Experience Groeispurt: Elky Rosa Gerritsen & Godelieve Meijers - LEUN

LEUN: a physical performance about dependence, trust, and freedom of choice

LEUN is a physical performance by creators Elky Rosa Gerritsen and Godelieve Meijers that centers on the theme of leaning. Who do you dare to lean on? When are you leaning too much, and when too little? And who actually determines where that line is drawn? In this performance, the creators explore the tension between dependence and independence—both physical and mental—and actively involve the audience in this exploration.

The theme: Between Self-Reliance and Connection

The inspiration for LEUN stems from Elky’s personal journey. She grew up believing that independence equaled strength, and dependence equaled weakness. At the same time, she felt a longing for connection and realized that always doing everything on her own also leads to loneliness. An image from the city provided an important insight: tall buildings remain standing only because they all lean on one another.

Together with Godelieve Meijers, Elky translated this idea onto the stage. Through physical exploration, a performance emerged that explores this theme—not only among the creators themselves, but also in relation to the audience.

Room for Growth Thanks to the Groeispurt

LEUN received a grant from the Groeispurt, which provided more time and flexibility for development during the preliminary phase. That flexibility made it possible to experiment, explore, and work with complete focus. As Elky points out: money creates time and flexibility, and they were able to use those resources strategically to help the work grow.

Artistic Growth and Focus

For Elky, LEUN marked an important step in her artistic development as a creator and performer. The project gave her insight into how she creates, what she wants to create, and where her work fits. During the process, a distinct artistic signature began to emerge.

The creative process took place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with all sorts of restrictions. At the same time, that situation fostered an unprecedented level of focus. That concentrated way of working allowed plenty of room for experimentation and became an essential part of what LEUN ultimately became.

Business Decisions and Leadership

The business side of things ran parallel to the artistic process. Drawing up budgets, searching for performance venues, and applying for grants gave Elky insight into the performing arts field. Although this wasn’t always fun, these processes helped her refine her artistic choices.

By making conscious choices and setting a direction, she felt more in control of her practice. This helped her avoid getting lost in the system and stay on her own course.

About Groeispurt

Groeispurt is a Nijmegen grant program for young creators, artists, and performers. The program encourages new ideas and initiatives and gives young talent an extra boost, without unnecessary restrictions or obligations. It is a flexible and fast way to provide support, encouraging new developments and helping art and culture in Nijmegen continue to flourish.