I am a theatre maker, actor, and teacher working at the intersection of movement, remembrance and ritual.

Before studying at the Academy of Theatre and Dance (Mime, AHK), I completed a Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Amsterdam. This combination of science and performance has shaped my interdisciplinary approach.

My true passion for theatre started in 2004, when I joined DOX in Utrecht: a groundbreaking youth company blending contemporary dance and theatre. Those formative years led me to the Mime school at the ATD, where I cultivated my physical presence, artistic curiosity and expressive freedom.

Since then, I’ve worked across disciplines: as an actor, theatre maker, researcher and trainer. I’ve toured internationally and trained everyone from corporate leaders to emerging young talents. I teach regularly at different art schools and since 2024 I’ve been appointed as a permanent researcher at the Lectorate of the Academy of Theatre and Dance. My work focuses on social justice, inclusion, mental well-being and embodied knowledge.

As someone who bridges psychology and the arts, I bring a unique voice to everything I do: sensitive to group dynamics, committed to equity, and grounded in ritual and discipline. I also work with Wasjikwa, a Surinamese-Indigenous association in the Netherlands, where I help develop artistic visions and cultural collaborations.

Whether I’m in rehearsal, in the classroom, on stage, or at the Zen center, I keep returning to the same questions: What does it mean to show up fully? How do we transform pain into power? And how do we care for ourselves and each other, with strength and grace?

Selected Collaborations & Affiliations

Artistic Research & Social Engagement
– Research contributor to the ATD Lectorate on themes of regeneration, well-being, grief and decolonial practice
– Collaborator with Indigenous Network on cross-cultural knowledge exchange

Community & Indigenous Work
– Active member of Wasjikwa (Amsterdam) and Wajonong (Rotterdam)
– Involved in Surinamese-Indigenous cultural revival and ritual clothing making
– Participant in ancestral rituals and fieldwork in Suriname

Training & Coaching
– Guest trainer at Competence Factory
– Focus on creativity, innovation, leadership and attention (Fix je Focus)
– Tailored coaching for diverse teams and professionals

Academy of Theatre and Dance (AHK, Amsterdam)
– Teacher since 2012
– Graduate of the Mime Department (2011)
– Collaborator with ATD Lectorate & Platform 2025

University of Amsterdam
– MSc in Industrial & Organizational Psychology (2006)

You can see my work as an ongoing dialogue between embodied practice, ancestral memory, artistic research and mindful living.

Selected Theatre Collaborations

I have worked with a range of renowned theatre companies and makers in the Netherlands and abroad. My performance work moves between physical theatre, youth theatre, visual storytelling, and ritual performance. Highlights include:

Maas Theater & Dance: International tours with his youth theatre creations, including performances at: IPAY Showcase (Philadelphia, USA), Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children (Cairo, Egypt), ASSITEJ World Congress (Seoul, South Korea)

Schweigman&: Awarded the VSCD Mime Prize 2018 for For the Time Being, a collaboration with Slagwerk Den Haag. Visceral, sensory performance art rooted in stillness, sound, and physicality.

BonteHond: Bold, imaginative youth theatre known for addressing societal themes with humor and heart.

Golden Palace: Physical theatre blending poetic realism and surreal movement-based storytelling.

DOX: The company where Dwayne began his journey as a performer, later returning as a collaborator. Interdisciplinary work combining theatre, hip-hop, and dance.

Jakop Ahlbom Company: Visually inventive theatre merging mime, illusion, and the absurd.

Theater Utrecht: Performances in both classical repertoire and innovative site-specific work.

Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.): International recognition of his youth theatre work, with performances presented in the U.S.

Grote Mensen (Grown Ups)

Grote Mensen is a youth theatre company founded by Dwayne Toemere, together with Lisa Groothof and Yannick Greweldinger. Emerging from the Dutch mime tradition at Amsterdam School of the Arts, this physical ensemble crafts playful, philosophical, and subtly absurd performances for children and adults alike. They begin with questions a child might ask about friendship, identity, or even death and weave them into eccentric, movement-driven theatre that honors the emotional intelligence of young audiences.

For more info about performances and playing dates: vanaf2.nl

Skeletje (Little Skeleton) by Grote Mensen in co-production with Maas Theater & Dance – premiere October 11, 2025

Skeletje is a poetic, playful, and heartfelt celebration of life, death, and remembrance; designed for young audiences aged 6+.

Inspired by Día de los Muertos, this performance invites the whole family into a colorful memorial where skele­tons dance, suitcases become altars, and flowers sprout from thin air. Through gentle slapstick, music, and visual magic, two performers guide us on a journey between the living and the departed, crafting a joyful tribute that weaves together grief and celebration.

Experience a vibrant party for all beings, fleshy or bony, where we remember our loved ones, honor loss, and dance our way through sorrow into joy.

BOEF (CROOK) by Grote Mensen

A mischievous whodunit for little detectives aged 4-8! In BOEF, two tongue-in-cheek investigators, complete with black masks, playful mime antics, and clever slapstick, invite children into a suspenseful adventure. Who’s the real crook, how do you sneak like a shadow, and what mysteries lie inside that mysterious black box?

A hilarious blend of physical theatre and simple set design shines a light on big questions; and who knows, you might just end up helping solve the case!

Eitje (Egg-tion Hero) by Grote Mensen

Imagine an action film… with the world’s most boring action hero: an egg named Eitje. Nestled in a museum and guarded by two hilariously dry mime wardens, this “boring” egg sparks an unexpectedly thrilling chase. Using playful minimalism, slapstick, and everyday props, “Eitje” transforms the mundane into an energetic, wordless adventure.

Perfect for toddlers aged 3-6, Eitje is a 35-minute burst of physical comedy and imaginative magic. Dive into this whimsical journey and discover how simple can be spectacular!