Dana Kibbelaar, the managing director of Theaterfestival Boulevard, has plenty of reason for an after-party. The return to the heart of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, 37,000 sold tickets, and excellent weather were the crowning glory of the fortieth anniversary. A look back and forward

Did Boulevard 2024 get wings?

Absolutely, because we celebrated more than just an anniversary. Since 2020, we have been absent or largely missing from de Parade due to the renovation of Theater aan de Parade. Now, we celebrated the return to the city center. It felt like a homecoming, which the team, artists/theatre companies, and visitors also experienced. Our three interim years in the Zuiderpark were very educational. But with the return to the city center, we reach more spontaneous passersby and day-trippers, allowing us to introduce them to the performing arts and the atmosphere of Boulevard.

Another reason for overall joy: the recently granted subsidies.

Certainly, because it represents a given trust, which is valuable. But there is also relief. It is not a given that your multi-year plans will be honored. Therefore, we find it bitter for all Boulevard's affected partners.

The grants at a glance? From the Performing Arts Fund [FPK], we receive a contribution for each festival edition from 2025-2028. From the report: “Theaterfestival Boulevard distinguishes itself from other large-scale summer festivals. The committee also rates the local integration as very good.” The Province of North Brabant is also positive, but due to a subsidy cap, the amount granted for the years 2025-2028 is worryingly lower than in other years. We are also very pleased with the recognition from the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The municipality includes Boulevard among the so-called Bossche Seven, which includes Theater aan de Parade, Verkadefabriek, and Willem Twee. A bold and courageous choice, as, unlike the others, Boulevard has no own stage or imposed fixed frameworks.

Do you see changes in the audience?

Yes, in recent years, more young people have gradually been coming to Boulevard. That is encouraging. For a festival that has been around for forty years, you want to retain your old audience – in which we succeed – but you also focus on attracting a younger audience. I think we are succeeding in this, partly due to programming choices such as a strong focus on youth and family performances, Dukebox x Cyper HQ, FOMO FATALE, and the collaboration with Fontys and Avans Universities of Applied Sciences.

Do you already have a To-Do list for the 2025 edition?

I want to better involve our partners – especially suppliers – in the story behind the choices we make. Partnership extends beyond the financial/economic sphere. Sustainability, for example, plays an increasingly important role in this. Last winter, we were awarded the gold Green Key certificate. Honorable, but also an encouragement to try to raise the bar even higher. The love of visitors for theatre on location was once again confirmed in the performances by Het Houten Huis/Theater STAP at Landgoed Bleijendijk, Laika/Froefroe at the IJzergieterij, Tijd van de Wolf at the Citadel, and Corpo Máquina Society in the Catharinakerk. Boulevard has a long tradition of location theatre. Since 1985, we have performed in 265 locations in and around the city. But stricter laws and regulations, combined with a more limited supply of vacant real estate, make it more challenging. Yet, we do not want to resign ourselves to what is no longer possible; we continue to explore what still is.

On September 1st, Tessa Smeulers, with whom you formed the board the last three years, will bid farewell to Boulevard after fifteen years. How will you proceed?

All tasks and responsibilities are well secured. I am pleased that we have found Daniële Streep [Eurosonic Noorderslag and Oerol – ed.] willing to work with me as interim managing director. The plans for 2025-2028 were already there, and now they are being brought to life.

Interview: Eric Alink