1970 - 1980
Passing on the baton
Having been the Artistic Director for 25 years, Hans Snoek is leaving Scapino Ballet. She is succeeded by the Argentinian Armando Navarro. Scapino ballet becomes more classical and the quality of dance increases under his guidance. He attracts well-known and unknown choreographers who work with the ballet dancers at Scapino. He gives young choreographers a chance to gain experience. And he lets experienced choreographers challenge his dancers so they can develop their skills, talent and explore their physical boundaries.
25 years of Scapino!
Scapino celebrates its 25th anniversary in RAI Amsterdam, with performances Shreds (Snippers) by Hans van Manen and An ear for an ear (Oor om Oor) by Armando Navarro. This anniversary is extra special because Hans Snoek is saying goodbye to Scapino. Armando Navarro succeeds her as Artistic Director. This is a major change for Scapino. From now on performances are not only made for young people, but for an audience of all ages.
New artistic director: Armando Navarro
The new artistic director Armando Navarro kicks off the season with Coppelia, a show that has been danced by Scapino in the past. With this adjustment Navarro shows his talent to transform classic fairytales into more accessible ballet for children. Coppelia will be put on stage again at many occasions in the future.
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1972Relocating
In 1972 Scapino moves from the Hortusplantsoen to a new location at the Luchtvaartstraat in Amsterdam. Scapino simply cannot wait with the rehearsals until the constructions are done – the dance company does not want to take a break. The festive opening is on 8 September, coinciding with the first night of Bach Brandenburg Drie by the American dancer and choreographer Charles Czarny. [photo Jorge Fatauros] -
Armando Navarro
Artistic director -
1973A Sunny Day by Charles Czarny
On 16 September 1973 A Sunny Day (Zonnige Dag) premiers. It is directed by the American dancer and choreographer Charles Czarny. Joop Stokvis designs the refined costumes. Dutch newspaper Het Parool writes about the performance: ‘At the end of the show, there were well-deserved standing ovations, bravo’s and flowers for Scapino Ballet and for the maker of Sunny Day (Zonnige Dag) Charles Czarny.’ [photo Jorge Fatauros] -
1974Half a symphony
Scapino opens the season with Half a symphony (Halve symphonie), a new choreography by Armando Navarro. Former Scapino dancer Ine Rietstap writes about it in Dutch national newspaper NRC Handelsblad and she describes the performance as ‘a great addition for Scapino’. In 1985 Half a symphony is part of the anniversary program danced in the City Theater Amsterdam for Dutch Queen Beatrix. [photo Jorge Fatauros] -
Aart Verstegen
Artistic director -
197530 years of Scapino!
Scapino celebrates its 30th anniversary with The Nutcracker (De Notenkraker). This is a bold decision because this classical dance has never been performed in its entirety in the Netherlands. It’s a great success: Scapino will perform this show for the next 15 years as its Christmas ballet. [photo Jorge Fatauros]
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1976Carambole
Scapino starts the new theater season with Carambole by Jose Gutierrez, performed by Scapino 10. Scapino 10 is a group of ten young dancers who visit schools, teach dance classes and give demonstrations – a way of introducing ballet dance to many children. [photo Jorge Fatauros] 
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1977Opportunities for young makers
Scapino has a nose for remarkably talented young makers. They are often given the opportunity to create a ballet for the large theatre hall. One of these young talents is Hans Teurlings who makes his first performance for Scapino in 1977: Masquerade. [photo Jorge Fatauros] -
1978A new Christmas ballet: Cinderella
Navarro’s The Nutcracker (De Notenkraker) has given Scapino a taste for more. So Navarro creates another dance show for the Christmas holidays: Cinderella (Assepoester). Wim Bijmoer, a well-known designer of decors and sets for popular television series such as Ja Zuster - Nee Zuster, Stille Kracht and Tijl Uilenspiegel, creates the impressive décor. The American dancer Janet Popeleski, who danced the part of the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker gets to dance the main part. [photo Jorge Fatauros]
Joy of the Street Organ
With the arrival of ballet master Nils Christe, the work of Scapino becomes more modern. Christe’s first performance at Scapino is The Joy of the Street Organ (Pretpierement): it’s a cheerful ballet with organ music and Tom Schenk designs the stage set. In the future, Christe will be the successor of Creative Director Armando Navarro.
photo Jorge Fatauros
1980 - 1990
Modern dance is becoming more popular
Modern ballet is now an established part of the world of dance in the Netherlands. During this time, many new choreographers appear on stage in the case of Scapino. There is a multitude of styles in terms of design, music and choreography. Time and time again, the ballet dancers are challenged to adjust to the new demands of choreographers.
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198035 years of Scapino!
