From 29 April – 3 May 2026 Circusstad Festival Rotterdam is back with an all-new and exciting edition. We hope to welcome you at our 3-day professionals program (April 30 – May 2), focussing on connecting you with developments in the Dutch circus scene: the Dutch Circus Showcase.

Once again the program will include a pitching session with new projects and ready to tour-work and visits to performances and work-in-progress showings, as well as multiple lunches, a dinner and drinks. 

For the Dutch professionals: De ticketlinkjes staan onderaan dit bericht!

This year we also play host to the Take Care Conference, organised by FEDEC and Codarts, and co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, Join us for a day of sharp insights, honest conversations, and shared experience on mental health in circus. Discover key findings from the Take Care survey, take part in workshops and keynotes, meet Codarts students and festival artists, all as part of your program. A space to think deeply, connect widely and take care – together.

The showcase program:

Thursday April 30

14.00 – 15.00 Accreditation and welcome

15.30 – 16.15 Tall Tales Company – Droplines (première)

17.00 – 18.00 Motus Murmuri (Samuel Rhyner) – The Idle Hour (NL première)

18.00 – 19.00 Welcome drink

Optional:   (not part of the showcase program)
20.00 – 21.10 People Watching (CA) – Play Dead (tickets)
21.45 – 22.45 Laura Murphy (UK) – A Spectacle of Herself (tickets)

Friday May 1
10.30 – 12.30   pitching sessions
12.30 – 13.30   Lunch
13.30 – 14.15   Leire Froufe – Lumen (work in progress)
15.00 – 16.00   Helena & Goos – VRIJ / FREE!
16.30 – 17.00   Shuttle to MAAS podium
17.00 – 19.00   Dinner
19.00 – 20.00  Michael Zandl – FOOD  

Optional: (not part of the showcase program)
20.30 – 21.30 Frédérique Cournoyer Lessard (CA) – SCUSE (tickets)

Saturday May 2
10.00 – 12.30  Take Care Conference part 1   
12.30 – 13.30  Lunch                        
13.30 – 14.15  Cristian Boscheri – Pleaser (première)
14.45 – 16.15  Take Care Conference part 2
16.30 – 18.00  Closing drink

Optional: (not part of the showcase program)
17.00 – 18.00   Codarts Circus Arts 3rd year’s group performance (tickets)
17.00 – 18.00   Marica Marinoni & Jef Everaert (IT/BE) – In Difference (tickets)
20.00 – 21.15   Gravity & Other Myths (AU) – The Mirror (tickets)

Program modifications reserved

You will be able to combine your visit with even more international performances at a professionals rate.

Sign up for the professionals discount here.

Tickets Dutch Curcus Showcase:

Klik hier voor tickets voor het complete 3-daagse showcase programma (incl. lunches, diner en borrels) 

Mocht je alleen de pitchingsessie en lunch op 1 mei willen bijwonen: 
Klik hier voor tickets voor enkel de pitchingsessie incl. lunch op 1 mei

Wil je alleen het Take Care Conference op 2 mei incl. lunch bijwonen:
Klik hier voor tickets voor enkel de Take Care Conference incl. lunch op 2 mei

Wil je alleen en kostenloos naar het Take Care Conference (aanmelden verplicht):
Klik hier voor aanmelding Take Care Conference op 2 mei

Dietary requirements can be send to / Dieetwensen kunnen worden doorgegeven via: erica@circusstad.nl