Founder Dance in Art – Dance in Art

Martine van Santen

Created work portfolio

Discover the life and work of choreographer and teacher Martine van Santen, whose choreographies are original works that foster cross-fertilization between choreography and other artistic disciplines.

About

Born in 1982, Martine's dance journey started when she was 5 years old. Looking back, she attributes her success to her education and her experiences working in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and New York.

Art as Translation

For Martine, art is a translation — the act of turning fleeting emotions and unspoken moments into movement. This creation process expands the language and aesthetics of interdisciplinary dance performances.

Artistic voice

Martine encourages her performers to research various modes of art to actualize their full potential and find their artistic points of view. Applying what she learned through her research (Master of Education in Arts), she has helped dancers from various backgrounds find their unique styles and develop their personal abilities. Little did she know that working with these groups in tandem would provide her with the insight and experience to establish Dance in Art, a center for dance, art education and performance development in 2013.

Dance & Film

In 2019, her first dance film with film director Sophie Koster marked a turning point. #METOO An award winning short dance film. Written and told by victims from all across the world. Their stories are translated into a dance that shows the different phases a victim experiences. A tribute to the powerful movement.

The Turning Point

The success of the film #METOO marked a shift — focussing more and more on social topics cross-fertilization between choreography and other artistic disciplines.

Martine encourages her performers to research various modes of art to actualize their full potential and find their artistic points of view. She developed this learning model while working on her master thesis, Master of Education in Arts.

Signature Style

Never bound by medium, Martine expands into film, text, visual art, set design and collaborative performance, challenging what dance can become.

Beyond the Canvas

The Current Voice

The dance films #METOO, The (Im)mature Conversation and 5 Stages of Grief have shaped her latest work. These works weave global influences into a mature, layered vision that defines her art today.

Recognized Worldwide

FESTIVALS, AWARDS & SCREENINGS
• Short Film Factory (New York, Boston, New
Orleans, Chicago, San Diego & San
Francisco) - Award Winner
• Paris Play Film festival (Paris) - Award
Winner Best Dance
• LAFA (Los Angeles) - Award Winner
• Lady Filmmakers Festival (Beverly Hills)
• New Renaissance (Amsterdam)
• Experimental Dance Music Film Festival
(Toronto)
• Frostbite Indie Fest (Colorado)
• Film & Performance - Verhalenhuis Haarlem
• Double Bill Film & Performance - Schuur
(Haarlem)
• Dansdagen Haarlem Film & Performance -
Schuur (Haarlem)
• ZERO PLUS International Film Festival
(Tyumen)
• Provadja Danst - Best Choreography Award
by Krisztina de Châtel (Alkmaar)

To the Beginning

The Story Continues

In her studio today, each new choreography begins with a different art form, transforming into movement. Discover, collect, or collaborate — the journey is still unfolding.

Martine van Santen

Work About Contact

Choreographies:

2025: #METOO film and performance, Musa International Art, Paris

2025: ‘5 Stages of Grief’ film and performance, Theater de Liefde Haarlem

2025: #METOO Dansdagen Haarlem, Schuur

2024: ‘Het (On)volwassen Gesprek – Do you dare to play?’ Schuur Haarlem

2024: ‘Ballet Boléro’ Schuur, Haarlem

2022: ‘Silver Moon’ Verhalenhuis, Haarlem
2022: ‘#METOO’ Verhalenhuis, Haarlem

2022: ‘Four Seasons’ De Krakeling, A’dam
2022: ‘The Unknown’, Theater de Luifel, Heemstede
2021: ‘Seed of Memory’ Verhalenhuis, Haarlem
2020: ‘Struggle for Life’ Broedplaats Bogota, A’dam

2019: ‘Odette & Odile’ Toneelschuur, Haarlem
2018: ‘Ave Maria’, Belcanto Haarlem
2018: ‘Shooting Stars’ Toneelschuur, Haarlem
2017: ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ Toneelschuur, Haarlem
2017: ‘Forever 27’ Haarlemmerhout Theater, Haarlem
2016: ‘Consequences Unfold’ Co-productie Gather & DiA, Haarlem
2016: ‘Carmen’ Toneelschuur, Haarlem
2016: ‘Gek, Slecht en Droevig’ Theater de Luifel, Heemstede
2015: ‘Frida Kahlo’ Lichtfabriek, Haarlem
2015: ‘Opening Kunstlijn’ Haarlem Bavokerk
2015: ‘Black Flower White Flower’, Sneak Preview, DiA – DiA Spring 1, Toneelschuur Haarlem.
2014: ‘Duizend Impressies’, De Lichtfabriek, Haarlem
2014: ‘Expectations’, Theater de Luifel, Heemstede
2014: ‘Desire’, Theater de Luifel, Heemstede
2014: ‘De Schoonheid’, De Lichtfabriek, Haarlem
2014: ‘Are we Connected?’, Orangerie, Overveen
2013: ‘Figee aan zee’, DiA
2013: ‘Licht op (,) die fiets!’, Grote Markt Haarlem
2013: Benefiesta, Casa de la Alegría in Bolivia, DiA
2009: ‘Troost’ New English Contemporary Ballet School, Nottingham
2009: ‘Moments in Time’ New English Contemporary Ballet 2, Nottingham
2008: ‘Grenzen’ Dansgroep Haarlem, Toneelschuur
2008: PicturePerfect Dance Productions, Røring Patronaat, Haarlem
2008: ‘Alles berust op evenwicht’ Danswerkplaats (DWP), Haarlem.
2007: ‘4 Solo’s’ DWP Haarlem, Frankrijk
2007: ‘My Grandmère’ DWP Haarlem, Frankrijk.
2006: Mei project DWP Haarlem, France
2006: ‘Closure’ DWP Haarlem
2006: ‘The Eyes’ Dansgroep Haarlem
2005: ‘In Between’, Edinburgh Festival
2005: ‘Eb en Vloed’ Open Dans Podium, Noord Holland Danst
2005: ‘Was ik Maar…’ – Provadja Danst
2005: ‘Het Wonder van de Ontmoeting’ award best choreography, by Krisztina de Châtel

Films:

2024: Het (On)volwassen gesprek – Do you dare to play?

2019: #METOO
2015: The Human Race
2014: A day at the Office

Teaching:
– Rudolf Steiner College
– Tilburg University
– Transvaal College
– Jeugd Theater School, A’dam
– The Company — Cia de Dança Deborah Colker, United Kingdom Tour
– New English Contemporary Ballet
– Danshuis Haarlem

Dance related work:
– Young in Prison
– LeineRoebana
– DansmakerS

Heel kort in het Nederlands

Martine van Santen is de oprichtster en artistiek directeur van de postdoctorale dans opleiding Dance in Art. DiA is een private opleiding voor dans, kunst en performance training.

Carrière Martine van Santen

Van Santen is in 2004 cum laude afgestudeerd in moderne dans, bewegingswetenschappen en choreografie aan de Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds University in de UK. Sindsdien is zij werkzaam geweest voor verschillende freelance projecten en moderne gezelschappen als danseres, choreografe en docent door heel Europa. In 2012 behaalde zij haar master titel voor de opleiding Master of Education in Arts aan de Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, waar DiA aan ten grondslag ligt.

Methodiek van Martine van Santen

De methode die Martine van Santen gebruikt voor het proces van haar choreografieën is het engageren van de dansers op elk mogelijke manier. De dansers werken in opdracht van Martine van Santen, zij vormt en schaaft de bewegingen in een choreografie dat bij de DNA van de danser past. Op die manier wordt de choreografie als een perfect zittende jas één met de danser.