Charlotte Puijk-Joolen and Ananda Puijk work intensively together and support each other in the development and creation of their performances.
They perform together on stage.
Charlotte Puijk-Joolen
Charlotte Puijk-Joolen studied at the Academy of Arts “Artibus” in Utrecht where she was inspired by her theatre lecturer Lisette van Meeteren, who was well known in the world of theatre in the seventies.
Charlotte graduated under her supervision and started her own atelier and developed a special friendship with Lisette who became her “theatre mother”.
Charlotte also studied scenography at the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht under the supervision of the famous artist Nicolaas Wijnberg, who was the most important scenographer at that time. She quickly realised that repertoire theatre was not really for her and discovered puppetry theatre, and in particular world-famous Henk Boerwinkel from ‘Theater Triangel’.
She knew immediately that she wanted to follow in his footsteps. Thereafter Charlotte continued to work with and for different Dutch theatre groups and tv, but she specialised in puppetry and later worked for Henk Boerwinkel. She worked with him for ten years and travelled the world with him. He became ‘her Master’ in puppetry theatre.
In 1996 she set up ‘t Magisch Theatertje together with her husband Roel Puijk and developed her own performances. Her first performance for adults Panta Rhei II became a great international success. Through her work with Henk Boerwinkel she built a large network and was welcome in many international festivals.
Her international première with Panta Rhei II at the Festival Mondial des Théâtres des Marionnettes’ in Charleville-Mézières in France was a great success in her discipline.
Also, in Moscow/ Russia Charlotte was invited to perform at the famous Obraztov Theatre which was broadcasted on national tv in the whole of Russia.
Charlotte has a background in visual arts which is reflected in her work. She does not work from concepts, but from her own inspiration. In the whole process of creation, she searches for the essence within. She is especially inspired by metaphysical themes which can be clearly seen in her work.
In the year 2000 she made a journey through Tibet with Tibetan Lama’s. The influence of Tibetan Buddhism can be felt in her work. Her performances are a game of mystery, in which, in an almost ritual magical suspense the spectator is carried away into a world of mystery and dreams.
Due to the fact that her performances are of a spiritual and archetypical nature they are understood and valued worldwide. When Charlotte performed “Exuvia” at the international festival in Charville-Mezieres in France she was awarded the “Medaillon d’Honneur” for the Dutch NPV/UNIMA for her services and contribution to the development of Dutch puppetry.
In 2005 Charlotte and her youngest daughter Ananda decided to join forces and bring together the visual and performing arts in which Ananda is trained. Since then both Charlotte and Ananda have been working many hours together in their atelier and go on tour to festivals all over the world, a dream which many mothers and daughters would long for. They thrive on each other’s support and inspiration.
Ananda Puijk
Ananda Puijk graduated in 2003 from “De Kleine Academie” in Brussels; the Academy for performing arts based on the ideas of Jacques Lecoq from Paris, France.
Growing up within the walls of ‘T Magisch Theatertje in Maastricht, the Netherlands, Ananda has taken to theatre from a very young age.
After starting working with Charlotte Puijk-Joolen in 2005, Ananda’s love for theatre has only grown stronger. She is on a quest to develop her own style in which she combines the ideas of Jacques Lecoq’s Physical Theatre together with the discipline of ‘T Magisch Theatertje, puppetry. In her quest she is creating her own means of theatrical communication, trying to merge both disciplines into one.
As the working relationship between Charlotte and Ananda has become more intensive they have decided to join forces and operate together under the name ‘t Magisch Theatertje and take advantage of each other’s expertise and experience.
As Ananda does not use the spoken word in her performances, music is of profound importance to her work. She has music especially composed to form a union with the images and the movement. The music is composed while writing and choreographing the performances in order to create the perfect balance. Sometimes the improvisation of movement inspires the composer; sometimes the music inspires to movement.
Ananda focuses in on the so-called “small emotions”. The emotions, which lie behind the surface. In our society, in which everything is achievement-based, we feel we have to disregard our weaknesses and insecurities. We therefore sometimes tend to forget that some of these emotions are natural and ‘humane’.
By putting emphasis on the different, universal emotions in her performances, Ananda hopes to show that it is possible to learn to see each other through new eyes. She aims to show that, behind the façade of everyday life, and the masks of different cultures, it is the people you need to see. People who experience similar changes, great or small.
Ananda has opted for this form of performing arts, i.e. only physical movement and music. She believes that words do not suffice in order to describe these universal emotions. It is through image and sound that Ananda wishes to capture the imagination of her audience and let them create their own associations, their own story.
Roel Puijk
Roel studied Arts at Art School in Arnhem and Utrecht and at the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht. Roel initiated the founding and the construction of ‘t Magisch Theatertje in ’94.
Since the opening in ’96 he has been working as the financial manager.
In addition to the financial management Roel is also responsible for the organisation of the many international company tours.