Reading Room 1
Staged reading (EN)
Carl von Winckelmann – Europese man: een kroniek
BIO:
Carl von Winckelmann (°1982) is a director and theater artist. He studied performing arts (RITCS Brussels) and visual arts (KASK Ghent). Together with Freek Mariën, he serves as artistic director at Het Kwartier. In this role, he creates productions for both young people and adults, focusing on compelling text, a solid thematic foundation, and unconventional forms or themes. He made his directorial debut at fABULEUS with Kasimir and Karoline. He later directed Othello and De Metsiers there, each based on his own original translations and adaptations.
In addition, he regularly works as a coach and stage director for various artists. He is a lecturer and served as the artistic coordinator of the Drama program at LUCA School of Arts in Leuven from 2016 to 2022. He further expanded this program, including the Writing track, which is unique in Flanders.
European Man: A Chronical, Carl was nominated for the 2025 Playwriting Award.
SYNOPSIS:
The text European Man: A Chronicle offers an intriguing perspective on identity, rooted in both personal and European history. The creator, whose Indo-European heritage plays a central role, explores the complex landscape of identity, migration, and self-understanding. Drawing on his own family history and an equal measure of fiction, Carl weaves a narrative that spans from 1787 to the present. As if it were a single life. What do your parents pass on to you? How do you deal with that yourself? And what do you pass on to others?
A story about being a man and becoming a father, about searching for your past, unraveling your family tree, and bringing (untold) stories to life. About 150 years of European history we know almost nothing about, about Indo people, Japanese internment camps, and German colonists. About good intentions and blind spots.
Translator: David McKay
Eva Gouda – POPpulisme
BIO:
Eva Gouda (° 1987) is a screenwriter and playwright. She graduated in 2012 from the Writing for Performance program at the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht, and subsequently studied comedy writing in New York, where she founded the sketch comedy group Boesjans. Armed with a sharp eye and a great sense of humor, Eva translates social themes into accessible (youth) theatre.
She has written for organizations such as M-Lab, de HoorSpelFabriek, Theatergezelschap BonteHond, Klikbeet, and BNNVARA. Her work has been nominated for both the Prix Europa and the Zilveren Reissmicrofoon. For Het Filiaal theatermakers, she penned the successful productions RAAR, Blauw van jou, and POPpulisme. The latter was awarded the 2023 Gouden Krekel for most impressive youth theatre production and earned her the prestigious Translation Prize at the 2025 Dramatiker|innenfestival in Graz. In addition, she teaches creative writing at institutions including the Schrijversvakschool, Buitenkunst, and the HKU.
SYNOPSIS:
In the kingdom of Berg and Dal, the valley lies in the shade, while the mountain basks in the sun. That’s just the way it is. Until Barrie, a valley dweller, makes a shocking revelation: the mountain folk are stealing the sun! He claims he can bring the sun back and becomes the valley’s hero. But is what he says really true?
The Puppetmaster is a humorous show with a dark edge. Featuring four performers, live percussion, and vocals. The absurd yet incisive text by Eva Gouda is performed entirely with puppets and illustrates how manipulation works.
(A loose adaptation of George Saunders’ book The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil.)
Translator: Rina Vergano