A great party at the City Theatre in Amsterdam! Scapino celebrates its 30th anniversary with Armando Navarro’s Clowns. Both the decors and the costumes are designed by Wim Bijmoer. Even though the critics say that this performance is ‘more theater than dance’, Clowns receives a lot of praise. [photos Jorge Fatauros] 
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1981Humoresque
Armando Navarro creates the dance performance Humoresque. Dancers of the ‘large’ Scapino dance company perform together with Scapino 10, a group of 10 young dancers who mainly focus on ballet for school pupils. Each group of dancers has its own repertoire within this show. [photo Jorge Fatauros] -
1982Saving energy
Commissioned by the Dutch Foundation for Saving Energy (Voorlichting Energiebesparing) Nils Christe creates a performance about saving energy: When it runs out, it runs out (Op is op). Christe really doesn’t make it easy for himself in this ballet. [photo Jorge Fatauros]
Sweetphony
Sweetphony (Snoepfonie) is a ballet by Christe about sweets. Tom Schenk creates the striking costumes: the upper body of various dancers is covered in sweet wrappers, such as a roll of peppermints, and they mainly dance with their legs only.
40 years of Scapino!
To mark our 40th anniversary, there is a wonderful gala at the City Theater Amsterdam on 15 November 1985. Dutch Queen Beatrix is the guest of honour and together with the other members in the audience she really enjoys the work by Armando Navarro, Jiří Kylián, Rudi van Dantzig and Toer van Schayk.
photo Simon Pot
Pulcinella
Nils Christe becomes co-Artistic Director at Scapino Ballet. This season he is the choreographer of Pulcinella who is also a figure of the Italian Commedia dell’Arte theatre tradition just like ‘Scapino’. This ballet was performed by Scapino in the past, but directed by Fernand Daudey.
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1988Planning to relocate to Rotterdam
After lots of hesitation, Scapino decides to move to Rotterdam. It takes a few years before the actual move takes place, but from 1988 Scapino is the official dance company of Theater Rotterdam (formerly known as Rotterdamse Schouwburg). [photo Rob Bogaerts] -
Nils Christe
Artistic director
Ed Wubbe's first work for Scapino
After Bagatellen in 1987, the second dance performance by dance rand choreographer Ed Wubbe premiers: Blue Tattoo. ‘I still want to learn a great deal,’ says Ed Wubbe at a conference about choreography in Lisbon, Portugal. ‘Trying many different things and then perhaps I will truly find my own style in the future.’ With Blue Tattoo he also tries something new, by creating his first ballet for dancers on pointe.
photo Jorge Fatauros
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1989A new direction
Armando Navarro leaves Scapino and the dance company changes its course of direction. The dance is becoming increasingly modern and education is organized differently within Scapino. The ballet classes and demonstrations are no longer organized at schools. However, the department of education remains active within Scapino Ballet. 
1990 - 2000
Everything changes
Scapino moves from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. Aiming to become an important player in this international port city, Scapino is looking for a new audience. Not only young people, but everyone is invited to meet the brand new dance company in Rotterdam. Choreographer Ed Wubbe becomes the Artistic Director and conquers the world of ballet with his expressive and thematic performances. He works closely together with dancers and gives them the opportunity to show their artistic side.
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1990Rameau, Ed Wubbe's first ballet
Rameau is Ed Wubbe’s official first ballet now that he has been appointed as house choreographer at Scapino. Wubbe shows what he has in mind for Scapino. He creates a contemporary dance performance full of energy with its baroque music and the theme of the French Revolution. [photo Hans Gerritsen] -
1992Financial setbacks for Scapino
Over the years, Scapino is facing many financial setbacks. This season, major financial problems come to light again. The dance company needs to be restructured. Creative Director Nils Christe leaves Scapino this season. [photo Hans Gerritsen]
Moving to Rotterdam
The year 1992 is one of the milestones of Scapino. This is the year when the dance company moves from Amsterdam to Rotterdam after 50 years. Ed Wubbe is appointed as Creative Director. He changes the course of direction of Scapino. The brand new repertoire is contemporary and modern. Kathleen is the name of his first dance performance in his new role as Creative Director. This is a raw group performance and an urban, metropolitan statement that suits the city of Rotterdam. A new dancer joins Scapino: Bonnie Doets.
[photos Hans Gerritsen]
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1994New location
Scapino finally moves into the new studios in the NDU-building on Eendrachtsstraat in Rotterdam after a long search for the best possible place and after renovating and reconstructing the new location. On 5 September 1994 Scapino rehearses here for the first time. From this moment on we call ourselves Scapino Rotterdam. The addition ‘Ballet’ is left out for now. -
Ed Wubbe
Artistic director
Disclaimer
With this timeline, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam wants to paint a picture of its 75th anniversary. We do not have the ambition, nor the means to be complete. In the unlikely event that you discover an error or see a major omission, please contact us.
Imagery
Scapino Ballet Rotterdam has done its utmost to trace the sources and rights holders of the visual material that is used. If, nevertheless, images are shown of which you are the (co-)owner and for the use of which you have not given permission, you can contact us.
Photography chapters: Hans van den Busken (1950s), Jorge Fatauros (1980s), Hans Gerritsen (1990s), Joris Jan Bos (1900s), Eric Fecken (1910s). The photographers of the other photos are unknown.
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