As an actress, Fem Petraeus has been walking around the film and television world for years. The only place she has been running around longer is in her own city: Amersfoort. So are you looking for an energizing theater show or a compelling film? Ask Fem!
Tekst: Thijs Tomassen
"You have a good head for television. Must do something with it," a classmate once told Fem. Twenty years later and we go on the road with this very experienced actor. Fem has acted in series (Thirties, New Very), cinema films (Bon Bini Holland) and commercials. As a director's assistant at NTR, she also plays a big role behind the scenes. Crowded schedule, you think? Fem finds space to work with theatergroupBint. This artistic company brings about impact through theater with programs for companies and organizations.Does she still have a moment to watch performing and screen arts herself? "Always. I encourage everyone to make time for that. Theater and film provide frills in life!"
Cake
Hit the road, Fem! Starting at De Lieve Vrouw. This is an intimate theater with diverse programming and plenty of room for smaller venue productions. Fem: "You often sit close to the actors on stage here. It's so cool to sit up front. Then you see the craft of the actors. They sweat and work to give us an unforgettable experience. That shared experience is really nice. I also really like the 'New Harvest' series. Then on seven Friday evenings you sit in front of the theater top of tomorrow."
This cherry on top of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerkhof cake has not only theater but also a fantastic film library and café. Fem: "There are great arthouse films running here during the day and in the evening. It's great to go to the movies in the afternoon and dive into another world."
Allure
Next up is the heart of Amersfoort: the Wagenwerkplaats. This is where Holland Opera is located in the Veerensmederij. Fem describes it as an opera house with international allure. "There is a new generation of makers and musicians working here on topical and accessible performances for young and old. They make use of (youth) literature, drama and music classics. For all the prejudice that opera has, Holland Opera's performances prove otherwise," Fem says loud and clear.
Top tip from Fem: "Also go to KOSMIK! Less than a ten-minute bike ride from downtown, you're at this cultural stage and production house. Here you'll see new performances, high-profile documentaries and stand-up, for example by Thjum Arts."
Of course, only one can be the real favorite. For Fem, that is the Open Air Theatre at forest Birkhoven. "A beautiful place that holds many personal memories for me. I used to go to theater camp here. Theater in the forest does something to the experience of the players and audience. You can hear the trees rustling, the birds singing. It's cool to be aware of that as a maker. That is real location theater.'