Biography
Marco Gerris was born in 1975 in the Philippines and grew up in Belgium. His childhood was dominated by versatility. He practised gymnastics and judo and played both the violin as well as saxophone. After secondary education, he attended the Herman Teirlinck Theatre School, the Higher Institute for Dance Pedagogy, and the Open Living Theatre in Antwerp.
In the late 1990s, Gerris settled in the Netherlands, developing as a dancer, skater, and actor. He became Dutch Freestyle Skating Champion and performed in various productions, including the musical called Endless (Eindeloos) and performances by AYA dance company. In Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, he built a network of performers from different disciplines. These encounters led to the founding of his own company in 2000, ISH Dance Collective (ISH). The name refers to the English suffix “-ish”, symbolising the hybrid style in which hip-hop dance and urban sports come together in a theatrical setting.
With unrelenting energy and curiosity, Gerris has built an impressive body of work with ISH. Over the past 25 years, the company has grown into an internationally renowned name, known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong connection with a young and diverse audience. He has created dozens of productions, including ISH (2000), Elements of Freestyle (2017), Hip-Hop Circus (2025), and Rhythm & Flow (2024). His co-productions with major companies such as Amsterdam Sinfonietta (Het Barre Land /The Barren Land, 2022), Dutch National Ballet (Narnia, 2015; GRIMM, 2018; Dorian, 2023), and the season opening of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra have also received widespread acclaim.
In addition to creating original productions, Gerris actively seeks dialogue with other disciplines and successfully bridges diverse worlds. He combines street styles with ballet, theatre, and classical music, demonstrating how art forms can enrich and strengthen one another. Through the ISH Academy, deeply rooted in juvenile culture, he guides and inspires children and young adults in discovering their creativity, talents, and identities. Within ISH’s talent development programme, he also continuously supports emerging artists and performers in their professional growth.
In 2020, Gerris received the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Award for his outstanding contribution to Dutch performing arts. In 2024, Rhythm & Flow was awarded the Swan (VSCD Dance Award) for the most impressive dance production of the year.
Marco Gerris lives and works in Amsterdam.
Marco Gerris at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of ISH Dance Collective (2025). Photo: Michel Schnater
Rhythm & Flow (2024), ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Rhythm & Flow (2024), ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Marco Gerris during rehearsals for Rhythm & Flow. Photo: Dominik Wagner
Elements of Freestyle (2017), ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Elements of Freestyle (2017), ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Elements of Freestyle (2017), ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Hiphop Circus (2025), ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Marco Gerris with ISH at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of ISH Dance Collective. Photo: Michel Schnater
Het barre land (2022), Amsterdam Sinfonietta and ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Het barre land (2022), Amsterdam Sinfonietta and ISH. Photo: Michel Schnater
Knock-Out (2021), Jakop Ahlbom Company, DeLaMar Theater and ISH. Foto: Bart Grietens
Knock-Out (2021), Jakop Ahlbom Company, DeLaMar Theater and ISH. Foto: Bart Grietens
Celebrating 25 Years of ISH Dance Collective. Photo: Michel Schnater
Marco Gerris backstage at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of ISH Dance Collective. Photo: Michel Schnater
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List of work Marco Gerris
PRODUCTIONS
2024–2025
Elements of Freestyle, international tour Europe, Asia, Australia, incl. Sydney Opera House
2025
Thor, in collaboration with Het Balletorkest, concept and direction with Joris Nassenstein and Jan Pieter Koch
Hip Hop Circus, concept and direction, choreography with the performers
Revival Het barre land, co-production with Amsterdam Sinfonietta, concept with Candida Thompson & choreography with the dancers
2024
Rhythm & Flow, concept and direction, choreography with the performers
Animatronics – human x machine, concept & direction with Remy van Kesteren and Jurjen Alkema, choreography with the dancers
Opening Concert Amsterdam 750 at Ziggo Dome, with Metropole Orkest, Zo! Gospel Choir and Making Waves, concept and choreography
2023
