It began with research - reading articles, learning the laws. Then moving to conversations with ritual designers and celebrants. Then talking to people who provided care in the palliative stage or who've cared for a loved one themselves. Finally, we began speaking to those who's death was near or being planned for. At each stage of these conversations, I was scared. Scared to read about the details of euthanasia. Scared to be thought a fraud when moving into the ritual space. Scared to ask or say the wrong thing of someone who works in care. Scared to simply be with someone who was in pain, and was getting ready, each in their own was, for that pain to stop.Along with Gerben Tuin, I learnt that each of those things isn't something to be scared of. In fact, it's that fear that stops so much conversation and recognition from happening. If we want to understand whatever can be understood, to say what needs to be said, to hear what needs to be heard in the last phase of someone's life, we first need ways to allow those things to take place. By engaging with this subject, I've come to see death and dying differently. By making and performing Pogingen Tot Afscheid, I want to share that with people who need it. It's emotional, yes, but that's the point. It just doesn't have to be as scary as we make it.

Actor, Writer and Director for Orange Theatre Company. Work across comedy, drama, and contemporary plays including new writing and developing new talent.