about AYA

Danstheater AYA creates distinctive and accessible dance theatre for a young audience. Direct and honest performances that don't shy away from taboo topics. Shows with an exciting mix of contemporary dance styles, acting, singing, and live music from various (youth) cultures. Dance theatre that captivates and doesn't let go, with plenty of humor.

Dance is a language that reaches people directly. AYA offers young people and children the opportunity to let dance play an important role in their lives, with performances that dare to push boundaries. The dancers and performers of AYA use their personalities to touch and captivate the audience. They are both strong and vulnerable at the same time.

Danstheater AYA is one of the performing arts companies for young audiences in the BIS (Basic Infrastructure) and, as of March 2024, is being led by a new management team, with Ryan Djojokarso as artistic director and Nicole Rust as business director. They will work on a new program during the upcoming years, featuring performances that resonate, are socially relevant, and sometimes even activist in nature. Performances that call on our young audiences to reflect on topics that concern them or with which they struggle. Dance theatre and live music are fantastic art forms for this, as they can connect on an emotional level in a very direct way. Themes like cultural identity, future visions, racism, displacement, gender, friendship, and peer pressure can be addressed in a different way.

AYA focuses primarily on performances for teenagers. Young people aged 12 and older, from all educational levels. Additionally, performances for younger age groups, from 8 or 10 years old, are regularly created. AYA performs in theatres, at schools ranging from vmbo to havo/vwo, and at various locations, both regionally, nationally, and internationally.

AYA was founded in 1990 by artistic director and choreographer Wies Bloemen, initially as a dance company for adults. From the moment AYA gained national and international success with Bronsttijd (1996) – a youth performance about sexuality and falling in love – AYA specifically focused on a young audience. Wonder, curiosity, and social engagement have always been at the heart of the work. Bloemen created over fifty performances for young audiences during her long career.

AYA has ANBI status. Donations can be deducted from income tax. For more information, please contact business director Nicole Rust at nicole@aya.nl.