Director Tessa Smeulers leaves Boulevard after 15 years

This summer, the fortieth edition of Theaterfestival Boulevard will be celebrated in 's-Hertogenbosch, with new names and old acquaintances. For managing director Tessa Smeulers, this special anniversary year is a moment to change course. After fifteen years, she will say goodbye to Theaterfestival Boulevard on the 1st September.

Head and heart
"For years, my head and heart have been connected to Theaterfestival Boulevard. With great happiness and equally great pleasure, I have been able to work with an impressive co-director, the very best colleagues, inspiring makers and many committed partners of this beautiful festival. Recently, the realization grew that after 15 years – by far the largest part of my working life - I want to broaden my view and continue to grow somewhere else. The audiences, the makers, the city, the colleagues and the volunteers; I'm going to miss everything and everyone," Tessa Smeulers motivates.

Smeulers started at Theaterfestival Boulevard as a programme producer, then became head of programming and in recent years she formed the two-headed board of directors, together with Dana Kibbelaar. Tessa Smeulers: “The collaboration with Dana over the past two years has been the icing on the cake of my career at Theaterfestival Boulevard. It is a great reassurance to know that she continues to give direction to Boulevard with her knowledge and passion.”

The following months, duo director Dana Kibbelaar will lead the festival together with Daniële Streep - who will take office ad interim. Daniël Streep has experience as interim director at Oerol Festival, as head of operations at Eurosonic Noorderslag and as a management consultant at Berenschot. 

Dana Kibbelaar, Managing director: 
“With her eye for quality and her warm commitment to the makers and their work, Tessa makes the difference. She was tireless in her attention and appreciation for us, her direct colleagues, and all other people involved with Theaterfestival Boulevard. I think her decision to move on is a courageous one. We're going to miss Tessa.”

Heleen Herbert, Chair of the Supervisory Board:
"Theaterfestival Boulevard is carried by an experienced and dedicated team that shapes the festival artistically and production-wise. For years, Tessa has been one of the defining people who has developed this festival into what it is today. Over the past two years, together with Dana Kibbelaar, she has given substance to a new management model, in which continuity and polyphony are guaranteed by a two-member board. This has laid a strong foundation for the future. We are confident that Dana and Daniële, together with the entire team, will successfully build on this foundation. We thank Tessa for everything she has meant to Boulevard and wish her a wonderful continuation of her career."  

Boulevard 40
With the Parade square as the heart of the festival, Theaterfestival Boulevard returns to the city center of 's-Hertogenbosch for this 40th edition. From 1 to 11 August, more than 110 performances will take place at various locations. From the atmospheric Parade to the cozy city center and unique locations beyond. Boulevard offers a summer festival experience for theater fans and terrace lovers alike. With new names and old acquaintances. The network of makers who feel connected to the festival is large and continues to grow. Several generations of audiences, curious and warm-hearted, are loyal to us.