About us

BonteHond is the only professional youth theater company in Flevoland and is based in Almere. The company produces theatrical performances, educational productions for schools, and unique on-location projects, ranging from Almere neighborhoods to international venues. Everything is created for and in connection with children aged 2 to 16, from preschoolers to vocational school students, Dutch-speaking or not, with or without disabilities, whether in work clothes or headscarves, in extraordinary or ordinary schools. BonteHond’s audiences include adults with diverse backgrounds, training, age, health, gender, socio-economic status, and emotional well-being, spanning the full spectrum of privilege (inspired by Joris Luyendijk).

BonteHond’s work aims to broaden perspectives. It gives children an open view of everything happening in, around, and beyond their lives. It shows them what they don’t yet know, what they’d rather not know, what they ought to know, and what their parents prefer they not know. While BonteHond may not have all the answers, it offers children a fresh perspective, stimulating their imagination and fostering independence.

The often challenging living conditions and language barriers faced by many of Flevoland’s young potential audience—not typically traditional theatergoers—heavily influence BonteHond’s methods and thematic choices. Since its founding, BonteHond has worked proudly and passionately within this reality. This means dedicating time and effort to helping children (and the adults around them) discover theater. BonteHond places significant emphasis on exploration, explanation, outreach, and retention, aiming to integrate art and culture into Flevoland’s cultural landscape as a lasting element.

BonteHond has ANBI status, meaning it is registered with the Dutch Tax Administration as a Public Benefit Organization (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling). For more information, visit www.daargeefjeom.nl/wat-is-een-anbi/.

ANBI Details
Name: Stichting Theater- en Productiehuis Almere
Invoice details:
Stichting Theater- en Productiehuis Almere
Attn: BonteHond
Stadhuisplein 2
1315 HT Almere
VAT Number: NL 8146.69.438.B01
Chamber of Commerce Number: 39090637
IBAN: NL87 INGB 0000 7418 62
BIC: INGBNL2A
Fiscal Number/RSIN: 8146.69.438.B01

Objectives

1. Creating high-quality performances for children and adults.
2. Providing opportunities for emerging theater makers to develop professionally.
3. Strengthening Almere’s cultural identity.

Related Documents
Our activity plan for 2021-2024 (in Dutch)
Our activity plan for 2025-2028 (in Dutch)

Annual report 2019 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2020 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2021 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2022 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2023 (in Dutch)

ANBI Standard Form Publication Duty 2021 (in Dutch)
ANBI Standard Form Publication Duty 2022 (in Dutch)
ANBI STandard Form Publication Duty 2023 (in Dutch)

Donations/Life Annuities:
Would you like to support us with a one-time or periodic donation? Donations to a Public Benefit Organization (ANBI) are tax-deductible for income or corporate tax purposes. Click here for more information.

BonteHond adheres to the Cultural Governance Code and applies the CAO Toneel en Dans (Collective Labor Agreement for Theater and Dance).

BonteHond was founded on August 1, 2005, as a theater and production house in Almere, supported by funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, the Province of Flevoland, and the Municipality of Almere. Under the artistic leadership of director Noël Fischer, the organization created youth theater productions for various ages, including Mijn vader is een indiaan (8+), PEER (4+), Liggen op je Rug (5+), Spoonface (10+), Watou (4+), Koolzaad (9+), Harig Hondje (2+), and Opstand van de nerds (9+). Fischer also developed installations like Het gebreide Huis (HOME) and De Knuffelautomatiek. As a production house, BonteHond offered opportunities for emerging theater makers (directors, actors, writers) to further develop their craft and create full-fledged youth theater productions.

In August 2012, BonteHond transitioned from a production house to a youth theater company. In November 2012, René Geerlings succeeded Noël Fischer as artistic leader, following her move to NTJong in The Hague. Geerlings became known for his remarkable and accessible youth theater productions, blending humor with serious topics and flipping conventional logic. His first BonteHond production, ASO (2014), was well-received by audiences and critics alike. His third production, AaiPet, won a Silver Cricket award in 2015. Other notable works include LEUK for De Parade (2016), KLUCHT (with Job Raaijmakers), and Know Me (2015), which toured again in 2016-2017. AaiPet also toured internationally, visiting Turkey, India, Poland, and Israel. His musical festival performance IK was a hit during the 2018 summer theater festivals.

In 2021, Judith Faas succeeded Geerlings as artistic director following his move to Maas Theater and Dance in Rotterdam. Faas, previously responsible for BonteHond’s community projects, designed and directed various innovative and socially engaged projects. These ranged from theatrical walks and workshops to unconventional performances and even a bold water ballet in a football club locker room. As artistic director, Judith defines BonteHond’s artistic vision, creating performances such as De geheime club, Superslow, Straf, and De zijlijn. Her newest production, WAUW!, will premiere in March 2025.

Want to work at BonteHond?
We love welcoming new, enthusiastic team members!

Internships:
Are you studying at an MBO, HBO, or university level and looking for an internship in marketing, education, or production? Send us an email with your CV, your internship goals, and the period you’d like to join us at [email protected]. BonteHond is a certified learning company.

Are you in secondary school and interested in a short-term internship? Email us with your interests and the week(s) you’d like to join us at [email protected].

Current Vacancies:
Check below for our latest openings.
Open applications can be sent to [email protected].

BonteHond is structurally supported by:

• Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science
• Municipality of Almere
• Province of Flevoland

BonteHond also receives four-year funding from the Cultural Participation Fund and the Municipality of Almere for the CmK project Kunst is dichterbij dan je denkt (Art is closer than you think).

Our projects are made possible by contributions from:

• Impuls Jongerencultuur, Municipality of Almere
• Stichting DOEN
• Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds

Collaborations:
BonteHond works closely with cultural partners in Almere and Flevoland, including:

• Alluminous Light Art Festival
• Amsterdam University of the Arts
• Collage, Center for Cultural Education Almere

BonteHond collaborates closely with:
Cultural partners in Almere and Flevoland:

• Alluminous lichtkunstfestival
• Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten
• Collage, Centrum voor cultuuronderwijs Almere
• Corrosia Theater, Expo & Film, Almere
• Flevolab
• Kubus, Lelystad
• Kunstlinie, Almere
• De Meerpaal, Dronten
• De Nieuwe Bibliotheek, Almere
• Jongerencentrum Place2B, Almere Buiten
• De Schoor, Welzijn in Almere
• Culturele broedplaats StrandLAB
• Theatergroep Suburbia
• Theatergezelschap Vis à Vis
• Theaterschool Almere
• De Verbeelding, Zeewolde

And with many schools in Almere

Annual report 2019 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2020 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2021 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2022 (in Dutch)
Annual report 2023 (in Dutch)

The board of the foundation consists of at least three and at most five members. Board members do not receive remuneration for their work but are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties (Article 3.5 of BonteHond’s statutes).

• Ad van Mierlo – Interim Chair & Treasurer
• Loes van der Pligt – General Member, Artistic Profile
• Meindert Eijgenstein – General Member, Education Profile
• Michel Rijsberman – General Member, Political Profile
• Sabina Kok – General Member, Education Profile

Subscribe to the BonteHond newsletter and stay updated on all developments and news from BonteHond. Four times a year, we inform you about our performances, projects, and public activities.

Are you professionally interested in BonteHond’s work? Then also subscribe to our business newsletter. You will receive our newsletter in your inbox four times a year. Be aware: the newsletter is only available in Dutch.