgang offers an intimate reflection on life, history, and change within the polder landscape.
Artistic Team:
Location: Mijzer Polder (Mijzenfestival)
Direction & Concept: Moos d’Herripon
Composition & Music: Kees Wieringa
Losbijten (Unleashed)
At Losbijten, we approach tap dance through the lens of theatrical performance. Our creative process is defined by three pillars: clinching, severing, and shedding. Each performance is a musical evolution where complex rhythm patterns and grooves collide. The result is a dynamic experience that shifts seamlessly between intimate sensuality and explosive energy.
We are defined by our constant quest for innovation. By integrating mathematical precision, mime, and rigorous training techniques, we redefine the possibilities of sound and movement. We don’t just dance; we re-engineer the art of tap.
Vluchten
Theater and performance possess a unique power to dismantle prejudice and connect people, regardless of their physical differences. Lastige Lijven (Stubborn Bodies) was created to bring young people—both with and without disabilities—together through the playful, transformative medium of dance-theater.
About the Performanc
Atlas
A dance performance exploring the profound meaning of flight and the constant tug-of-war between adapting to a new world and holding onto one’s roots.
The score, composed specifically for this piece by Jacob ter Veldhuis, mirrors the sharp contrasts of the choreography. The music is built from a soundscape of sampled television fragments—ranging from CNN Gulf War reports to the chaotic talk shows of Jerry Springer.
In Atlas, choreographer Moos d’Herripon strikes a balance between the resolute and the tender, the harsh and the absurd. She collaborates with Ter Veldhuis and acclaimed poet Jana Beranová—well known for her translations of Milan Kundera—who joins the production as dramaturg.
Chopin Sonate (1998)
A performance balancing Sound and Image, Language and Sign. It is a quest for equilibrium between mind and heart, spirit and body. Chopin’s piano sonate takes shape through pure movement. An unparalleled musical document exploring the essence of existence, the Sonate becomes visible and tangible through choreography.
C in Klein C-in-Klein_klain
1996 Within her body of work, music, acting, and dance converge. She explores the dialogue between the abstract and the literal, weaving character-driven action into the fabric of movement. Each piece is an invitation to the audience—a search for that precise moment of passion where the dancer, the stage, and the observer become one.
About the Performance
Archive
Kazan the Wolf Dog
1996
Kazan the Wolf Dog is a captivating performance designed for audiences aged 6 and up.
The story is inspired by the timeless literature of American author James Oliver Curwood, written at the turn of the 20th century. Set against a backdrop of “savage beauty,” the narrative follows Kazan—a creature torn between the wild instincts of a wolf and the loyal heart of a dog.
At the center of this production is the profound bond between Kazan and a young girl. Their friendship is so deep and primal that the lines between them blur: is she a girl, or has she become part of the pack? This delicate balance is shattered the day she is uprooted from the natural world and forced to navigate the complexities of human civilization.