Dorian, direction & concept, co-production with Dutch National Ballet, concept and choreography with Ernst Meisner
Revival Knock Out, co-production with Jakop Ahlbom Company
FTBLL, can you kick it, concept and direction
2022
Revival Knock Out, co-production with Jakop Ahlbom Company
Het barre land, co-production with Amsterdam Sinfonietta
Elements of Freestyle, West End
2021
Knock Out, co-production with Jakop Ahlbom Company and DeLaMar, choreography
ISHterious, concept and direction
Rooftop Sessions, concept and direction
2020
Nachtraven, with Het Balletorkest, concept and direction with Joris Nassenstein and Jan Pieter Koch
2019
Elements of Freestyle, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Modern Samurai, direction & concept
2018
Grimm, co-production with Dutch National Ballet, concept and choreography with Ernst Meisner
2017
Elements of Freestyle, concept & direction, choreography with the performers
2016
Jungle Boek, with Jungle by Night, choreography
Creatures, with Het Balletorkest, concept and direction with Joris Nassenstein and Jan Pieter Koch
2014–2015
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, co-production with Dutch National Ballet, concept and choreography with Ernst Meisner
2014
Like it 4 Real, concept and direction
2012–2013
Hyperish, tour and Broadway revival, concept, direction and choreography with the performers
2012
JibberISH, direction and choreography with the performers
B’boying on Bach, co-production with VocaalLAB, direction
ISHtanbul, concept, direction and choreography with Duygu Etikan
2011
Yes, We Can Dance, concept & direction with Ernst Meisner
2010
MonteverdISH, A hip hop breakdance opera, co-production with VocaalLAB, direction and choreography with dancers
Herculish, concept, direction, choreography
Stormish: who the f** ISHakespeare*, concept, direction and leading role, co-direction with Titus Muizelaar
2009
Boyish/Girlish, concept and direction, choreography with the performers
2008
4-ISH, USA tour
2007
Mind the Gap, concept and choreography
2006–2007
Balls, concept and direction
2006
Showcase 4-ISH, China
4-ISH, international USA tour incl. Broadway New York
2005–2006
VirtualISH, direction with HKU
Dance Opera: Orpheus, co-production with Laurens Van Rooi, direction
W-ISH, follow-up production of Junior-ISH, direction
2004–2005
4-ISH, tour Cleveland and Minneapolis
Revival Freestylish
2003–2004
4-ISH, follow-up production of ISH, Netherlands and Europe, concept, direction, choreography with dancers
2004
Freestylish, direction Marie Rose Mayele and Marco Gerris
2002–2003
Tripple ISH, follow-up production of ISH, Netherlands and international, concept and direction, choreography with dancers
Heroish, co-production with Toneelgroep Amsterdam, direction
2002
ISH-Institute, birth of ISH Homebase
Equilibrium, Ryninks Films production, modern dance film Amsterdam, choreography and direction with Ruth Meyer
ISH2 Netherlands & Canada tour, concept, direction and choreography
Silver Jungle, youth production Circus Elleboog Amsterdam, direction
2001
Revival ISH Netherlands & Canada/USA tour
Finale of City, opening show of Nieuwe Luxor Theater Rotterdam (Mini & Maxi), choreography, direction: Jos Thie
2000–2001
Dynamix, Dance Group Krisztina de Châtel: dancer and choreography assistant, direction: Krisztina de Châtel
2000
ISH, concept, direction and choreography
AWARDS
2024
Zwaan (VSCD Dance Award) for Rhythm & Flow, Most Impressive Dance Production
2022
Lifetime Achievement Award, Prins Bernhard Culture Fund
2017
Silver Krekel for Elements of Freestyle, Most Impressive Stage Performance
2009
Nomination Amsterdam Prize, Amsterdam Arts Fund
2000
Nomination NPS Culture Prize
DANCE & MUSICAL
1998–1999
Tegentijd, Danstheater AYA, direction: Wies Bloemen
1998
Crossroads, dance production by Urgent Dance, direction: Wouter Brave
1997
Schrijntijd, Danstheater AYA, choreography: Wies Bloemen
Eindeloos, direction: Rob Hauser
FILMS
2017
Hitman’s Bodyguard, small role, direction: Patrick Hughes
2008
Hyperscape, martial arts/dance film, direction: Wilko Bello, choreography
2003
Wake Up Call, short film by Marc de Cloe (part of Friday the 14th series),
2002
Wheels of Fortune, self-made documentary about two skaters (Stylish Marco & Speedy Erik), direction: Wilko Bello
2000
Down, First Floor Features, direction: Dick Maas
JURY & TELEVISION
2024–2025
Projectdans, guest jury member; prize: a role in an ISH production
2015
The Freestyle Games, jury member
2010–2012
So You Think You Can Dance (Netherlands and Belgium), jury member
SKATING
1999
Dutch Champion Freestyle Skating (1st prize), Liptonice Inline Challenge, Zandvoort
1998–1999
Various skate demos & dance clinics across Europe for Rollerblade
1998
1st place Wheels, roller dance contest at Marcanti Plaza