After beginning his studies in Delft, Naaijen began looking for an opportunity to do local theatre. In 2008 he joined Theatergroep SPOT in The Hague where he has been in productions including Moulin Rouge, The Hunchback of Notre Dame,
Legally Blonde and annual Sinterklaas celebrations. He also got involved in set-building and behind the scenes work. “It’s really a passion and I try to do it as much as I can,” he said, “but it’s hard to make a living at it even if you are one of the best.”
Currently working on his thesis in software engineering, Naaijen saw that there is some crossover between the performing and his engineering pursuits. “In academia you often have to do presentations and the stage experience comes in handy. And my engineering experience comes in handy when I have to build lights, sound and sets.”
Naaijen said that performing is his passion and he will do it as long as it stays fun for him. “I love singing and the feeling I get when there are 300 people listening and responding to you,” he said. “The best thing is doing a scene that actually makes people cry.”
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