Bedrijfs logo Bedrijfs logo
Jules van Iperen

Interview

Gwen Sengers about Get Moved

Behind every programme lies a story. In this interview by Meer Muziek In De Klas, our programmer Youth & Education, Gwen Sengers, shares her vision on education, collaboration and the importance of small, meaningful steps.
Gwen Sengers Gwen Sengers

‘You have to kindle small fires’

For children in special education, a visit to the theatre is often not a given. Transport, supervision, processing of stimuli or physical accessibility form barriers. With Get Moved, Gwen Sengers aims to bring about change in this. An interview with a driven force behind the scenes.

As a programmer at Schouwburg Tilburg, Gwen works on a structural cultural offer for all schools. An important part of this is Get Moved: a collaboration between youth theatre companies, arts educators, schools and theatres that develops theatre and cultural education for special education.
Jules van Iperen Jules van Iperen

An optimal experience

“Get Moved is a platform where we share knowledge, but also actually programme and deliver performances for special education,” says Gwen. “As a theatre, we sit at the table with educators from companies and teachers to see how we can create an optimal experience for children in special education.”

Working for this target group requires specialist knowledge. “It is often thought: with a bit of extra patience, we can just take this on as well. But people often have no idea how diverse the needs of children in special education are, both physically and cognitively.”

Co-creation as a starting point

Co-creation is central within Get Moved. Theatre makers do not develop their work separately from the schools, but together with the people who guide the children on a daily basis. “You truly work together with teachers who know exactly what children can and cannot do. Where their world of experience lies and what they need.”

According to Gwen, this collaboration yields surprising results. “Everyone brings their own expertise. An arts educator, for example, might say: ‘I think there is much more to be drawn out of this child.’ In this way, you raise each other to a higher level.”
Jules van Iperen Jules van Iperen

Het was heel mooi

One of the most meaningful experiences within Get Moved arose during a collaboration with dance company De Stilte from Breda and the Tilburg education centre OC Leijpark, for children with severe multiple disabilities. “The school very much wanted to take the children to the theatre for once,” says Gwen. “They saw many obstacles. Nevertheless, we said: ‘We will make it possible together.’”

The aim was clear: to take the children, literally and figuratively, outside their familiar walls. “They really had to be able to experience theatre. Beautiful lighting, good sound, a different environment. To broaden their world.” Work was carried out with tactile dance workshops for children in wheelchairs and with speech computers. “Then you suddenly discover new ways of making contact. New doors opened for both teachers and children.” According to Gwen, that is precisely where the strength of arts education in special education lies: making visible possibilities that previously remained hidden.

The performance made a deep impression. One moment is etched in Gwen’s memory. “Afterwards, a girl in a wheelchair gave feedback via her speech computer: ‘It was very beautiful.’” Not only the teachers, but the dance company was also moved. “They were almost blown off their chairs with emotion. Because of her response, but also because of her eyes.”

Not underestimating children

Working in special education requires a specific attitude from theatre makers and arts educators. Gwen: “Makers who connect well with this target group do not make concessions to children. They create from their own artistic essence, but also understand how to form a connection.”

The same applies to arts educators. “You can observe and listen very well: what does this specific class need? Because no class is the same.” The most important thing is to start from competencies rather than limitations. “You begin with what children can already do. Not overestimating, but certainly not underestimating either. And from there you look at whether you can take them to new levels. You essentially want to kindle small fires.”

Jules van Iperen Jules van Iperen

A national network

In addition to practical projects, Gwen sees Get Moved as a knowledge platform. Several times a year, arts educators and partners come together to exchange experiences and discuss lesson designs. The ambition now extends beyond Tilburg. “We would very much like to see Get Moved expand. That platforms will also emerge in Rotterdam, Groningen and Limburg.”

What drives Gwen? “I want to make theatre accessible to all children. Including this large group within special education. I have taught in the classroom myself. I have seen what arts and cultural education can mean for children who would otherwise never go to the theatre. It is precisely for those children that theatre can open up a world. If you do not offer that structurally, children miss out on so much: creative development, empathy, imagination. Art makes their world bigger.”