What is the best thing that I love about my work?
The arts are a reflection of life itself. Dare I even say that life is a reflection of the arts. From my point of view the entire world is one huge creation. Every single moment things, people, experiences are created. Everywhere around the world. The play of change. The more you connect to this truth as an artist the more your work reflects this beauty.
Beauty arises from truth.
What is my idea of happiness?
Not being happy. But being everything. Which means allowing everything to unfold the way it should and trusting the process of creation. Instead of pushing against I’d say it’s more like bending with whatever wants to manifest. And witnessing this marvelous show!
What is my greatest fear?
Hurting other people in general. Because I know what it’s like to be hurt. When you pay attention and listen to everyone around you, you’ll laugh intensely but also feel hurt easily.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I guess every strength has its weakness depending on the situation. And vise versa. But I struggle the most with self destructive behavior. Because of my fear of hurting other people, I’d rather hurt myself and implode. Which is obviously not a healthy coping mechanism.
Which living person in my profession do I most admire?
Johnny Depp without a doubt. There’s something about his acting that is so extremely wholesome. I’ve never seen an actor transform this much in every single performance. It’s like he accepts all the possible personalities on this earth. Which comes close to the truth of ‘we are everything and everything is in us’. That to me is beauty. That to me is truth.
What is my greatest extravagance?
Creating time to daydream. Never enough.
Photo Credits: Adelaide Ouwerkerk
On what occasion would I lie?
Obviously to protect someone else or myself from immediate danger. Or even something small to protect one’s feelings. Sometimes a little lie can create a healthy belief and create beautiful futures. Just allow your gut feeling and moral compass to guide you in what’s right of wrong. You’ll know.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The instability. Which is also a birthplace for freedom, independence and flexibility. But no regularity or security whatsoever can cause anxiety too. When you’ve lost faith it’s easy to lose yourself in doom scenarios. For example I plan ahead the least amount possible. Sometimes the anxiety gets to me by saying: “Shouldn’t you be prepared for when … this … or … this … or … this … happens?!”
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
When I open myself up for other artists, or even the public. Especially when there is this magical flow going on. Of playing, searching, feeling and trying to touch the essence of our existence. That’s what I love about it the most. The magic of art being created and feeling it comes out of a place without resistance, but seeing everything come together almost in and of itself. Naturally, not every process flows this smoothly, but when it does it feels magical.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
Not a question I think about a lot, because I am very fond of accepting and loving things as they are. So initially nothing at all. But that’s obviously a boring answer. So let’s say I’d make my acne disappear forever.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
The play La Danse Apache. It’s a dialogue between two vulnerable people who are worn down by scars and lost faith in life and in themselves, because of this they struggle to connect with each other. But there is always – in everybody – the same longing for connection, love, faith and acceptance. Maybe even more so in the people who act like they’re better off without.
Where would I most like to live?
I am a true nomad; I can feel at home anywhere. So the goal is to buy myself a camper and travel around. Enjoy being. Where the wind will take me.
What is my most treasured possession?
My mind.
What is my most marked characteristic?
People describe me as sovereign. Which means as much as being independent and autonomous with a strong sense of integrity.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
The most inspirational location I know is the National Park: Loonse en Drunense Duinen. A 20 minute drive by car and 45 min bike ride from Tilburg city center. It’s sooo wide and still. Whenever the weather is ok and I need inspiration I’ll go there and daydream while walking. Nature is so untouched, it feels like you’re walking around in some other world.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city?
Locals! If you like coffee, that’s the place to go in Tilburg! They roast their own coffee!
What books influenced my life and how?
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle definitely shaped my perception of the world. As well as all the books of Alan Watts and Rupert Spira. They investigate the self. Which is an activity that’s never finished, because it changes constantly. Except for that which never changes. That’s the catch. It helped me with feelings of emptiness, shallowness and dealing with times of pain. To me it was wholesome and gave my existence depth.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?
