January 20, 2025

The tour of our family production De Notenkraker will continue for a few more weeks, but we can already conclude that it’s been a great success. With 15,000 tickets sold, sold-out venues until the very end, and many enthusiastic responses from the audience. The success of this production is no coincidence, but the result of a vision and mission that the company has pursued since its founding in 1971: making dance accessible to a wide audience. Artistic director Roel Voorintholt reflects on an impressive journey where youth has always played a central role, while also looking ahead.

The First Steps: Dance for a Young Audience
“From the very beginning, Introdans has focused a great deal on young audiences,” says Roel. “In the early years, we worked on special projects inspired by the idea that dance is truly for everyone. When I joined Introdans as a dancer in 1982, I saw the opportunity to give children and young people a stage of their own. This led to the founding of Introdans Educatief in 1989, later known as Introdans Ensemble for Youth. That project was truly my baby.”

The choices were ambitious and deliberate right from the start. Renowned names like Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián, and Nils Christe created work specifically for children and young audiences. “We took the audience seriously and offered them full-fledged dance productions. Not simplified versions, but high-quality choreographies that challenged, inspired, and excited them about dance.”

A New Direction: Classical Ballets with a Modern Twist
Although Introdans had been successful for years with smaller youth productions, Roel began to feel the desire to create something bigger. “I wanted to introduce young people to classical ballets, but in a fresh, contemporary form. This led to large-scale productions for the whole family: well-known classics with a modern twist, such as Carmen (in 2022), Swan Lake (in 2023), and now De Notenkraker.”

The large family productions Introdans presents during the winter months now draw packed audiences. “This is no coincidence,” explains Roel. “It’s the result of years of investing in young audiences. We started small, with venues seating 150 people. By the 1990s, we moved to larger theaters, attracting hundreds per show. Now, we present these family productions for all ages in the major theater venues, where we see a mix of loyal fans and new audiences. Many people are eager to see how we reimagine classical stories with familiar music.” This has resulted in sold-out performances across the country.

Reflection and Looking Ahead
The merger of the youth ensemble with the main Introdans ensemble in 2022 was an emotional moment for Roel. “It felt like saying goodbye to my own personal project, my baby. But I knew it was necessary to create space for something new. The family productions are a wonderful continuation, and their success brings me great satisfaction.”

But Roel is far from standing still. “I’m already working on ideas for a new family production in 2028, following the same concept: famous classics in contemporary designs. Carmen, Swan Lake, and De Notenkraker will remain part of our repertoire for now, but I want to keep innovating.

My mission remains to engage new generations with dance and give young audiences an experience they’ll never forget.”

A Legacy of Passion and Dedication
The success of De Notenkraker and the other family productions demonstrates that Introdans has secured an undeniable place in the Dutch dance world. It’s an inspiring example of how vision, perseverance, and quality can resonate across generations. As Roel aptly puts it: “Everything we do today is built on the foundations we laid years ago. And as long as we continue to innovate, that legacy will keep growing.”