© Bart Grietens

Queertopia is a conversion machine; no matter what your sexual preference is when you enter, you come out as queer. Because sexual preference is a choice. At least, in the parallel reality that the creators sketch for you.

In this immersive theatrical experience, in which the public debate surrounding love and sexuality is questioned: the LGBTQ+ lobby is thriving and its propaganda has penetrated every corner of society. The movement introduces a new conversion method. You now have the opportunity to rediscover yourself and enter one of the conversion machines as a participant.

What happens when we shape a world in which we don't try to define love and attraction, when love isn't part of a political agenda? What remains is the realization that our diversity is actually our strength. That we don't have to frame others. That ambiguity actually gives us more freedom.

With this project, creators Luit Bakker and Bart van de Woestijne open the conversation about emancipation. Together with the audience, they search for a new language for loving. The participant's personal experience is a valuable entry point for discussion about diversity, inclusion, and what queerness can mean for the world.

Queertopia Training Programme

Werkplaats van de Woestijne and Luit Bakker present: Queertopia Training Programme in Het Verbond. In addition to their installation Queertopia, they offer additional activities to explore your identity. All workshops are free for ticketholders of Queertopia. Participants without a ticket can make a voluntary contribution. Limited spots, register here!

The workshops:

Sat 27 & Wed 31 Dan 18.30  |  Queer Bodywork by Queer Gym
Tue 30 Jan 18.30  |  Shibari Workshop by Fite Qlub
Thu 1 Feb 18.30   |  Sensual writing workshop by Fite Qlub 

  • Location: Frascati 3, Nes 63
  • Sat 27 Jan part of the We Are Public programme
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Language: English

About the creator

In Queertopia, the qualities of Luit Bakker and Bart van de Woestijne merge together. Luit aims to break down gender roles in her work in a humorous but confronting way. She is critical of society and seeks vulnerability in herself and her audience. Bart transforms life questions into thinking experiences in his Werkplaats van de Woestijne, where you are forced to search for your answer to a big, impossible question. Bart peels off political topics into existential questions. According to him, we need to think more about ourselves in order to change.

concept and creation Luit Bakker & Bart van de Woestijne text Luit Bakker & Bart van de Woestijne performers Judith Schuur & Luit Bakker light design and scenography Tom Heintz & Jolein Kop sound design Jelle Hoekstra dramaturgy Maarten Bos coach Liet Lenshoek marketing Anton van der Sluis business manager Leonie Kuhlmann production Ymke van Hoof with support of Amsterdams Fonds voor de KunstenLikeminds, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Stichting Dioraphte, Stichting Lira, Stichting Bylandt