Theater brings museums stories and themes to life. Through performances or moving characters, visitors not only gain information but also experience a deeper, emotional connection with the subject. This inspires and encourages visitors to reflect and take action, making a museum visit unforgettable.
We create customized Museum Theater, fully aligned with the exhibition's message and objectives. With humor, wonder, and a personal approach, we make every visit a memorable experience.
See the options below:
Theatre as a powerful tool to connect, inform and touch.
Customized educational theater performances offer museums the opportunity to bring their themes and stories to life in a unique and impactful way. By appealing to the heart rather than just the head, they create a deeper emotional connection with the subject.
We can assist with writing, designing and/or directing the performance, including fully managing the production, including having professional actors perform the performance.
Features of custom theatre:

Museon-Omniversum
GREAT HOPE Science Show (2024)
With content input from Museon-Omniversum, we wrote and performed the show. It ties in with the One Planet NOW! exhibition. The show uses humorous and interactive storytelling to introduce families to the waste problem and how we can learn from nature for solutions. <More info>
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
POISON (2017)
We directed and trained the Educational Supervisors for the show and demonstrations that tied in with the exhibition "POISON".
NEMO Science Museum
Robots! (2022)
Super View (2021)
Exciting Stream (2019)
As an employee of the NEMO Science Museum, Ruud wrote the script and trained the audience guides for the three performances mentioned above.
Sjors and Ruud bring a lot of energy and creativity and always put a smile on the faces of parents and children. Everyone stays engaged at the Science Show. We also worked very well together during the development of the Science Show, with excellent and clear communication.
With freely roaming characters in the museum, it's possible to add emotional meaning to the still objects in the display cases. The actors can encourage visitors to take action and reflect further on specific topics, enriching the visitor experience.
We can also help shape the precise interpretation of these actors, right up to the full production. This includes the character's appearance and design, the type of interaction they have with the audience, and the educational and substantive content of the role.
Characteristics of actors on location:
Sonnenborgh Museum and Observatory
Summer Evenings (2024, 2025)
During the summer evenings, a character was present to encourage visitors to reflect. In 2024, about our place in the universe, and in 2025, about our relationship with flora.
City Museum Harderwijk
Museum Night (2023, 2024, 2025)
During the museum night, three different characters walked around, welcoming visitors within the theme of the evening, telling stories and encouraging visitors to undertake various activities.
Graafschap College
Sector Day (2024)
Two characters welcomed the teachers to encourage their enthusiasm and active participation.
The use of actors during Museum Night '24 was a fantastic addition. They brought the city's history to life, created surprising moments, and sent visitors home with a smile and lasting memories. A true asset to our team!
Sjors & Ruud developed a unique, custom-made street theater act for our museum summer festival—funny, playful, and reflective at the same time. They listened carefully to our wishes and added their own creative touch. It's a surprising and inspiring addition to the museum experience!
At Sjors & Ruud Theatermakers, we also create our own theater productions. Below you'll find our current productions available for booking.

There is a movie playing on the screen and you want your audience's attention, what now? This can be in a presentation, but can also be as a guide at a museum. The visitor's eye is drawn by the movement in the image. So make sure the audience can't look at the screen by having them turn around. They also look where you are looking. So when you, as a presenter, look at the screen, the audience will follow your gaze. If you look people in the eyes, they won't be able to ignore your gaze and look at you.
If you stand on the street and look up, people around you will watch. Your strong focus affects the focus of the people around you. So if you want their eyes on something on stage, look for yourself.
You can stop and think about something and say something in passing. These expressions literally indicate how (no) movement has meaning while telling a story. We are used to a story going from left to right. We find it exciting when someone comes forward, approaches you. Polar bears are tiring to watch. Someone who just stands stock still loses attention.
If you play someone who has a lot of power, you move in a controlled manner. Once you have a sentence for your audience that summarizes the purpose of your story, pause.
Articulation, voice volume, speed, all tools to make your story reach the audience more clearly. Silence, between words or sentences, can give so much more meaning to the message you have. Shouting requires attention, but you demand attention if you speak clearly and distinctly. By completing your sentences, down to the last word, the importance of saying these sentences becomes clearer to the audience.
You can distort your voice to play a role. The challenge often lies in being able to keep this up. For a presentation it is especially important that you are understandable. Articulation is more important than voice volume.
Standing behind a lectern feels safe. Clear spot on the stage and you can be sure you won't get lost. But if you have a PowerPoint, it is sometimes nice to stand next to it so that the audience can look at it. Sometimes you just want the attention and it is better to stand in front of it. You can also place your audience around you like an arena. You are then the center and the audience also sees each other. And if you turn on a movie, you can also sit in the audience.
In the theater the stage starts in the wings, even there something can happen. During presentations, only a small part of the stage is often used. While with the right movement you can fill the entire space.
Being aware of how you stand, where your hands are, whether your legs are crossed or wide, whether you are standing upright or leaning to one side. One is not always better than the other, but you do communicate with it.
If you play a character, you look for an exaggerated attitude. If you want to appear confident, relax and discover how you stand upright.