Bedrijfs logo Bedrijfs logo
Jules van Iperen

Interview

From Side Job to Full Houses

Hansje van Welbergen chooses her passion

For ten years, Hansje van Welbergen (32) was a familiar face behind the scenes at Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg. With a deep love for art and culture, she found the perfect spot to be close to the fire in the Hospitality team. Nevertheless, her dream gnawed at her: a career as an opera singer.

At the beginning of 2024, she made the leap and fully embraced freelance life. Since then, she has been shining on stage in her solo performance Geen weg meer terug and in productions like Die Dreigroschenoper. How did she arrive at this step and what does it mean to transition from security to passion?

Adelaide Rosina Adelaide Rosina

From Hospitality to the Stage

“It seemed really cool to work here,” says Hansje. “The art and culture sector has always been my passion, no matter in what form. I thought: if I work here, I’ll be close to the fire.”

This thinking brought her to the hospitality team at Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg nearly ten years ago. It became a side job that not only provided financial security but also inspiration. “I attended so many performances and learned an incredible amount from them. It felt like the perfect place.”

However, doubt lingered. “The idea of letting everything go and working as a freelancer was exciting. Questions like: Is there enough work? Will doors open for me? were haunting my mind.”

The Leap to Independence

In early 2024, Hansje decided it was time to focus completely on her opera career. “Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg had been my financial and social safety net for years. But I noticed that my attention was divided in two places. That’s why I took the step to become a full-time freelancer.”

This decision did not come out of nowhere. Hansje had already built a solid foundation: right after graduating, she worked at Opera Zuid and the Groot Omroepkoor, and she was frequently called for special performances such as private concerts, weddings, parties, and funerals.

“From the moment I stopped, everything started flowing naturally. So far, I’ve had a steady stream of work, and I know: This was the right choice.”

Adelaide Rosina Adelaide Rosina

Challenges and Growth

The transition to freelancing also brought challenges. “At first, I was figuring out how to best divide my time. A lot came my way. And how do I deal with financial uncertainty?" By working hard and staying true to her passion, she found her way.

A Versatile Artist

Hansje describes herself as a versatile artist who is not afraid to experiment. “I like to contribute broadly and am not afraid to combine different genres.”

“Currently, I’m working on a musical theater production where we blend opera with drum & bass. Sometimes these genres clash, but they also complement each other beautifully. Director Yann Pieters and I asked ourselves: how can we surprise the audience? And how cool would it be if we could let two extremes melt together?”

The production, created in collaboration with Jonas van der Plas from the Rock Academy, will soon be reprised. On February 28, No Turning Back will be back on stage, in collaboration with Collectief Tragedie & Triomf and T*Agency.

Adelaide Rosina Adelaide Rosina

But first: The Threepenny Opera

Before that happens, Hansje will shine in Die Dreigroschenoper. “It’s a really cool, funny, accessible, and modern opera that makes you think.” The piece, a collaboration between composer Kurt Weill and writer Bertolt Brecht, remains confrontational and seductive even almost a century later. “Their ideas were groundbreaking at that time, and you can still feel that.”

Performances