Nieuw tv-programma volgt Introdanser Mark van Drunick

September 24, 2026

The new TV series Podium Dans Backstage sheds light on the lives of professional dancers: dance as an elite sport. Each episode captures a day in the life of a dancer working at one of the major dance companies in the Netherlands. The series starts on 30 September 2026, and the episode featuring Introdans dancer Mark van Drunick airs on 21 October 2026 at 15:15 on NPO 2.

Podium Dans Backstage was made by Beat the Dutch, which previously produced the series Podium Dans. Over the past years, that programme interviewed many national and international choreographers and directors, including Introdans artistic director Roel Voorintholt. Last year the hundredth episode was broadcast, after which the makers felt it was time for a new concept. The result is Podium Dans Backstage, which this time puts the dancer centre stage. The series follows five professional dancers from their morning class and rehearsals in the studio to backstage and the performance in the theatre: an intimate look at the lives of young artists who perform at the level of top athletes every day.

From Zevenaar to the big stage
Mark van Drunick (born 1999, Zevenaar) was practically raised on dance. He more or less grew up in a dance school, inspired by his parents, both former dancers and owners of the DansPodium dance school in Zevenaar. “They never forced me to dance,” Mark says. “I tried gymnastics, football and piano, but nothing gave me the happiness I feel in the dance studio.” Mark started breakdancing at the age of five, soon followed by ballet, modern dance and urban. “That burning desire to move kept growing, so I decided to study dance.”

Mark chose to study at ArtEZ Academy of Theatre & Dance in Arnhem. He did his internship with Introdans in the 2020/21 season and joined the company after graduating. “I’ve been going to Introdans performances for as long as I can remember. The diverse repertoire, with some of the best choreographies in the world, really appeals to me.” In 2025, Mark received the Encouragement Award from Stichting Dansersfonds ’79 at the Balletgala 2025, in part for his powerful performance in Typhoon by choreographer Krisztina de Châtel. The jury praised his courage, dedication and versatility, and saw in him a dancer who has grown noticeably in a short time.

Alongside his work at Introdans, Mark is very involved in dance improvisation. On Instagram he shares his own dance videos, which now reach more than 187,000 followers. He also teaches workshops in which he encourages dancers to discover their creativity and develop their own style of movement.

For Mark, dance is the ultimate form of freedom. “Dance lets you express things that can’t be put into words.” On stage he can be completely himself, without filters. He sees the theatre as a place where a new world comes into being, a world of fantasy where you can escape reality for a while.

The broadcast
Podium Dans Backstage starts on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The episode about Mark van Drunick airs on NPO 2 on Monday 21 October 2026 at 15:15. The other dancers featured are Scott Fowler of Nederlands Dans Theater, Jozefien Debaillie of Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Manu Kumar of Het Nationale Ballet and Patrick Kariowidjojo of ISH Dance Collective.