Born on Tuesday morning, February 9, 1999, at 9 past 9, Niels grew up in Honselersdijk, a small village near fields, the sea, and the corner of Holland. He discovered his passion for theater at an early age: at ten, he performed in operas with the theater company Dario Fo, and later attended the Theater Class at Dalton The Hague and RABARBER, where he studied theater, singing, and dance for five years. After a preparatory program at the Utrecht School of the Arts, he graduated in 2021 from the Mime school at the Amsterdam University of the Arts, a training that further developed his focus on physical acting, creation, and individuality.
With his large, expressive body, he is always searching for stories and projects with a bold and idiosyncratic character. His work spans multiple disciplines—from text to dance, from film to mime—and he draws energy from collaborating with other makers and performers. He enjoys experimenting with new forms, challenging existing conventions, and exploring themes such as touch, sensitivity, and human intimacy.
Together with writer and dramaturg Taan Tabak, he forms the makers’ duo Bunqer, in which they investigate the intersection of language and movement. Their work explores poetic stories about identity, desire, and bodily freedom, combined with physical research. With a focus on fluidity and queer perspectives, they combine intensity, playfulness, and spatiality to create performances that engage audiences both physically and mentally.