Starting out with the Jazz Classics, because for me it’s the most playful form of music. Free from rules, concepts and “how it’s supposed to be”. Hopefully it would be possible for me to sing and dance, even slightly. And at the end Hymns of Spirit. In order to make the experience of transformation as peaceful as possible.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Jane Eyre, because she battles societal limitations without losing her romantic sensibilities. She has psychological depth and an unbeatable desire to stay true to herself. She’s on a mission to unveil hypocrisy. Intelligent, strong, passionate, straightforward and honest.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
My mother, for always taking care of me in the most loving and accepting way possible. Despite her own hard childhood she made a conscious decision to change her narrative and take control over her life’s path. Because of her strength to raise me with the utmost care I’ve turned out as a human being that feels loved. And I am blessed with a personality based on safety and trust. I am who I am mostly because of her.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?
Can’t decide. So you can decide for yourself. La La Land (2016), Soul (2020), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). To make it even more complicated they are competing with the TV series Genius (2017). To me they all make great pieces of art because of the accepting and loving nature of its portail.
What role play stories in my life and work?
It’s at the heart of everything really. That’s what our brain does. It creates stories. Even a five year old does it! And the more changes happen in the story, the more different vibes, the more complex characters, the higher the quality of the story. It’s really about showing all the possible contradictions. Because guess what? That’s life. It changes continually. That’s the essence of our experience. Change. That’s the one thing we all have in common. We all are experiencing and it all changes from moment to moment. It NEVER stays the same. When it feels bad it’ll pass. When it feels good it’ll pass. That’s it. That’s the deal.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me?
Because your experience will change from moment to moment anyway, you’d rather make choices that are aligned with your desire. We all – no one excluded – “make mistakes and fail” from time to time. And so… Because you’ll definitely be “failing” at what you don’t want, you might as well take a chance on doing what you love!
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
I strongly believe in surrounding yourself with the right people. They say you are the average of the five people you interact with the most. You see how important those people are? Every plant has their own requirements in order to grow… and so do people. When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower. My requirements have been given to me by Annelies, Britt, Lotte, Bram, Marit, Eline, Anne, Lucas, Rozemarijn, Paul, a lot of other very important people and most of all my parents Rin & Luciënne. So grateful. Each and every one of them is my sponsor and partner in crime. And I am theirs!
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022?
My greatest dream of all is to work with International Theater Amsterdam, specifically with Ivo van Hove. I imagine it to be exactly the way I long to work on a play. I feel in my gut I would fit, but the universe is going to decide if it’ll happen – it’s not up to me.
What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on?
I recently started to develop my skills as a singer and I am hooked. This summer I’ll be performing a street theater act All That Jazz. Very much looking forward to this extra discipline being manifested! What a challenge! And just a head’s up: there will be moments of failing, you know? But I will keep on trying, so there will be moments of success too! Just keep on going. You’ll see.
Where can you see me or my work in 2022?
Every street theater performance I am a part of. But I never know where we will be performing only a few days ahead. Because the compositions of performers change rapidly. So I guess by accident?! Also, I am coaching and directing a few plays. De Binnenkomst (Magné vd Berg) in april and De Les (Eugène Ionesco) in july both @ Meisner Toneelacademie ‘s-Hertogenbosch. And who knows what else will come up 🙂
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
I like what I do. Honestly, I would keep on doing it for free. But don’t let anybody know, because I wouldn’t be able to pay the rent and keep on doing what I do. So husssssshhhhh… I imagine myself doing this until I physically or mentally can’t do it anymore. But this is it. I don’t see myself do anything else really.
Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Ksenia Marasanova https://www.facebook.com/actriceksenia
Bram Ven https://www.facebook.com/bramvenbv
Rozemarijn vd Kaaij https://www.facebook.com/rozemarijn.vanderkaaij
How can you contact me?
Feel free!
06-51360721
The Heroine's Journey 