Meet the six all-star directors coming to IMPROotje Amsterdam 2025!

IMPROotje 2025 is gearing up to biggest and most artistically expansive mini festival and IMPRO Amsterdam audition we’ve ever done.

On September 20th and 21st, 40 improvisers from all over the Netherlands will flock to Het Zonnehuis to play never-before-seen shows, each one a totally unique challenge devised by six legendary directors.

Our director roster this year includes superstars spanning comedy, musical improvisation, drama, experimental theatre, and many other artistic disciplines. Ensuring that all six audition shows will be completely different, wondrous to behold, and creative stretches for the performers.

So without further ado, let’s meet the IMPROotje Amsterdam 2025 directors!

Behold! The full IMPROotje Amsterdam 2025 director list!

Stacy Smith

This photo, taken by Wesley Verhoeve, depicts the very real on-stage encounter with Stacey and Jason Sudeikis.

A lifelong improviser and one of the biggest musical theatre nerds on this side of the planet, Stacey Smith spreads boundless joy to audiences, students, and members of every single improv community.

Recognized for her enduring positivity, explosively silly shows, and work ethic that makes the rest of us tired by association, Stacey has been a professional improviser for nearly 20 years.

She’s currently the Director of Education at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam and frequently performs as a main stage cast member. Stacey is also the creator of Stacejam, an improvised solo musical extravaganza that has earned her critical acclaim and heaps of giggles.

Her credits include institutions like The Second City, ComedySportz, ImprovBoston, iO Chicago, and too many festivals to count (including her own, the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival).

We’re so gosh darned lucky to have Stacey goofing off with us this year!

lena breuer

Photographer Alex Shura catching an “oh I didn’t see you there” moment.

Lena Breuer is the founder of Impro Köln. She is an actress, presenter, trainer, journalist, author and organizational talent with a passion.

As managing director, Lena pulls the strings, is the artistic director of Impro Köln, runs courses and performs on stage herself. She also works as a trainer for communication and creativity with national and international clients and travels to improv festivals worldwide.

Lena is also the co-founder of one of the largest international improv festivals in Germany - www.improfestonline.de.

If you’re a fan of real, emotional scenes, stories with attitude, and unparalleled shenanigans, then you’re probably as pumped as we are to see what happens when her directorship arrives at IMPROotje.

billy kissa

Billy thinking, “why I never!” Exquisite photo by Daniel Brooks.

Billy Kissa is a Greek actress and improviser currently making folks laugh and learn in Brussels.

A graduate of the Theater of Arts, Karolos Koun in Athens, Billy works as a professional actress in scripted theatre, as well as an improv teacher and performer. Throughout her storied career, she’s traveled the world mastering her craft, from Meisner to improv for young adults.

Billy has worked with refugees at the Greek Council for Refugees, is part of the SIN (a European improv network), and is the director of the all female show “Huntress and Healer” and “The Dark Age of Love.”

Challenging herself is one of Billy’s strongest qualities, with the last challenge being her very recent dive into the terrifying world of stand up comedy.

We can’t wait to see how she challenges our performers!

vincent van nieuwenhuyze

Vincent is also a fashion icon and consultant (you’ll never shop the same way again).

From the storybook streets of Ghent (Belgium), Vincent van Nieuwenhuyze has spent over 15 years weaving magic as an improv player, teacher, and coach, bringing scenes to life with warmth, wit, and a spark of the unexpected.

By day, Vincent is a project and process facilitator, navigating the corporate realm with the same creativity and playfulness that he uses on stage. By night (and whenever geek o'clock strikes), this proudly neurospicy dynamo dives headfirst into MMORPGs, commands epic Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and curates an ever-expanding anime watchlist worthy of full otaku status.

On stage, Vincent thrives on intimacy, energy, and authenticity, crafting moments that he wants you to remember. Years of true crime fascination have also unlocked a deliciously dark streak he's not afraid to embrace in his work.

Offstage, he helps others in unlocking their own creativity, keeping the "fun" in fundamentals, and exploring themes of gender and queerness through performance.

Whether he's teaching, slaying dragons (or just slaying), or leveling up online, Vincent lives by one motto: "You be you."

You hear that, improvisers? Bring your dragons.

Jochem meijer

You all saw the ball, too, right? Jochem’s object work is impeccable.

Jochem Meijer first started improvising in 1999, so one could reasonably say that he’s got over two centuries worth of experience.

Jochem is both a renowned improv teacher and a member of several groups, having taught at schools and companies within the Netherlands and all across Europe. You’ve probably run into him at a festival.

As a teacher and performer, Jochem loves making people click and focuses on elevating the whole group. His workshops are action-packed, so never expect to sit down for a long discussion. Jochem will get you moving and playing the entire time.

In his free time, Jochem tries to insert his improv skills into the online gaming world. Ask him about it for an in-depth explanation of what that means (beware!).

We are so pumped to nerd out about improv (and probably gaming) with Jochem!

cindy pittens

Cindy is a master of commitment. Look at that stage power!

Cindy Pittens is a vibrant Dutch improviser with a lifelong theatre background. Passionate about human development and improv, she studied Playful Social Work, Theatre/Comedy,and Innovative Training.

First diving into the improv realm in 2010, Cindy has taught professionally through her company, CP IMPRO, since 2016. She cites renowned teachers like Keith Johnstone, Joe Bill, Inbal Lori, and Shawn Kinley as early inspirations.

Cindy’s international career took off in 2023, teaching at the Short Notice Improv Festival (Oslo), IMPRO Amsterdam 2024, and Improteca (Bucharest). She has also performed in Romania, Greece, Ireland, and Egypt, and is part of Dutch improv group De Meneertjes.

Cindy loves when improvisers stay present, playing alive and vibrant characters rather than chasing humor. For Cindy, it’s all about true connection, honesty, and real expression.

If you are real, the audience will experience reality. We can’t wait to share Cindy’s reality.