You snort a line or watch your friend go down the drain. You'll have the chance to earn thousands of euros by picking up a package or turning a blind eye at the port where you work. Even if you eat blueberries, they were transported along the same routes used by the underworld. Whether you like it or not, you're dealing with drugs.

The compelling theatre and dance performance DOPE shows how drugs connect all layers of our society like an invisible thread. Through dynamic (hip-hop) dance, monologues, and intimate conversations, a drug dealer, a parent, a customs officer, and a user tell the honest story about the role of drugs in their world. For some, that's a party, for others, it's literally the dumpster. Sometimes you're right in the middle of a drug deal. Slowly, you are confronted with the consequences of dreaming of quick money, the allure of social media, the failing poverty policies, and the feeling of many young people that they don't matter.

For DOPE, WAT WE DOEN and the FORT-PORT program conducted research into dilemmas in the fight against drugs in the Netherlands. Based on these findings, WAT WE DOEN and Lloydscompany are collaborating on DOPE. One hour before the theater and dance performance, the FORT-PORT researchers will present the results of this research in an artistic manner—such as through a video, a play, or spoken word. This program is open to the public and free to attend.

Tour date: October through December 2026

About the creators

Evrim Akyigit is a Dutch actress of Turkish descent. She studied at ArtEZ and has an extensive background in theater and television, including roles in Onderweg naar Morgen, Oogappels, Flikken Rotterdam, and De Vuurwerkramp. 

Chiem Vreeken is an actor in theater, film, and television. He has performed in productions by, among others, Het Zuidelijk Toneel and Toneelgroep Oostpool, and has appeared in various films and series such as Free Fight, Flikken, and De Toeslagenaffaire. 

Chivano de Mee is an all-style dancer, performer, and choreographer with a strong hip-hop foundation and experience in house, popping, locking, krump, and breakdance. He studied at the Lucia Marthas Institute for Performing Arts in Amsterdam and ISH Dance Company and is active in both the battle scene and as a judge.  Dorrit Griffioen is a Dutch dancer and choreographer specializing in urban modern dance and hip-hop. After training at the Flow Dance Academy in Paris (2020–2021), Dorrit graduated from the Urban Dance program at the Creative College in Utrecht. In March 2025, she premiered her solo performance “Stilte tussen ons.” 

Credits:

Text and direction: Floris van Delft, WAT WE DOEN

Choreography: Lloyd Marengo, Lloydscompany, in collaboration with the dancers

Assistant choreographer: Angelo Pardo

Actors: Chiem Vreeken and Evrim Akyigit

Dancers: Dorrit Griffioen and Chivano de Mee

Music: HAYP (Alvin Lewis and Patrick Mijnals)

Set design: Robin Vogel

Lighting: Mike den Ottolander

Production management: Pieter-Jan Jacobs and Elise de Fooij

Technical support: Stefan Kelderman and Maarten van der Hoek

Costume design: Lotte Goos

Photo: Mark Engelen

Bookings: info@frontaal.com