Capturing “TIERGARTEN” for Theater Babel

The musical performance ‘TIERGARTEN’ by Theater Babel reflects on the WWII mass murder of psychiatric patients in Nazi Germany. Actors with and without disabilities bring a unique perspective to this dark history—‘not about us, without us’*—blending theater and live music by DoelenEnsemble.

A powerful story of exclusion and resilience, premiering May 10 in Rotterdam. Proud to have shot the campaign for this important production.

 

Capturing Community: The ‘Friend of the Neighborhood’ Exhibit

The “Friend of the Neighborhood” exhibition marks the culmination of a two-year community project by Podium Islemunda and Dalton Rotterdam Palmentuin students. Through theater, dance, and photography, young and old in IJsselmonde came together, sharing stories, meals, and meaningful connections.

Featured here are two of the fifteen portraits on display, starring Jero and Emmy. The full exhibition can be visited at Podium Islemunda in Rotterdam every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 PM until July 16.

Behind the Scenes: A London Collaboration

Last November, while in London for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize exhibition (where my work was featured), I created a new series during an electrifying collaboration with fashion designer Robert George Sanders and makeup artist Petros Kourtellaris.

We shot in Robert’s Seven Sisters home, a space that quickly transformed into a makeshift studio. By day’s end, it was buried under tinsel and glitter, buzzing with the energy of underground creatives.

A big thanks to filmmaker Alain Tjiong, who captured the chaos and magic behind the scenes. I’m thrilled to finally share this film with you.

 

CREDITS

TIERGARTEN: Hair/makeup: Ed Tijsen | Costumes: Mikki Passenier | Starring: Johan Boekhout, Belinda Thijssen, Milton Oliviera Soares, Yazan Alhamoud, Maryam Sirani, Aurea Ferreira, Victoria Ochoa Urrea, Sharoma Dhoen, and Ali Özdemir. | Script and direction: Erik-Ward Geerlings | Client: Theater Babel
Islemunda: Hair/makeup: Ed Tijsen | Assistant: Annika Poutsma | Starring: Jero & Emmy | Client: Podium Islemunda
London: Fashion: Robert George Sanders | Makeup: Petros Kourtellaris | Film: Alain Tjiong | Starring: Julie Verhoeven, John Foley, Sam Shahiri, Pedro Paiva, Josh Woolford, Josh Quinton, and Princess Julia.