Olaf van de Ven

Inspired by the children's theatre of Jozef van den Berg, I ended up at the Kleine academie, a comedia dell'arte-based drama school in Brussels. However, I soon missed singing in the theatre and especially the interaction with the audience. In order to break through that fourth wall, I started the cabaret duo 'Olaf en Jasper' together with Jasper Smit in 1998. In eleven years, we wrote five full-length performances and proudly performed them throughout the Netherlands. Moreover, due to the direct and never predictable interaction with an audience, I have pledged my heart to presenting. Dealing with group dynamics and directing them is tailor-made for me.
Eventually, via a detour via cabaret, I ended up with my first source of inspiration, children's theater. I was finally able to combine the physicality of my education and the love for the uncolored reaction of children in the performance POEP (About a little mole who wanted to know who pooped on his head). I will not let go of this newfound passion, so my own theater group (Meneer Monster) and a second performance (the Gruffalo) are now a fact.
Furthermore, by giving cabaret workshops, my love for teaching has been ignited. I come from a long line of teachers, going back to my great-grandfather, and despite having repeatedly told my father that I would break that line: "I want to be an actor", blood is thicker than water. I now teach with great love at several schools throughout the Netherlands and will continue to cherish that passion, in addition to acting.