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November 27, 2020

‘The inclusiveness is in welcoming myself to the field’

Harun BalciArnhem School of Acting: ‘I used to play characters with my little brother and little sister. Then, wrapped in a blanket, we were different characters. The urge to act was always there. I started drama class and after a while I studied at the Utrecht school of acting, but I soon took a gap year. I was insecure and searching. Searching for the school of acting that really suited me, until a former lecturer at the school of acting in Utrecht introduced me to the talent development house DOX. DOX rekindled the flame. There was a different way of approaching things and I felt secure there. Then I soon started auditioning again. 

Feeling uncertain ultimately gives you a lot of strength and insight. Sometimes you need a setback to get back on your feet.

I had a slight preference for the school of acting in Arnhem or Amsterdam, but went into it with an open mind. I was more critical myself: ‘Suppose they want me, do I? I need the course so I can grow.’ The auditions at ArtEZ made me feel I had to go to Arnhem. Auditions are intense, educational and fun. There are three rounds. The first round was one day and the second and third rounds were together in one week. You are given homework and improvisation assignments, vocal lessons, film analysis, monologues, dialogues and an interview. I really liked that so many people were there and watching. There were even students with whom I could discuss things afterwards. It is valuable to share your experiences with the group. I felt secure at the school of acting and the nice atmosphere I generally felt throughout the course. 

I came in very critical. A little suspicious, even. Not only of the course, but also of myself.

I didn’t want to jump the gun, but I was very happy to have been accepted. I couldn’t believe it. It felt like a sign, that it had to happen. Actually, it made me go into it with a very open mind. Very consciously. I could open myself to the group more. I was also challenged communicatively: ‘Say what you want to say.’ I found that difficult, because I was busy with the course and less with showing myself. I was still busy with what the course gives, but searching for what I gave. By reflecting a lot you are encouraged to say exactly what you think. In the end, I found my strength and stimulation in the question ‘What do I want to make?’

I wanted to make something that wasn’t immediately Chekhov, Shakespeare or a white classic. That’s the feeling I had.

Britney Spears

From the question ‘What do I want to make?’ I came up with the idea of making a performance about Britney Spears. People laughed at first and I thought ‘That’s going to be a solo’. But there was an exchange student from Ghent and a student who thought my project was interesting and changed groups. They wanted to join and thought the idea was cool.  
 
The play is about three farm boys with a shed – ‘the Britney shed’ – where they adore Britney Spears. One of the guys finally says ‘Sorry, I’m not feeling this.’ It’s about meaning, peer pressure and being honest with someone who thinks differently. It was indirectly about me. Pop culture seemed almost impossible to combine with school, but the reactions to the piece were surprising and it felt right to me. That was the starting point of mixing my own interests with my acting and school of acting. Then came inclusiveness conversations. About the school of acting and how we treat each other. I liked that, because it’s quite a white school of acting.’.

From Turkey With Love

That is the name of Harun’s graduation show. ‘My graduation show is – poetically – a co-production between Dox and ArtEZ. My own identity in acting is the theme. I wrote my own lines for the graduation show, from a trip to Turkey I made with my friend. It’s a kind of a coming-of-age story. I wanted to blend my own interests with professionalism and be more enterprising. That’s why I came up with the lines, the concept and the solo performance all by myself. I also did the technique myself. My graduation has become a Do It Yourself package to challenge myself for when I have to enter the work field later on. 

From Turkey With Love 6
Photography: Bart Grietens

Haruns development in a nutshell

I went from someone who was self-effacing and waited to see which way the wind blows to a person who claimed more space for himself and was open to other people at the same time. That’s where the inclusiveness is: welcoming myself to the field. I love that it coincides with my graduation; I’m literally going from school to the field. 

On the floor, it is important to really be on the floor. It’s going to flow when you start.

After the course…

…I started the Romeo & Juliet rehearsals at International Theatre Amsterdam (ITA). These are now in full swing. Weather permitting, I will start working at DOX as a young maker, to further develop my performance and sell it more often. And there might be a tour of From Turkey With Love, which is also on the back burner due to the measures. Things like that come your way when you talk about your own interests. Remembering who you are is a huge insight. And: don’t discount the pop culture you surround yourself with while studying at an art school. Pop culture is seen as low art, but you should actually use that because it’s so much fun for yourself.’ 

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