The theatre collective STAN, an acronym for Stop Thinking About Names, was founded in 1989 by Jolente De Keersmaeker, Damiaan De Schrijver, Waas Gramser, and Frank Vercruyssen, who met at the Antwerp Conservatory. In 1992, Sara De Roo joined the collective. In 1994, Waas Gramser left STAN to establish her own company. In 2018, Sara De Roo also departed to pursue her own path. At the Conservatory, Matthias de Koning from Maatschappij Discordia had introduced them to a different, less dogmatic vision of theater.

STAN stands for text theatre and has built up an extensive and diverse repertoire. High on their list are works by classical playwrights such as Chekhov, Gorky, Schnitzler, Ibsen, Bernhard, and Pinter. STAN brings these historical texts into the present by reinterpreting them and placing them in contemporary contexts. In addition to the great classics, STAN also frequently stages work by contemporary authors such as Yasmina Reza, Jon Fosse, and Marius von Mayenburg, and commissions texts from writers like Willem de Wolf, Tiago Rodrigues, and Annelies Verbeke. They also create text collages, drawing from plays, short stories, sketches, film scripts, philosophical treatises, and novels.

STAN operates on the belief that theater is not an elitist art form but rather a critical reflection on how we live, our convictions, concerns, and indignation. The global repertoire provides unique insights into the human condition and offers keys to understanding the complexity of the world. STAN often embraces the paradox of comedy, where humor and lightness make tragedy more palpable and intense. Each member of STAN is part of the collective while also pursuing their own artistic path. The search for shared affinities goes hand in hand with the necessity to collaborate and interact with guest performers and other companies.

STAN has frequently collaborated with Maatschappij Discordia (NL), Dood Paard (NL), Compagnie De KOE, Olympique Dramatique, and Rosas. STAN occupies a distinctive position in the Dutch-speaking theater landscape but is also a sought-after guest abroad. Over the past thirty years, the collective has built a strong repertoire of multilingual productions, touring extensively in Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Norway) and intercontinentally (Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Québec). They perform not only translated versions of their Dutch-language productions, but also French- and English-language creations produced abroad. France has become a second home for STAN, thanks to close ties with Théâtre Garonne in Toulouse and the Festival d’Automne à Paris.

Dear colleagues, theatre makers, theatre enthusiasts, and friends,

In 2019, an incident of transgressive behaviour occurred within STAN’s working environment: Frank Vercruyssen took inappropriate pictures of his fellow actress in her dressing room without her consent. After an internal report, STAN closely followed the advice of the Genderkamer (Flemish governmental organisation that handles gender discrimination complaints.) at the time to address the confirmed transgressive behaviour. These steps are in line with what the recently published “toolbox against transgressive behaviour” in the arts sector prescribes in Flanders. They included: mediation through Genderkamer, the appointment of an external confidential counsellor in addition to the intervention of the internal counsellor, a thorough review and tightening of STAN’s policy regarding transgressive behaviour, open communication with staff members, and a settlement with the plaintiff. In addition, precautionary measures were agreed upon with Frank Vercruyssen: he was suspended from his duties for eight months and has been receiving professional guidance in this context.

Although a settlement was reached with the plaintiff in July 2021, Frank Vercruyssen was informed in the summer 2022 that an official complaint was filed against him. The details of the complaint were not disclosed due to the confidentiality of the ongoing investigation. It was then decided that Frank would not perform on stage until a judicial ruling was made. In September 2023, Frank Vercruyssen, together with his lawyer, was able to review the case file and found that additional accusations had been added to the complaint. Pending the court’s decision, Frank Vercruyssen resigned from all his roles within STAN by mutual agreement.

On 17 January 2024, the chamber of council decided not to prosecute Frank Vercruyssen for the additional charges. The complaint of voyeurism was referred to the criminal court. On March 27, both parties defended their case before the Correctional Court. Frank Vercruyssen “acknowledged his guilt and immediately took responsibility, sought professional help, and has been receiving professional guidance on his own initiative” (statement from the Court of First Instance). On April 23, the criminal court found Frank Vercruyssen guilty of voyeurism. However, “the court believes that granting a suspension is an appropriate response to the facts” (statement from the Court of First Instance). And thus no further punishment was imposed on him.

With these three aspects – the acknowledgment of guilt and expression of regret by Frank Vercruyssen, the sanctions imposed by STAN, and a settlement signed with the plaintiff in July 2021 – STAN has taken its responsibility. Starting from the 2024-2025 season, Frank Vercruyssen joined STAN again. STAN explicitly condemns all forms of transgressive behaviour and will always take responsibility to ensure a safe working environment. For further questions, you can always contact us or our confidential counsellor Krisje Scheurweghs ([email protected] ) or general manager ([email protected]).

Kind regards,

STAN