“I see it as my mission to tell other people’s important stories.”

Merel Nieland is 25 years old, lives in Leeuwarden and graduated from the Academy of Popular Culture in September 2025. In collaboration with various communities, she creates socially conscious performances with an edge. In this interview, she explains why she chose the course, what she has gained from it and what her life is like since leaving the Academy.

Why did you choose the Academy of Popular Culture back then?
“I knew I wanted to do a creative programme at the time, but I wasn’t sure exactly what. Then an acquaintance of mine told me about the Academy of Popular Culture. I couldn’t attend any open days at the time because of the pandemic. So I was really happy to hear about it through acquaintances. The fact that I could try out different disciplines at the Academy and didn’t have to choose just one thing was ultimately the deciding factor. I was really looking forward to experimenting and trying things out.”

How has the Academy for Popular Culture influenced your current work?
“At the Academy, you meet lots of people from different disciplines who work (together) on art and creativity. This has changed my perspective. The scope for experimentation also helped me develop my own signature style. In my work, I look for a sharp, social dimension. I find it interesting to leave the audience with a sense of unease. My theatre pushes the boundaries of what’s comfortable. My aim is to actively get the audience thinking. For example, for my final-year project, I created a performance together with newcomers. I think it’s important that their stories are told. Through performances, I can offer people a platform they might not otherwise have had.”

What are you currently working on?
“After finishing my studies, I started working at Buddy to Buddy in Groningen. This is an organisation that pairs newcomers with a local resident from the same town or village with whom they share interests. I’ve also just created a new family show called OPERATION PLOP. It’s about the bubbles we live in and how we react to the unknown. During the show, adults are invited to look at things through a childlike, curious lens.”

What is your advice for (future) students at the Academy of Popular Culture?
“Don’t be afraid to experiment and share your work with others, even if it’s not finished yet. That way, you can help each other grow. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back.”

What is your dream for the coming years?
“I think it would be fantastic to create theatre for young people: educational performances on themes that are relevant today. It would also be brilliant to be able to showcase my work at Oerol!”