A 1957 church finds a new theatrical identity with ETC

A former church in Amsterdam has been transformed into a multi-purpose venue equipped with ETC lighting and control systems, supplied and installed by ETC dealer Controllux.

The Balkissoon Theater, located in Amsterdam Amstel, is a 550-seat venue housed in a church originally built in 1957. After years of disuse, developer Lenny Karamchand Balkissoon transformed the historic building into a multi-purpose venue designed to bring people together for theatre productions, dance performances, concerts, corporate events and community gatherings, alongside a hotel and restaurants.

The brief: ease of use and future readiness

For Balkissoon, the priority was to invest in a high-quality lighting system that was accessible and ready to meet future needs. The venue required a solution that was straightforward to operate while delivering the quality and flexibility demanded by a wide range of performances and events, at a price that suited the project's budget.

The system: ColorSource Fresnel V and ETCnomad Puck

To support this varied programme, 16 ETC ColorSource Fresnel V fixtures have been installed alongside an ETCnomad Puck controller. Controllux created customised Magic Sheets so that users of all experience levels can operate the system easily and without complications.

For Jelle van der Holst, Account Manager at Controllux, the installation marked his first independently managed project.

There was a real sense of trust throughout the process. Lenny believed in our expertise, and we believed in his vision for the space. That collaboration helped make the project a success, he explains.

A dancer's vision

Balkissoon grew up on a farm and worked as a professional dancer for 20 years before founding Chasse Dance Studios, which went on to become the world's largest privately owned dance centre.

When he was approached in 2011 about redeveloping the former church, he saw an opportunity to create more than just a performance venue. His vision was to preserve the building while turning it into a place where people could come together.

Transforming the church into a modern, multi-purpose venue required a lighting solution suited to its new functions. The selected ETC products provide the flexibility and reliability needed to support the venue's performances and events for years to come.