Anders! (meaning ‘Otherwise!’)

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Inclusive music theatre

Anders! (meaning ‘Otherwise!’) is a musical theatre project created by Embrace Netherlands. The cast consists of a group of participants with various disabilities and amateurs from the region.

Together with musicians, dancers and other professionals, they work as an ensemble to put on a performance every year. Our motto is ‘Everyone has the right to a voice. Everyone belongs’.

Anders! makes performances from the perspective of the participants themselves. They adapt their stories, ideas and emotions through text, poetry, music and movement into a musical theatre performance. The journey that is made, is at least as important as the final result. The combination of professionals and participants with disabilities delivers exciting and surprising creations.

For more information about the project or questions about possible participation, please contact info@embracenederland.nl

Watch the documentary

This documentary is made by Marijke Schonewille. ‘De dag dat ik op reis ga’ Marijke Schonewille.

Watch the documentary with English subs on YouTube.

The 'Buddy system'

We couple the participants per discipline to a professional, creative partner, with whom they rehearse for a number of months. This creates a collaboration in which experimentation can be carried out and a specific language and form can be developed. The created material that is arrived at through the various collaborations, is bound together and further developed by the Embrace team.

The photo series below of Anders! 2025 was taken by photographer Piet Douma.

Core values

Inclusivity: everyone is welcome.
Participation: participating and creating something themselves are the most important elements, especially for those who normally do not get the chance to participate in a production like this.
Empowerment: how can someone with a disability realise his or her potential? How can someone without disabilities learn to understand and respect the other person? We start from everyone's own creativity.
Quality: We always strive for the highest achievable result, for both amateurs and professionals working side by side.