History

Plein Theater

Plein Theater is a unique theatre in Amsterdam Oost, offering contemporary and various programs for children, youngsters and adults. We are simultaneously a presenting stage in the neighborhood and a theater with an international orientation, a stepping stone for young talent and a collaborative and producing theater.

The programming in the Plein Theater is hybrid, interdisciplinary and adventurous; from contemporary music to modern dance, and from youth theater to puppet and object theatre. Here you can discover small-scale, intimate performance art weekly, with a strong focus on visual forms and activist themes. We give a platform to young talent, offbeat makers and prime theater companies and explicitly give space to experiment. In our view, the creator has a central role as driving force in cultural change.

As a collaborative theatre, we play an important role within the nomadic Cultuurhuis Oost (EAST&), with the public space as playground. In addition, our production house makes theatre projects that tie in with historical and current themes of the world around us.

Podium of the world around us

What makes a neighbourhood a close-knit, warm, and open community? The public square, where people meet up spontaneously and in a special way. It’s the heart of a neighbourhood, a familiar place where there is space for activities, dialogue and entrepreneurship. Every public square evolves with time, but also remains timeless.

The Plein Theater aims to be that beating heart for Amsterdam East and beyond. Our vision is to be a podium for the world around us, with a contemporary and diverse program from and for global citizens.

We are committed to all cultures and generations represented in our society. With love we compose a diverse, local, and international program which included anything for everyone; from entertainment to connection and from inspiration to cultural exchange. At Plein Theater courageous makers shed light on conflicts in society, and show where change is necessary. With us, voices are heard and sympathetic ears are offered. Here's to meet fellow people.

History of our theatre

Our theatre in Amsterdam Oost is situated on Sajetplein. The square is named after Ben Sajet, a Jewish doctor, administrator, and politician. During WWII he was able to escape from the Germans. The building itself was part of the former Amstel Brewery on the Mauritskade (1871 - 1968).

The Pleintheater was established by activist residents in 1982 as a neighbourhood theatre, with a café restaurant in the empty brewery canteen. The intention was to promote cooperation between groups from various cultural demographics. Its location, where the city centre ends and Oost begins, enables the podium to provide a connecting function in our city. A link between the “city” and the “neighbourhood”.

When the former Pleintheater continued in 2014 under the name Oostblok, it became part of the Podiumpartners organisation, which also manages the Muiderpoorttheater. Since then, we’ve continued to improve the quality of our programming in the areas of theatre, youth theatre, dance and mime. From March 2019 the theatre will once again operate under the name PLEIN THEATER.