Nederlands Dans Theater

From its home base in The Hague, NDT is a driving force in contemporary dance, in the Netherlands and around the world.

Discover who we are, what we stand for, and what inspires us. Get to know our two companies, the people behind NDT, and how we work. Learn more about our values, our role in society, and the opportunities to become part of NDT.

A female dancer in front of large projection screen with a yellow flower on it.

Our story

Founded in 1959 and based in The Hague, Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) is one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies. Research, creation, innovation, and talent development lie at the heart of everything we do.

As a house of creation, we bring together a wide range of dance artists and use dance as a language to connect and inspire people. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience how dance can move us, bring joy, and help us explore and better understand the world around us.

NDT is led by Artistic Director Emily Molnar and Managing Director Marc Pil. Through our two companies, NDT 1 and NDT 2, we continue to push artistic boundaries by working with both emerging and internationally renowned choreographers and artists. While honouring our rich history, we also help shape the future of contemporary dance and connect with audiences in the Netherlands and around the world.

Every year, around 220,000 people engage with NDT through performances on stage and online, education programmes for 60,000 children and young people, and digital platforms that extend our reach far beyond the theatre.

Since its founding in 1959, the company has built a rich repertoire, consisting of more than 620 works by esteemed choreographers as Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Crystal Pite, Marco Goecke, Johan Inger, Ohad Naharin, Alexander Ekman, Gabriela Carrizo, Sol León & Paul Lightfoot, Hofesh Shechter, Christos Papadopoulos, Jan Martens, Edward Clug, Sharon Eyal & Gai Behar, and many others.

Artistic Director

Since 2020, NDT has been led by Artistic Director Emily Molnar, who has brought a renewed creative energy to the company. Under her direction, over 30 new artistic voices have become part of NDT, leading to innovative works and meaningful collaborations. These include Figures in Extinction by associate choreographer Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney/Complicité, as well as the renewed version of Into the Hairy with S-E-D. In season 2025–2026, Molnar further expanded NDT’s group of associate  choreographers. Alongside Marco Goecke and Crystal Pite, Marcos Morau, Jermaine Spivey, and Imre van Opstal & Marne van Opstal also joined the company.

Molnar also introduced the Dancer Pathway and Maker Pathway , which provide opportunities for dancers and emerging, mid-career, and established makers to expand their practice and contribute to the arts sector. Supporting talent development, research, training, and creation at every career stage.

The atmosphere is intense and expressive; Maša Anić touches her ears, the group radiates focus and unity.

Two companies

NDT consists of two companies: NDT 1 and NDT 2. While both share the same artistic vision, each company has its own energy and distinct artistic voice.

NDT 1

NDT 1 is made up of extraordinary dancers aged 24 and over who are at the height of their professional careers. The world-famous company collaborates with internationally renowned choreographers and artists, often presenting larger-scale productions and ambitious performances.

On stage, you experience not only exceptional dancers, but also how choreographic ideas evolve, deepen, and reach their fullest expression. As a house of creation, NDT 1 develops three diverse programmes each season, featuring more than ten works, including world premieres and revivals, before touring extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the United States, South America, and/or Australia.

Meet the NDT 1-dancers

NDT 2

NDT 2 was founded in 1978 by Jiří Kylián as a springboard for young talent and, over the years, has evolved into a professional company in its own right. NDT 2 focuses on exceptionally talented dancers aged 19 to 23 who are at the beginning of their professional careers.

The company creates space for experimentation, artistic development, and both emerging and established choreographic voices. Watching NDT 2 perform means experiencing the energy of dancers who are growing, discovering, and challenging themselves.

Each season, NDT 2 develops and presents two programmes featuring more than six works, including world premieres and revived repertoire, and tours throughout the Netherlands and internationally.

Meet the NDT 2-dancers

Talent Development & Education

As a leading dance company, we see it as our responsibility to share the power and joy of dance with the people and communities around us. We're also driven to support the future of dance and contribute to the continued development of the art form. We organise a series of the education-, participation-, and talent development programmes to support this mission.

Our education programmes mainly focus on primary schools, for example through projects such as Dancer in the Classroom and dance apps. For secondary schools, we offer tailored educational programmes developed in close collaboration with teachers and schools. We also organise workshops and projects for children and youngsters living in asylum seeker centers, creating space for connection, creativity, and confidence.

Audience engagement is at the heart of NDT. We connect people with dance through performances, but also through workshops, movement classes, talks, community events and digital experiences that invite curiosity, reflection and dialogue. Our goal is to make contemporary dance accessible to diverse audiences and create meaningful connections that extend beyond the theatre.

Our talent development programmes support dancers and makers from amateur to (pre-)professional level. These include projects such as the NDT Summer Intensive and the Maker Pathway.