Creative volunteering: Building sets

Doing something completely different as a volunteer, that is also possible. Dental assistant Katarina DodiShe comes up with concepts for sets, gathers items on Marktplaats, and builds them for the theater group ‘Alweer geen revolutie’. For the new performance, she scores a toilet bowl in Zaandam, fills an old baby carriage with building materials, and creates a garbage dump full of hidden treasures, just to name a few. How does she come up with these ideas?

Looking for positive energy

Katarina: “I worked for years in healthcare as a dental assistant after fleeing from Serbia to the Netherlands. However, earlier this year I had to stop because of bothersome tinnitus complaints (a form of hearing damage, ringing in the ears, ed.). I was really struggling, feeling desperate, wanting to get back to work quickly. Eventually, I decided to first look for something that would give me energy again, without too much pressure. Our first conversation here felt really good right away, there was a real connection. I believe in what they do and I want to contribute. It’s also nice to fully blossom again creatively.”

Theater with a cheeky twist

Roemer Lievaart is an actor and one of the two founders of the theater group. They present performances that are ‘edgy and uncomfortable, but accessible to everyone’. Roemer: “Humor is our favorite vehicle to tackle societal issues. It’s no coincidence that our next production – for which Katarina is building the set – is called ‘Beer & Tits, socially responsible theater’. It will be open to everyone in the summer of 2023 at Stenen Hoofd in Amsterdam. Don’t miss it!”

Time for a fresh start

Katarina: “I was actually mainly attracted by the name of the company, I wanted to know more about it. The personal match was a gift, the work I do here has brought me so much. The set I create is like the 3”^eplayer, alongside the 2 main actors. The garbage dump symbolizes our consumer behavior, it is a reflection of society. At the same time, it represents a fresh start; throwing things away and starting over. That’s how I feel here too, I am done with my insecurities and working on transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly!”

Boost for both

Roemer himself has also undergone a transformation before starting the theater group with co-founder Esther Noyon. “The arrival of Katarina has also given us a boost. The way she came in here with that energy and her trust in us and what we create here. As a start-up, we constantly have all kinds of hurdles to overcome and we do that together or work around them. Moreover, it’s a pleasure to enjoy Katarina as an engaging storyteller, she is a born theater maker. For that, you have to open up first, be in the here and now because routine doesn’t work. It’s beautiful to see that happen with her.”

Are you enthusiastic?

Theater group ‘No revolution again’ could still use some extra set design hands. Board members or social media enthusiasts are also welcome.
Curious about all volunteer opportunities in Amsterdam? Our online job board lists more than a thousand. For everyone’s talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediators.Hello.Top photo: Jackie Mulder
Interview: Sonja Remkes