Kings... Come Home
North American Premiere
Upcoming Production
March 5, 2025 - March 16, 2025
KINGS…come home tells the story of a family in search of a new home. After leaving their original home, they embark on a journey to find prosperity, opportunity, and safety. They discover a house in the middle of a field, move in, and create their utopia—until the walls begin to shift, and the house gradually falls apart. As their journey continues, we witness the enduring effects of their constant displacement and how it reshapes their reality.
KINGS…come home delves into the echoes of migration, born from a myriad of social and economic trials. It traces the deep-seated ties between migration and the enduring shadows of our colonial past. Whether spurred by climate change, the fires of war, or the weight of institutional racism, it is the unseen barriers that guide both their departure as well as their arrival. The play raises a crucial question: “How does the sustained experience of displacement and uprooting shape the search for a true home for both individuals and families?”
Co-production with KIP REPUBLIC

Ira Kip
Conceiver / Co-Director
Ira Kip Ira Kip is a global storyteller, theater director, writer, and educator. Born and raised in Amsterdam with Caribbean roots, she studied at the Theater School of Amsterdam and earned her MFA in Directing in New York from the New School for Drama in 2009. In 2010, Ira co-founded the Art & Educational project Art Rules with her twin sister Ayra. Ira’s work often explores her Caribbean heritage and community dynamics, with notable plays like “She’Baltimore” (2011), “Shrew Her” (2016), and “Riot or Revolution” (2017). In 2018, together with her sisters Ayra Kip, launched KIP Republic, a creative agency. Ira’s latest play, “KINGS…come home,” will premiere in the Netherlands in 2024 and in New York in 2025. She also teaches at various arts universities and contributes to several cultural publications.”

Winston ‘Winne” Bergwijn
Co - Director
Winston ‘Winne” Bergwijn started rapping in English, initially under the name Static, until his friends encouraged him to rap in Dutch. With his group D.C.O., he performed at various locations in Rotterdam. In 2005, Winne suddenly became known to a wider audience when his track “Top 3 MC”, produced by Kapitein Mo, was released on the internet. A few months later, the track “Pomp Die Shit!” was released on the compilation album What’s da Flavor?!, which left its mark on the Dutch hip hop scene. In 2006, he was signed by the label TopNotch. In 2007, he released his debut EP Onoverwinnelijk, which included the tracks “Top 3 MC”, “Pomp die Shit!” and “Begrijp me niet verkeerd”. He has won the State Award in 2008 for the best music video of that year. In 2009, he followed up with his debut studio album Winne Zonder Strijd. The album contained the live and internet hits “W.I.N.N.E.”, “Alles Wat Ik Wil” featuring GMB and “Lotgenoot”. The same year he released the compilation mixtape So So Lobi, in collaboration with Patta. In 2011, he was seen with Henny Vrienten of Doe Maar in an episode of Ali B op volle toeren.
Contributing Writers

Munganyende
Munganyende Hélène Christelle (born 1993, Kigali) is a writer, professor of Beyoncéology at ArtEZ academy, and organizer of womanist interventions that highlight the experiences of black women and refugee daughters. She writes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction and has received numerous accolades, including the Unesco Literature Prize, ELLE 30, and VOGUE Voices.Munganyende serves as the chairwoman of the Steenbergen Stipendium photography prize and is a fellow at De Groene Amsterdammer. Her debut novel will be published by Pluim Publishers. Munganyende has participated in residencies in Cape Town and Accra and is an important voice of her generation. In 2024 they were part of the LOATAD Black Atlantic residency program in Accra. She lives between Dakar, Brussels, and Amsterdam, and prefers the pronoun "rich auntie."

Veronique Efomi
Veronique Efomi is a poet, writer, and songwriter whose work delves into themes of freedom, vulnerability, relationships, and transience. Nominated for the Gelderse Bokaal in 2023 by Het Cultuurfonds, she has made a significant impact on the cultural scene. In 2024, she released her third album, Herder, blending poetry and music.Veronique's creations, often true stories with unexpected twists and layers of meaning, merge words and sound to create immersive experiences. Her albums are “musical poetry collections” that engage multiple senses and encourage reflection. Veronique is also a published author, with her debut book, Rijker Dan De Koning, a collection of autobiographical stories and poems written in a contemporary, flowing rhythm. Through her work, Veronique crafts narratives that challenge, move, and inspire.

Smita James
Smita James (born 1983, Nijkerk, The Netherlands) is a Surinamese-Dutch writer, poet, and performance artist. Since 2002, she has performed on notable stages like Re-definition and Poetry International, emerging from the Dutch underground spoken word scene. Her work explores identity, metaphysics, and the Afro- and Indo-Caribbean diaspora.Smita has contributed to several publications, including Hardop and Atlas of Remembrance. She also collaborates with artists across disciplines, creating interdisciplinary art in the form of music, theater, dance, and film. As a Poetic Designer, Smita uses her texts as a foundation for audiovisual art installations, voice-overs, music, theater, dance, and film. Her work continuously expands the possibilities of poetic storytelling, blending tradition with innovation to challenge and inspire.
Cast

Ayesha Jordan
Ayesha Jordan is a multidisciplinary performance artist and creator. She was awarded a Princeton Hodder Fellowship for the development of her project Shasta Geaux Pop presents: Shasta Greaux Crops, which explores applied permaculture, regenerative community formation, and performance methodologies. Her other works include Gather (g)Round series, Shasta Geaux Pop: Blended Therapy (in collaboration with Justin Hicks and David Sainté), and several performances at The Shed, The High Line, and festivals in NYC, Amsterdam, and beyond.In addition to her work as a creator, Ayesha has acted in Broadway’s Eclipsed at The John Golden Theatre and in productions like Failure Sandwich, Ludic Proxy, Home, and Platonov: Or the Disinherited. She also developed the video project Living Room Dance Breaks. Ayesha’s diverse body of work blends performance with community-building and innovative exploration of themes like adaptation, interaction, and personal expression.

