Eva Bal and Children's Theater in Belgium

Abstract

Bal (1938-2021) graduated from the Utrecht School of Dramatic Art in 1960 and began her long and extensive career as a theatre maker. She went on to create numerous theatre productions at home and abroad and worked step by step on her big dream: a drama center for children and youth.

Eva Bal became a pioneer in the field of youth theatre and developed her method: ‘via improvisation to theatre’. She believed that theatre is more than text. Theatre is light. Theatre is music. From the outset, Eva opted for multidisciplinary theatre and invited professional actors, musicians, and dancers to participate in her productions. It was also her conviction that youth theatre should be close to the children, so she put children and youth on stage. The starting point in the creative process was the ‘unique voice’ of children and belief in their distinct artistry: a very innovative approach. Thematically she continually looked for what was happening in the world of children and youth, and she tried to stay in touch and talk with them as much as possible.

In 1978 she founded her Speelteater Gent, a drama center for children and youth. This marked the start of the realization of an old dream: a venue for talent at the edge of the nest, an open house for young art where theatre for and by young people is central. Eva’s goals were: to create productions for and with children and youth, set up theatre workshops, and program guest performances.

In 1993 Eva and her Speelteater moved to the KOPERGIETERY, an old copper foundry in the center of Ghent. With that, her dream was complete. Eva herself also traveled abroad. She created pieces in Singapore, Seoul, Montreal, Moscow, and Zurich, and soon after the war in Yugoslavia, she also began working with war children in Zagreb.

Speelteater/KOPERGIETERY maintained intensive contacts with schools, continued to work with children and youth in the Theatre Ateliers, welcomed fascinating artists, and made its creations. The house functioned as a laboratory, a springboard, and an established platform. As artistic director, Eva not only gave young talent opportunities but also coached actors, dancers, musicians, and directors in their work for children and youth. KOPERGIETERY (since 2001 the name for the Ghent children’s and youth theatre) became a biotope where ‘youth’ culture was given its full attention.

Over the years, the theatre studios became a hotbed of talent, where people like Lies Pauwels, Pieter-Jan De Smet, Alexander Devriendt, Nic Balthazar, Stephen and David Dewaele, and Violet Braeckman got their start. For her pioneering work in youth theatre, on 3 October 2000, Eva was officially ennobled by King Albert II and given the title of Baroness. As a motto, she chose ‘Het Kan’ [It’s possible].

In 2003, Eva Bal passed on the artistic leadership to Johan De Smet who, together with the entire KOPERGIETERY team (and soon thereafter the KOPERGIETERY STUDIOS) continued to
develop her work locally, nationally, and internationally.

Over the years, Eva Bal was awarded multiple theatre prizes, for her work or with KOPERGIETERY. She is regarded internationally as a unique pioneer in children’s arts.