Johan De Smet
(artistic director & director)

As a child he acted in a variety of plays (national and international) at the former Speelteater in Ghent over a period of more than 10 years. Following his professional training, which included leading the experimental Laboratorium theatre workshop at Speelteater Ghent/KOPERGIETERY. In addition to this, he has for more than 15 years worked very successfully as a theatre-maker for the KOPERGIETERY in Belgium and abroad. His creations include Komosha, The Revenge of Tarzan, Lieg Liefje Lieg/Lie Love Lie, ’T ijlland, Squash & Soda, Aááárgh!, Calypso, Beuysband, Panama, DALLAS and The Legend of Woesterdam.

As a theatre-maker he shows himself to be someone who has his finger on the pulse of the times and often experiments with various theatre forms. His frequently successful performances are characterised by an intensive use of live music, video and dance.

He has been artistic director of the KOPERGIETERY since the 2003-2004 season.

Ives Thuwis
(choreographer & director)

Thuwis was a student at the Dance Academy in Tilburg. Following his graduation, he was actively involved for many years with the Dansers Collectief followed by the Moussoux-Bonté company.
He also danced at the former Speelteater in Ghent in Landschap of Laura, a performance by Eva Bal and Alain Platel. Following the great success of his first creation, Royaal Lyrisch, in the KOPERGIETERY, Ives staged various dance performances which were very well received both in Belgium and abroad. Indeed, his productions have several times been programmed at the Holland Festival.
His creations in the KOPERGIETERY include: Men, Tom waits for no man, Ich wollte nog etwas sagen, Out in the woods, Satin and White Wine… and also Henry (3 Ons – Palinckx band – ASKO-ensemble), The end of an affair and Adieu (in association with FFT Dusseldorf).

As a choreographer he also created the major international ‘BRIEF’ project, which the KOPERGIETERY developed together with Dschungel Wien (Vienna), Theaterhaus Gessnerallee (Zurich) and JES (Stuttgart). For a number of years now he has been one of the permanent inspirers / creators of the KOPERGIETERY Theatre Workshops.

Eva Bal
(founder & director)

In 1978 she founded a drama centre for children and young people and named it Speelteater. Initially she created performances – using both professional actors and children – which were highly successful and toured the world.
At the same time she founded theatre workshops for children and young people.

From 1993 onwards, when she found accommodation for the whole operation in an old copper foundry (kopergietery), it became possible to host visiting theatre companies and the company acquired its new and definitive name, the KOPERGIETERY.

Eva opted for multidisciplinary theatre forms from the very start. Her most successful creations include: Landscape of Laura, Footsteps in the night, Itsme, The dangerous journey, The boy who knew it, Wild Things, The surprise, Mr Bert’s hopeless devastating overwhelming love, Satin and White Wine.

In 2000 she was raised to the nobility by King Albert II for her outstanding pioneering work in the field of culture for children and young people. She was given the title of baroness.
Eva Bal is still associated with the KOPERGIETERY as artistic advisor and theatre-maker.

Nele Roels
(manager & international contacts)

As manager and being in charge of international contacts, Nele is responsible for all information on performances, tour planning, fees, etc.

You can contact her at:
nele@kopergietery.be or heleen@kopergietery.be (Heleen Vervondel, assistent * 0032 9 266 11 41)

Cindy Godefroi
(programming)

Cindy, who is responsible for hosted activities at the KOPERGIETERY, invites a range of performances from Belgium and abroad every season.

Should you wish to keep us informed of current or forthcoming performances please contact: cindy@kopergietery.be