International Theater Amsterdam concludes collaboration with Flemish director Ivo van Hove after exploring work culture

Van Hove has been with ITA since 2001. The reason for these measures is two external investigations into inappropriate behavior in the company’s workplace. This showed that the work culture within ITA “has not been sufficiently safe and inclusive” for years.

Van Hove himself said he was “deeply affected” by the internal investigations. Since September he has been associated with the ITA as a director and consultant.

At the end of last September, the Flemish actress Hélène Devos revealed through Instagram that she had been suffering from “physical and mental abuse” at ITA for years. Devos is best known to us for her roles in the film Belgium and the comedy series Mother of bugs.

Almost two-thirds of current employees said they had previously experienced the feeling of inappropriate behaviour. This would include sexual advances, verbal intimidation and even physical violence. The research talks about “causing physical pain, whether intentionally or unintentionally, during acting, shouting and offensive jokes”. Furthermore: a culture of fear is said to be “caused by strong hierarchical relationships”.

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According to the director of ITA Menso, the company “needs rest, recovery and renewal” following the publication of the reports. The appointment of Van Hove and the board of directors offers “space for the cultural change that the group needs now,” he said. The company says it will continue to support the city of Amsterdam. and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) informed about the measures for better working conditions. The company is “in discussions” with the actors who were spies for the two studies.

Van Hove is now the focus of the Ruhrtriennale for the period from 2024 to 2026. The art festival opened on Friday in Bochum, Germany, with the world premiere of I want complete beauty by the Belgian director – starring the German actress Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann, Anatomy of a fall, The area of ​​interest) and music by PJ Harvey – and runs until September 15.