Daniel Pando
Daniel Pando, known artistically as Daliss, is a multifaceted performer blending music, theater, and fashion into his creative identity. Currently studying at the Herman Brood Academy, he has been making music since 2020. His work is deeply influenced by HIPHOP EARLY 2000s, R&B, Gospel, and Soul, genres that shape his distinctive sound and artistic vision.Beyond his music career, Daliss is also a dedicated social worker and a sought-after model, having collaborated with brands such as Daily Paper, Bijenkorf, Vogue, and Go-Britain. His versatility extends to the stage, where he has performed at renowned venues like Paradiso, Tivoli, Melkweg, and 013, captivating audiences with his energy and storytelling. His breakout single, "Niet Spelen," showcases his ability to merge personal narratives with rhythm and soul. Whether through music, performance, or visual expression, Daliss is an artist ready to make a lasting impact—one song, one show, and one story at a time.

Giovanni Pisas
Giovanni Pisas is a professional dancer and movement artist, blending urban and contemporary dance with storytelling. He graduated from the Urban/Contemporary (JMD) program at the Academy of Theatre and Dance in 2019 and has performed with companies such as Dalton Jansen Choreography, Wij Zijn Dox, Backbone, Kip Republic, and the National Black Theatre.Known as “The Floor Philosopher” in the contemporary and hip-hop scenes, Giovanni blends breakdancing's raw power with modern dance’s introspective grace. His viral freestyle routine Spin Cycle Serenade, performed in a laundromat, turned an everyday chore into an emotional journey. Currently, Giovanni is working on The Chronicles of Pop & Flow, a three-hour dance epic blending hip-hop and contemporary styles to explore the question: “Can you Dougie your way to inner peace?” Giovanni continues to redefine dance, merging technique with emotional expression in every performance.

Melvin Aroma
Born and raised in Rotterdam, Melvin Aroma is a versatile performer who brings depth, emotion, and musicality to the stage. A graduate of the Drama & Contemporary Music Theatre program in Amsterdam, he has collaborated with various theater companies, continuously exploring new ways to tell stories that resonate.With a voice that can stir the soul, Melvin has a gift for tapping into the emotional core of a performance, fully immersing himself in the moment. Whether through spoken word, song, or movement, he creates experiences that transcend the stage, forging a deep connection with his audience. Always seeking new challenges, Melvin embraces storytelling as an evolving art form, blending theater and music to push creative boundaries. His artistry is rooted in authenticity, bringing a rich, dynamic presence to every role he embodies.

Revé Terborg
Revé Terborg is a versatile performer, choreographer, and movement artist with a global career. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Jazz & Showmusical Dance from the Amsterdam University of the Arts in 2011, she toured internationally, collaborating with renowned choreographers like Ira Kip, Wim Vandekeybus, Keren Levi, and Nicole Beutler. Her dynamic stage presence and artistic expression have made her a prominent figure in the world of contemporary dance.In addition to her dance career, Revé is an experienced DJ and Dance Coach, creating Energy Systema, a unique methodology that merges music and movement to uplift and transform energy. Through dance classes, immersive parties, and her DJ sets, she empowers others to reconnect with their natural energy and express their fullest potential. Her work blends artistry and empowerment, making movement a transformative tool for self-expression and personal growth.

Rubiën Vyent
Rubiën Vyent (b. 1988, Netherlands), an artist of Surinamese heritage, is known for her versatility in acting, singing, and dancing. With formal training in performing arts and extensive hands-on experience, she has developed a distinctive style that blends emotional depth with bold storytelling.Rubiën’s work spans theater, film, and international campaigns, where she is recognized for her authentic and compelling presence. As a Movement Director and workshop facilitator, she brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to creative projects, emphasizing connection and self-expression. Passionate about creating relatable stories, Rubiën strives to ensure that audiences can see themselves reflected in her work. Guided by her motto, “Dreams increase in value when you act on them”, she is committed to turning vision into action and fostering community through art.

Saron Tesfahuny
Saron Tesfahuney is a theatermaker, educator, and cultural artist focused on Afrocentric storytelling and community empowerment. Born in Eritrea, she arrived in the Netherlands as a refugee at 14, mastering the language and earning degrees in Social Work and Artist Educator in Theater from the University of Arts in Arnhem.As a theatermaker, Saron challenges traditional narratives, embracing the African proverb: "Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter." She creates performances that reclaim silenced histories and overlooked perspectives. Her latest work reimagines the Eritrean coffee ceremony as a ritual that disrupts colonial narratives. Saron is also the co-founder of Café Liffna in Utrecht, a cultural space fostering connection, healing, and exchange. Through storytelling, ritual, and community, she blends expertise in social work, the arts, and entrepreneurship to empower others and honor African heritage.
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