The Dutch Circus Showcase is a two-day event during Circusstad Festival where (inter)national programmers, producers and impresarios are invited to scout new professional talent.
Would you like to register for a place at the Dutch Circus Showcase? Mail your proposal or question to menno@circusstad.nl and you will hear as soon as possible whether you have been selected.
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.
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
21.45 – 22.45 Laura Murphy (UK) – A Spectacle of Herself
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 Goos Meeuwsen & Helena Bittencourt – 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
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
17.00 – 18.00 Marica Marinoni & Jef Everaert (IT/BE) – In Difference
20.00 – 21.15 Gravity & Other Myths (AU) – The Mirror
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.
