About

Arno Schuitemaker (Amsterdam) creates hyperphysical works that fuse dance, performance, influences from the visual arts, and the ethos of club culture. Rooted in contemporary life, each carefully crafted piece explores the intricate interplay between intimacy and collectivity, examining themes of identity, togetherness, loss, perception, and transformation.

Underpinning his work is the driving question: in our hyperconnected yet fragile world, how do our bodies and minds sense events so vast that they tend to slip by unnoticed, yet fundamentally reshape who we are—and how we come together?

In his explorations, choreography serves as a tool for radical reflection, offering alternative perspectives that emerge in powerful performances where flow and evolution—both nuanced and relentless—stir the undercurrent of change. The still is already in motion. The secure is already shifting. The small is already rewriting the world.

Working closely with his team throughout the creative process, Arno queers dance, light, music, scenography, and practices such as voice and video to create seamlessly integrated works where each element elevates and energizes the others.

Through this hybrid approach, he shapes each performance into an immersive experience, merging sensorial embodiment with a commitment to preserving the individuality of each performer. His work invites audiences to engage physically, emotionally, and imaginatively, stepping into a communal space where the forces that shape us become intimately felt.

He has gained international recognition with presentations at renowned festivals and theaters in over 25 countries. After After premiered during Julidans at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam in July 2024 and has been selected as Critic's Choice in Theaterkrant. 30 appearances out of darkness was presented for the first time at the Holland Festival in 2022 and was ranked in the top 5 best performances of the season by de Volkskrant. In October 2019, The Way You Sound Tonight was awarded the 'Zwaan', the most prestigious dance prize in Dutch performing arts in 2019, with the jury stating: “The Way You Sound Tonight is one of those theater experiences you wish could last forever. Schuitemaker succeeds in getting everything perfectly right.”

Other creations include EXIT (2009), TIDE (2011), The Fifteen Project | DUET (2012), I is an Other (2014), Together_till the end (2015), WHILE WE STRIVE (2015), I will wait for you (2016), If You Could See Me Now (2017), and O S C A R (2021).

In the Dutch performing arts magazine Theatermaker, 30 appearances out of darkness, The Way You Sound Tonight, and I will wait for you were selected in the lists of critics as the season’s best performances. tanz magazine selected Arno as one of the most promising artists in their yearbook 2017 and Dance Europe mentioned him as “one of the leading makers in The Netherlands.” He won the Dioraphte Encouragement Award and the 2nd jury prize at [re]connaissance with WHILE WE STRIVE.

Organisation

We believe in equality and embrace people from all walks of life. Be welcome! Check out how to get in touch with us by going to the contact page on the left.

SHARP/ArnoSchuitemaker receives multi-year funding from 2025 to 2028 by Amsterdam Fund for the Arts. Members of the board are Neeltje Holland (chair), Elsbeth Habets (treasurer), Stephanie ter Brake (general member), Jan-Bert Vroege (general member). The board does not receive any fees.

SHARP/ArnoSchuitemaker has an ANBI Charitable status:
RSIN-nummer 820422939
Activities 2021-2024 in Dutch
Yearly report 2023 in Dutch
ANBI form 2023
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SHARP/ArnoSchuitemaker endorses the Dutch CAO Toneel en Dans labour agreement.

Photo left: Desiré van den Berg