NDT Outside

Platform for creativity

NDT is a company consisting of passionate artists, dancers and choreographers. A platform for creative and interdisciplinary ideas that are crucial to the development of the company and, more broadly, to that of the art of dance. The dancers, choreographers and other creative colleagues at NDT often take part in a wide variety of artistic projects and activities with regard to talent development and education, outside of NDT’s programming such as choreographic projects, dance films, photography, visual arts projects, workshops, et cetera.

NDT proudly supports and presents these activities that dancers are involved in outside of the company’s context, collected on this page for you, our audience. Take a look and enjoy the creativity!

Jesse Callaert - Fase II Fase

Jesse Callaert

Jesse Callaert, dancer with NDT 2, got inspired to create his own podcast series called Fase II Fase. Intrigued by the idea of sitting down with friends, fellow artists and creators to have a heartfelt, deep conversations, Jesse built his own frame for the podcast. In the first episodes he for instance invited choreographer Yoann Bourgeois together with his partner Marie Bourgeois, and he talked with former NDT dancer Sebastian Kristensen Haynes.

‘Fase II Fase’, hosted by Jesse Callaert (Nederlands Dans Theater) is a series of ongoing interviews with artists across multiple disciplines and art forms. Peek into the minds of creators and performers transitioning from one phase to another and learn about the insecurities, challenges and realities behind their art and passion. 

In the upcoming weeks and months, more episodes will follow, so make sure to follow Jesse on for instance Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Find different platforms to listen to Jesse’s podcasts here. 

Photo: Mikaela Kelly.

Paxton Ricketts - Geister

Paxton Ricketts

NDT 1 dancer Paxton Ricketts was the choreographer of the dance film titled Geister , created in the summer of 2020 with dancer Sebastian Kristensen Haynes, who left the company at that same time.

“Geister is the result of a wonderful collaboration. I had the honour of choreographing on the stunning Sebastian Haynes. The film is directed and shot by Tom McKenzie. Together with Trio Vitruvi we worked to bring Beethoven’s music to life. The piece was shot in an abandoned castle in Denmark.
It was such a joy to work with Sebastian on this. He truly is a unique spirit in this world. The whole team was amazing, and we all worked hard to bring this piece to life. It became something more than I could have even dreamed.”

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Tess Voelker - Clouds Inside

Tess Voelker

The American Tess Voelker, dancer with NDT 1, was invited to choreograph for the dancers of Opéra national de Paris for the programme Chorégraphes contemporains. In this programme alongside choreographers Damien Jalet, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Mehdi Kerkouche, Tess presents her first piece called Clouds Inside. Congratulations with this achievement, Tess!

Performances were scheduled to take place from November 4 until November 28 2020 in the Palais Garnier in Paris, but were unfortunately cancelled due to the corona measures. Instead, a live stream of the performance was shown on Friday November 13, 2020.

Click here for more info on the website of Opéra national de Paris

Tess about her creation:
Just as seconds turn into minutes, we share an expectation to move forward along with them. Time beats to a steady rhythm while our own lives tend to beat to their own drum. Although every life sings it’s own melody, the way Nick Drake expresses his through lyrics of the “Cello Song” hints to something familiar. He explains feeling nostalgic to the naivety that comes with childhood..

“You have nothing to fear
For the dreams that came to you when so young
Told of a life
Where spring is sprung”

.. as well as passionate reflection that can come with maturing..

“In the cold of the night
When the armies of emotion
Go out to fight”

As humans, we can often be our own worst enemy. The irony is that we tend to blame time for this; by either having too much or not enough. When in the end, time simply acts as a pillar to life moving forward. To move on is to let go. Our lives can hold an array of melodies and those ticking seconds are simply its guiding metronome.

“Lend a hand and lift me
To your place in the cloud”

Luca-Andrea Tessarini - ELEMENTS

Luca-Andrea Lino Tessarini

Luca-Andrea Tessarini, dancer at NDT 1, created his work ELEMENTS at the Origen Festival Cultural in Switzerland in July 2020. In his ballet, the dancers – besides Luca his fellow NDT dancers Jon Bond, César Faria Fernandes, Prince Credell and former NDT dancer Thiago Bordin – transform themselves into the natural elements.

Luca: “ELEMENTS deals with elemental forces and mythical beings. It is created based on the personalities, characteristics and signatures of each performer. It constructs an own understanding in opposites and forms. A platform in reality and ethereal imagination. If ELEMENTS is one way for me to create just the tiniest bit of awareness to my surroundings, then that’s all I want to do.”

The Dutch premiere of ELEMENTS was planned to take place on Sunday 1 November, but unfortunately was postponed due to new corona measures. A new date will be planned soon.

More info.

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Mikaela Kelly & Jesse Callaert - Winter Workshop

NDT 2 dancers Jesse Callaert and Mikaela Kelly organised a Winter Workshop in Antwerp for pre-professional dancers aged 15 and up. Unfortunatelty, due to the measurements to combat covid-19, the Winter Workshop was cancelled. Hopefully, the workshop – consisting of daily classes in ballet, improvisation and NDT repertoire – will take place another moment in the Royal Balletschool of Antwerp.

Follow this creative duo on their Instagram account @fase_II.

Photo: Sacha Grootjans