DONS (development)

DONS is an immersive dance opera about masculinity and the man searching for himself within the imposed role patterns of society, shaped by the words, images, and stories we tell ourselves and each other.

DONS explores how gender roles are narratives shaped by society, often driven by political and commercial interests. The opera invites us to let go of these rigid ideas and embrace a fluid, authentic way of being, in contrast to the rising glorification of nostalgia for a conservative male image.

Nicholas Thayer, the composer of DONS, creates a sonic experience combining classical opera elements from Mozart’s Don Giovanni with dark electronic beats and synthesizers.

DONS is a co-production with ICK Amsterdam. There will be a presentation of a research at May 23, 24 - 2025. The full performance will be premiered in 2026.

For more information please visit the following website.

Producer: Coops & Co

Co-producer: ICK Dans Amsterdam

Director & Concept: Robin Coops

Choreography: Emio Greco, Pieter C. Scholten

Composer: Nicholas Thayer

Scenography: Maze de Boer

Costumes: Clifford Portier

Dramaturgy: Isabel van Hauwe, Florian Hellwig

Dancers: ICK Ensemble

Singers: Arnout Lems, Brecht Coppers, and David Whitwell